The Obesity Research Center (ORC) offers awareness programs and training sessions that focus on the education of the general public.

Erroneously, the problem of obesity is considered by many to be an individual or a personal issue, where the obese patient is held responsible for their problem. This is not the case: obesity is a multifactorial condition with many contributing factors. An individual's choices are only one aspect of the problem. Societal norms influence behavior and eating habits and have contributed to the alarming increase in prevalence of obesity. Obesity is therefore not a personal choice, but a serious and complex life threatening disease that deserves community-based education and medical attention.

Accordingly, the ORC has realized the importance of public awareness and is actively involved in such community-related activities as:

Organization and participation in public workshops, lectures and seminars about obesity and its complications.

Distribution of easy-to-read educational materials in the form of illustrated booklets, flyers, brochures, posters, and newsletters that clearly explain the condition, its prevention and treatment.

Public awareness campaigns, exhibitions and competitions targeting obesity in the mass media.

The ORC has successfully undertaken two campaigns that were instrumental in increasing public awareness of the extent and nature of the problem in our community. These programs highlighted the preventive measures that can be adopted to prevent obesity and served as a platform to inform patients regarding treatment options.

Public awareness campaigns have also been conducted at schools to educate children to make healthy choices when eating and to illustrate the type of physical activity they should engaged in. Collectively, the center aims to provide programs that emphasize healthy nutrition, physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight – it does not only promote an anti-obesity message.