Obesity is a Disease
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Why Obesity Should be Considered a Disease

Obesity: What is it?

Excess bodily fat is a sign of obesity. It is a complicated, long-term illness that can impair your general well-being and standard of living. Serious medical complications can result from obesity. Your mental health and sense of self-worth may be impacted.

You are not alone if you suffer from obesity. It’s a prevalent condition that affects 2 in 5 individuals in the United States. A medical professional can assist you in determining the best course of action for your body and health.

Do medical professionals consider obesity to be a disease?

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), obesity is a disease with behavioral, metabolic, and hereditary components that calls for medical intervention. First made in 2013, the decision was reaffirmed in 2023.

The American Medical Association said that it published this updated definition to have a good impact on the healthcare system, public policy, and individuals who suffer from obesity, even if there is still disagreement on the diagnostic criteria for the condition.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is a severe chronic illness that requires both adult and child preventive and intervention measures.

Some medical communities and other nations, including the UK, are still debating the issue. Some medical professionals are reluctant to classify obesity as a disease for the following reasons:

Absence of diagnostic standards: When a condition is classified as a disease, it means that specific requirements must be fulfilled to be diagnosed. Obesity doesn’t have any distinct symptoms, and it doesn’t always result in the same impairments to bodily functions. It could be more challenging to classify obesity as a disease due to the absence of standardized diagnostic standards.

Inconsistent measurement standards: Physicians may not always be able to diagnose obesity using indexes and criteria for measuring obesity since they may not apply to all individuals, such as weightlifters and endurance athletes. To put it another way, being heavier does not automatically indicate that a person is obese.

Health in general as a factor: Although obesity has several negative effects on the body and may raise the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease, not all obese people experience these symptoms or health issues. Furthermore, obesity does not develop in all people with health issues.

Patient responsibility and governmental policies: Some individuals may be concerned that categorizing obesity as an illness may remove responsibility away from the person and encourage a sense that lifestyle standards a has the sickness, will be less helpful. Instead, some people may turn to weight loss drugs or medical treatments to lose weight. Public and insurance policies may be updated to reflect these developments.

Increased discrimination might be a consequence: Some organizations, such as the Fat Acceptance at Every Size movement and the International Size Acceptance Association, are concerned that designating obesity as an illness may allow others to further divide and categorize people based on weight factors.

What are the methods for measuring obesity?

A person’s optimum weight is determined by a variety of factors, including age, height, exercise level, and any pre-existing medical issues. In general, the higher your weight, the more adipose tissue (fat) you possess. Excess adipose tissue is often unhealthy. The body mass index (BMI) is a statistic used by health experts to determine if your body weight is healthy. In general, a higher BMI increases your chances of being classed as overweight or obese.

What is the measure’s effectiveness? “Body mass index does not directly measure body fat, but it is correlated with direct measures of body fat that can be obtained through DEXA scans (DXA), underwater weighing, bioelectric impedance, skin fold thickness measurements, and other methods,” Dr. Blair says. “[BMI] is the measurement that is generally used because it correlates well and is an easy measurement,” he continues.

However, it should be noted that BMI does not differentiate between different kinds of bodily tissue. Your BMI will therefore probably be higher and not fairly reflect your general health if you have more muscle mass.

Your BMI is determined by dividing your height in meters squared by your weight in kilograms. For example, you are 1.65 meters tall if you are 5’4″. Additionally, this equals 68 kilograms if your weight is 150 pounds. You would have a BMI of 25, or 68 divided by 1.65. Numerous internet calculators, like this one from the National Institutes of Health, may do this computation for you.

Your BMI may be used to categorize obesity. According to the BMI scale:

  • An underweight person has a BMI of less than 18.5.
  • A BMI of at least 18.5 but below 25 is considered normal.
  • Being overweight is defined as having a BMI of at least 25 but less than 30.
  • A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more is considered obese.

Three more categories are frequently used to further categorize BMIs in the obese range:

  • A BMI between 30 and 35 is considered class 1 obesity.
  • A BMI between 35 and 40 is considered class 2 obesity.
  • A BMI over 40 is considered class 3 obesity. Another name for this is “severe obesity.”

Keep in mind that the aforementioned ranges pertain to adults. Although BMI is also utilized, the classification of obesity in children and teens is a little different.

The existence or lack of health issues brought on by obesity is another factor to take into account.

Obesity has several medicinal and surgical treatment options. Among these is bariatric surgery, which could be the best course of action. However, it also has a lot of potentially dangerous issues. Because of this, bariatric surgery is only recommended for those whose weight loss is really necessary.

How Does a Disease Get Defined?

The word “disease” is often used by both the general public and medical experts. Surprisingly, though, there isn’t a single, widely accepted meaning for the term.

In the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, researchers Stanley Heshka, Ph.D., and David Bradley Allison, Ph.D., popularised one of the world’s most often used meanings. Four criteria were included in their definition of disease:

  • A state or modification of the body, organs, or bodily components.
  • Infections, environmental factors, nutritional variables, genetic factors, and other factors can all contribute to a disease.
  • Professionals can recognize a set of signs or symptoms that are indicative of a disease.
  • A disease occurs when a portion of the body deviates from its typical form or function.
  • This definition of illness is used by many medical practitioners, but it is not widely recognized since there isn’t one.

What leads to obesity?

The reasons for obesity might differ greatly from person to person. This disease may be influenced by heredity, the environment, sleep quality, and other factors.

