Obesity: A Disease?

This is a very sensitive and sore subject for a lot of people, and I am going to do my best not to offend anyone. I have very mixed feelings on the matter of the, AMA (American Medical Association), naming Obesity as a disease. While it has been deemed a disease by the AMA that does not make it a legal disease, it will just bring more attention to those affected by obesity, and open a door way to treatments.

I myself was obese according to BMI charts a little over a year ago. And as far as treatments go for the "disease", the best cure I found was proper diet and food portions, with a side of exercise. And for many that is also the answer. I understand that for some that is a difficult task, and they use more invasive things like surgery...which is okay too. I have no beef with people that elect to have weight loss surgery. I do not think its the easy way out. To me that seems harder than working out. I hate doctors and hospitals.

But to me if I was obese and a doctor told me I was "diseased" I would be highly offended. It just seems so...I don't know...demeaning to say it is a disease. It's not. It is self induced. It is caused from overeating and laziness. At least it was in my case. I'm not saying that's the same for everyone else. But in most cases it is. And as far as the "genetics" part people claim has to do with their obesity, I call BULL. Genes play a small part in weight gain or loss. But they are not to blame for being obese.

While I may not be totally for this whole Obesity is a disease thing, I am also not totally against it. I like that all this attention for obesity will open new doors for research, as well as bring attention to the epidemic of obesity that is sweeping the United States. Statistics show that 1 out of 3 Americans is obese! That is crazy...a third of the population is obese! But it's not hard to believe either. I also hope that better health care for those that are obese will come of this, and maybe more options for help with weight loss. Maybe there will be more access through health care for nutrition guidance, exercise opportunities, and even easier access to surgery for those that choose.

Like I said...this is a touchy subject and I was nervous about writing it. In the end the only way to help end obesity is to educate people about proper nutrition and exercise.

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