Obesity... Is it really a Disease?

In a 2011-2012 survey 68.5% of adults in the U.S. have excess weight, 34.9% were affected by obesity, and 6.4% had severe or morbid obesity.

The Official Statement
In June 2013, The American Medical Association declared obesity as a disease in its “Resolution 420” stating the “American Medical Association recognizes obesity as a disease state with multiple pathophysiological aspects requiring range of interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention.”

Disease Definition
To further analyze the legitimacy of naming obesity a disease, let’s take a look at the definition of disease itself. As proposed by the American Medical Association, these are the characteristics of disease:

1. “An impairment of the functioning of some aspect of the body”
2. “Demonstrates characteristic signs and symptoms”
3. “Causes harm and morbidity”