An excessive increase in weight might result from specific dietary and activity habits. Over time, consuming more energy than one needs might result in obesity. Weight gain might also result from sleep deprivation.

Obesity can also be influenced by genetics. Genes that facilitate weight growth may be inherited by certain people. Obesity risk can also be raised by genetic disorders such as Prader-Willi syndrome.

Lastly, the likelihood of excessive weight gain may be elevated by underlying medical disorders. Weight gain is a symptom of both Cushing syndrome and hypothyroidism. Weight gain may also be caused by medications like steroids or certain antidepressants.

Broader Consequences of Treating Obesity as a Medical Condition:

The American Medical Association highlighted the following advantages of treating obesity as a disease at the time of its designation:

  • Enhanced instruction on obesity in residency programs and medical colleges,
  • decreased societal and medical stigma associated with obesity,
  • enhanced insurance coverage for treatments targeted to obesity, and
  • More money for studies on preventative and treatment methods.

Obesity is being framed increasingly as an illness by the emergence of novel medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are highly popular. The general public often assumes that every illness has a matching drug to treat it. As more patients enquire about these drugs, it might be beneficial to inform them that this illness calls for a multifaceted strategy that may include treating lifestyle problems as well.

How can individuals manage obesity?

People with obesity can benefit from a wide range of resources and treatment choices. Typical methods of treating obesity include:

  • A customized weight-loss regimen
  • changes in lifestyle
  • Drugs that can help people lose weight
  • Surgery for weight loss
  • For those who suffer from obesity, treating underlying medical disorders can also help them lose weight.
  • People might see a healthcare provider to find out more about how to deal with obesity.

How are obesity diagnoses made by medical professionals?

During your visit, your doctor will take your height, weight, and waist circumference. They could do body composition tests such as bioelectrical impedance analysis or a bone density test scan. This test uses the speed at which an electrical current flows through your body to determine your body composition. They will want to know about your general health more than anything else. They will enquire about:

  • Your past medical history, including ailments and drugs used to treat them. They could enquire about the health of your biological relatives.
  • Your weight history, including how well any weight-loss techniques have worked for you.
  • Your way of life, including your present eating patterns, sleeping patterns, and level of daily exercise.
  • Your mental health. They could enquire about stress and other issues that might have an impact on your mental health. Eating more might result from stress and other problems.

In addition to checking your vital signs, your doctor could prescribe certain blood tests. To diagnose obesity and any associated disorders, they will use your entire profile.

Conclusion

Obesity is classified as a chronic condition by several medical and health organizations, such as the AMA and CDC. This definition aims to provide precise methods for preventing and treating health issues associated with obesity.

Other medical professionals, private organizations, and nations may disagree or be reluctant to classify obesity as an illness. The absence of diagnostic standards, the potential for weight stigma to worsen, and the variations in the health of obese individuals are some of the causes.

Obesity and overweight are associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, according to research and clinical data. Nevertheless, physicians are unable to identify any particular traits or symptoms that are exclusive to obesity.

FAQs

For what reason is obesity regarded as a disease?

Being obese is more than simply a cosmetic issue. This medical condition raises the risk of several other illnesses and health issues. Heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, liver disease, sleep apnoea, and several types of cancer are among them.

What makes obesity an issue?

Excessive fat deposits are a sign of being overweight. Excessive fat deposits that can harm health are the hallmark of obesity, a chronic complicated condition. Obesity can damage bone health and reproduction, raise the risk of certain malignancies, and increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Why can’t people choose to be obese?

Losing weight requires more than just cutting back on food and increasing physical activity since obesity is a complicated chronic illness. Indeed, genetics, physiology, environment, occupation, education, and brain activity can all have an impact on obesity.

Which ten factors contribute to obesity?

Insufficient exercise…
unwholesome eating habits…
not get enough restful sleep.
An excessive level of tension.
Health issues, genetics, medications, and your surroundings.

Which five signs indicate obesity?

Shortness of breath.
Increased perspiration.
Snoring.
Trouble engaging in physical exercise.
Frequently experiencing extreme fatigue.
Back and joint aches.
Poor self-esteem and confidence.
Feeling alone.

Is it possible to treat obesity?

The secret to reducing obesity is cutting calories and adopting better eating practices. The safest method of weight reduction is thought to be gradual weight loss over an extended period, even if you may lose weight fast initially. It’s also the most effective method for permanently losing weight. The optimal diet for losing weight doesn’t exist.

Is mental illness a factor in obesity?

Although obesity is not a mental ailment in and of itself, it is strongly linked to several mental health conditions.

Is obesity a medical condition? Why?

Obesity is seen as a complex illness with a significant hereditary component. Numerous hormonal, metabolic, psychological, cultural, and behavioral elements contribute to weight gain and fat storage function on a hereditary basis.

References

  • Obesity Medicine Association. (2024, July 29). Why Obesity is a Disease: Unpacking the controversy and causes. Obesity Medicine Association. https://obesitymedicine.org/blog/why-is-obesity-a-disease/
  • Silva, S. (2024, February 9). Is obesity a disease? What experts say. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/is-obesity-a-disease#takeaway
  • Farnsworth, C. (2023, October 5). Obesity: Is it a disease? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-obesity-a-disease#faq
  • Clinic, C. (2025, January 7). Is obesity a disease? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/obesity-is-now-considered-a-disease
  • Obesity. (2024, October 29). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11209-weight-control-and-obesity

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