Obesity Is a Disease
Obesity Is a DiseaseThe current standard for measuring Obesity is in context to body Mass Index
( BMI).To calculate BMI, the height of a person is taken in inches and multiplied by itself. Then, the weight in pounds is divided by height calculation. The person who has BMI exceeding 30 is considered obese and one with BMI of 40 or more is considered as Morbid obese.
The IRS (Internal Revenue Service, US department of treasury ) has declared obesity as a disease in April 2002, after strong recommendations from American Obesity Association. This allows the American taxpayers to deduct the cost of weight loss treatments prescribed by a doctor. Before the declaration, such costs treatment could be deducted only if it was prescribed by a doctor to treat another health condition.
But health programs, such as medicare do not reimburse for diet programs, nutritional counseling or drugs.
Both the medical practitioners and insurance industry people think Obesity as a personal drawback or behavioral issue or a personal choice as to not to exercise and reduce calorie intake
None the less, the fact remains that Obesity is the breeding ground for many potential disease such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, cancer, Gallstone, osteoporosis and many more. At the same time, Obese people may be perfectly healthy.
Some people are of the opinion that if Obesity was a disease it should have a cure. But one can come to normal weight only through personal responsibility and common sense. On the other hand, the fact that people do die from eating disorder cannot be ignored.
Contrary to this, some people suggest that Obesity is a disease just like Alcoholism. Earlier even alcoholism was not considered to be a disease but personal weakness. Many alcoholic people have got treatment and support for their condition as it has been declared as a serious disease.
The modern scientists say that Obesity is a complex disease in its own right.
In words of Arthur Frank, medical director of George Washington University’s Weight Management Program, “Obesity is a disease where there’s a disregulation of eating – just like diabetes is a disease where the system of controlling blood sugar is not functioning properly.”
If Obesity is declared as a disease (not only for tax purposes),it will open up insurance coverage to millions of Obese people who need treatment for weight problems and speed the approval of new diet drugs
However, obesity cannot be ignored. And most obese persons have a desire to lead a normal life. That’s where surgical options for curing obesity step in.
