Friday, May 22, 2026 / Le vendredi 22 mai 2026

PLENARY SESSION #3 / SÉANCE PLÉNIÈRE #3
CABPS Top Research and Video Abstracts
Les meilleures recherches et résumés vidéo du CABPS

1:21pm – 1:29pm / 13h21 – 13h29

12-month virtual group program to reduce weight stigma and increase behaviour-related self-confidence

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how internalized weight stigma and self-blame negatively impact behaviour-related self-confidence in adults living with obesity, and recognize measurable indicators of change in a virtual group program setting.
• Identify the key components of a structured 12-month virtual group education and support model, including session format, topic domains, and outcome measurement methodology.
• Apply findings from this program's statistically significant outcomes, including reduced self-judgment and improved confidence in sustaining health behaviours, to inform the design or adoption of scalable, patient-centred obesity care interventions.

Speaker: 

Ms. Priti Chawla

Founder & Executive Director
Obesity Matters | Parlons Obésité

Priti Chawla is the Founder & Executive Director of Obesity Matters | Parlons Obésité, a bilingual Canadian patient advocacy nonprofit dedicated to advancing stigma-free, evidence-based obesity care. Inspired by her own lived experience with weight stigma, she built the organization into an internationally recognized, community-driven model grounded in compassion and connection.

Priti leads policy advocacy at both provincial and federal levels and has presented community-based research at leading conferences, including the Canadian Obesity Summit and  ObesityWeek. She is a passionate advocate for centering lived experience in clinical, policy, and research conversations, working to ensure people living with obesity have access to equitable, respectful care.

In 2025, Obesity Matters received the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force Award for excellence in obesity prevention and management.
 

Programme de groupe virtuel de 12 mois pour réduire la stigmatisation liée au poids et accroître la confiance en soi liée au comportement

Présidente : 

Mme Priti Chawla

Founder & Executive Director
Obesity Matters | Parlons Obésité

Priti Chawla is the Founder & Executive Director of Obesity Matters | Parlons Obésité, a bilingual Canadian patient advocacy nonprofit dedicated to advancing stigma-free, evidence-based obesity care. Inspired by her own lived experience with weight stigma, she built the organization into an internationally recognized, community-driven model grounded in compassion and connection.

Priti leads policy advocacy at both provincial and federal levels and has presented community-based research at leading conferences, including the Canadian Obesity Summit and  ObesityWeek. She is a passionate advocate for centering lived experience in clinical, policy, and research conversations, working to ensure people living with obesity have access to equitable, respectful care.

In 2025, Obesity Matters received the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force Award for excellence in obesity prevention and management.