Post 7: Is Obesity a Disease?

Obesity is a multifactorial condition characterized by excessive fat action or general hypertrophy in the adipose tissue of the body.  The OMS defines it, as when a person´s body mass index is equal to or greater than 30 kg/m².  Although it is an individual condition, it has become a public health problem that is increasing in the society.

In the clinical setting it is classified as a chronic disease and a metabolic syndrome, since it has a risk factor to health and life. Obesity generates predisposition to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, cancer, among many others.

But, the obesity is really a disease?

The American Medical Associations identified three criteria to define disease:

1) An impairment of the normal functioning of some aspect of the body.

2) Characteristic signs and symptoms

3) Harm or morbidity.

According to specialists, obesity meets these characteristics.

It makes those who suffer from it, not able to do their life normally due to the physical limitation that cause.  Also, cause problems in the mental health, as eating disorder or depression.

Do not forget that as already mentioned, it can cause death by diseases associated with this condition.

Many say that it is not a disease, because it is an effect due to bad habits, such as eating too much or being sedentary. Like others who argue that it is caused by hormonal diseases or drug treatments that cause obesity as a side effect. But first of all, there are many diseases that are caused by bad habits (for example, eating too many things with sugar causes diabetes or drinking too much alcohol causes sirrosis) Second, it has been shown that with a healthier life or with other mechanisms, you can counteract the secondary effect of hormonal diseases or by pharmacological treatments.
In conclusion, obesity is undoubtedly a chronic disease, which carries a risk factor to the health of people and it is very dangerous to relativise it taking into account that it is a condition that grows day by day in the population.