“I just wanna stay home and eat chips”, an infamous quote that Mackenzie Ziegler said in season 1 episode 4 of the Lifetime show Dance Moms. This quote gives society a glimpse of what most people would rather do then go outside and be active. Being active and eating healthy is not what the normal person is focusing on day to day. Technology has also had a huge factor in many obese people, many would rather stay inside and watch television then go for a run. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013–2014, more than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight.” Obesity is a complex entity that can have many causes; some are endocrine (like thyroid malfunction or hyperfunctioning of the adrenal gland-Cushing’s syndrome) but often the condition is from a combination of inactivity and overeating.” Overeating has become a huge part of our society by making bigger portions. Inactivity is also a big part because, with all of our technology, someone would rather stay on there phone or watch Netflix than go outside and do something active.

Obesity, like other diseases, impairs the body from

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doing everyday tasks. People who are obese have an excess amount of fat tissue that can cause an overproduction of leptin. Obesity can also impair body functions such as joint movement and mobility of the hips and knees.

Obesity in adults can decrease your life expectancy up to three years, and extreme obesity can shorten someone’s life up to ten years. The Surgeon General reports an estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributed to obesity. People who are obese have a 50-100% increased risk of death from all causes. Death rates dramatically go up when comparing obese to non obese person.

Many physicians have referred to obesity as a disease. Even physicians from the early 17th centuries referred to obesity as a disease. English physician Thomas Sydenham (1624-1689) wrote, “Corpulency [obesity] may be ranked amongst the diseases arising from original imperfections in the functions of some of the organs.”

On June 18, 2013, the American Medical Association adopted a policy recognizing obesity as a chronic disease state. The AMA House Delegates (HOD) voted on a resolution to adopt a new policy recognizing obesity as a “disease requiring a range of medical interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention.”

Are there pros to classifying obesity as a disease?

“Classifying obesity as a disease will reduce weight bias. It means that medical students and residents will receive training in what obesity is and in the best treatment approaches. This clarifies that it’s a chronic disease, not a personal issue or responsibility, said by Dr. Lazarus during an AMA reference committee hearing.” “Second, recognizing obesity as a disease will improve health outcomes for millions of individuals.”

Since the AMA published obesity as a disease there has been many positive outcomes like:

• improved training at medical schools and residency programs
• reduced stigma by the public and physicians
• improved insurance benefits
• increased research funding for prevention and treatment 

Even though obesity can be looked at something you can change over time, you still need to look at it like a disease and support the person you know by helping them eat a balanced diet, gets regular physical activity, attend to other aspects of lifestyle that influence health, and makes use of appropriate preventive medical services.

 So, are there cons to clarifying obesity as a disease?

Yes, there are always cons to anything you do, clarifying obesity as a disease can scare some people to thinking there is a something abnormally wrong with them. Which isn’t the case at all and obesity can be treated by several different options. Just because it would be classified as a disease does not mean it is not treatable.

So how can eating health help someone who is obese?

Calories matter and some foods make it easier for us to keep our calories in check. Healthy eating is a good key to maintaining a healthy weight.

What to Eat

Choose minimally processed, whole foods:

• 

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  Whole grains (whole wheat, steel cut oats, brown rice, quinoa)

• Vegetables (colorful variety-not potatoes)
• Whole fruits (not fruit juices)
• Nuts, seeds, beans, and other healthful sources of protein (fish and poultry)
• Plant oils (olive and other vegetable oils)

Drink water or other beverages that are naturally calorie-free.

Limit these foods and drinks:

• Sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks)
• Fruit juice (no more than a small amount per day)
• Refined grains(white bread, white rice, white pasta) and sweets
• Potatoes (baked or fried)
• Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and processed meats (salami, ham, bacon, sausage)
• Other highly processed foods, such as fast food

If you try and limit what your eating and try to eat a little bit healthier every week you can slowly start maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Classifying Obesity as a disease can improve someone’s lifestyle dramatically. By saying they have something wrong can push them to want to make a change which can lead to a happier and healthier life.

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