It's time for a change...
Each and every day people all over the world are suffering and dying from obesity related diseases and the statistics are staggering. In Australia alone, every single day:
- Approximately 280 people are diagnosed with Diabetes
- Approximately 150 people die from preventable lifestyle related diseases directly linked to obesity
For most people, these statistics come as no surprise, but I fear we are in danger of becoming ‘numb’ to these statistics; these are not just numbers, they are lives and for those of us working in the weight management industry, we see the impact that obesity has on our clients and patients, as well as those closest to them.
We believe our members and community of professionals all share a common vision and a passion for making a difference and if the future is going to be different, it is up to us to unite as an industry, share knowledge and work together to bring about change.
We have to continue to step away from the current model of approaching obesity prevention and weight management from an industry biased perspective to a holistic and multi-faceted approach for long term and sustainable results for our clients and the future health of Australia, and the world.
Our vision is to raise the bar in the Weight Management Industry as we are appalled that a country that is so adversely affected by obesity and lifestyle preventable diseases continues to allow the weight loss industry to be unregulated.
Our goal, through Global Weight Management Federation, is to unite the current and future leaders of the weight management industry; leaders that will have both the practical experience and education to assist their clients to achieve long term and sustainable results, not from an industry biased perspective, but from the perspective of what is in the best interests of each individual client’s needs, wants and goals.
Unfortunately, with so many micro industries sitting under the banner of ‘weight management’ there is currently too much emphasis on singular areas of expertise believing ‘it’ to be the best modality or program for all clients. Having come from these micro industries and seeing how little impact has been made, we can wholeheartedly say that this approach is not working….and the proof is in the continuing increase in overweight and obesity rates across Australia and the world.
We know we may ruffle a few feathers by saying that, but we will continue setting our clients up for failure if we don’t help them to somehow join the dots.
Something needs to change and it needs to change now, and by bringing together like-minded and passionate professionals through the Global Weight Management Federation community, we know we can continue to create the ripples that will eventually create a movement of ongoing change. We believe all weight management practitioners have a role to play in the future of the weight management industry and the health of this great nation.
A quote for those who believe in challenging the status quo:
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy. How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels? While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do…”
― Jack Kerouac