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WHY SEVERE OBESITY IS CONSIDERED A DISEASE?

Severe obesity, also called morbid obesity (Body Mass Index / BMI 30+) is considered a disease because it is a complex medical condition that affects multiple systems in the body and leads to various health problems. Here are key reasons why it is classified as a disease:

  1. Severe Obesity is a Chronic Condition. Severe obesity is a long-term chronic condition that typically requires ongoing management and treatment. It does not resolve on its own and most often without intervention over time and ageing worsens.
  2. Metabolic and Hormonal Disregulation. Obesity causes imbalances in hormones like insulin, leptin, and ghrelin, leading to problems with appetite control, energy use, and fat storage. These metabolic changes make it harder for individuals to lose weight without medical intervention and lead to various complications.
  3. Associated Health Risks. Severe obesity significantly increases the risk of other chronic diseases, so called "co-morbidities”,  including type 2 diabetes, coronary and heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, PCOS, miscarriage, certain cancers, back and joint problems and. other. These conditions are often life-threatening and impact overall quality of life.

4. Genetic, Environmental, and Behavioural Factors. Obesity is influenced by a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, behavioural choices, psychological and mental health, specific physiological factors, other diseases and medications. This complexity makes it similar to other diseases that involve multiple contributing factors.

5. Impact on Mental Health. Obesity is often linked to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, further complicating the individual's ability to manage the condition on their own.

6. Affected Social and Work Life. People with severe obesity often avoid socialising, and this can impact their family and social life, hobbies and even their professional lives.

 

SEVERE OBESITY IS CLASSIFIED AS A DISEASE BY SEVERAL LEADING HEALTH ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING: 

  • American Medical Association (AMA). In 2013, the AMA officially recognised obesity as a disease, acknowledging its complex causes and the significant impact it has on health.
  • World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO classifies obesity as a global health issue and a chronic disease, due to its role in increasing the risk of many other diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also treats obesity as a serious chronic disease that requires medical attention and intervention.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH classifies severe obesity as a disease that leads to significant health risks and complications, requiring various treatment approaches.

These organisations recognise severe obesity as a disease because it involves abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that impairs health and requires medical management.

Classifying severe obesity as a disease underscores the need for medical treatment, including lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes even surgery, to manage it effectively. This classification also helps reduce the stigma, emphasising that obesity is not solely a matter of willpower but a medical condition requiring care and support.

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