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despite its prevalence, adequate treatment for obesity remains elusive for many canadians. today, less than 20 per cent of employer-sponsored drug plans cover anti-obesity medications.
for elia, who had difficulty receiving adequate care, the first step in her recovery was actually self-directed. she decided to “let go of the scale.” it’s a practice she still adheres to, and recommends to other people living with obesity.
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a major challenge involves shifting public perception surrounding the disease. many public and private drug plans treat obesity-related drugs as a lifestyle therapy, and as a result don’t cover them. elia knows there’s a lot of work to be done when it comes to how we address obesity.
“before we judge, we need to educate ourselves,” she continues. “right now, there are more than seven million canadians living with obesity. they are not lazy, undisciplined, or gluttonous. there is something going on. let’s come at it from a place of compassion, knowledge, and wanting to help.”
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