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AMA classifies obesity as a disease
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 2013-06-19 8:58 AM |
Pro  4174    Keller, Texas |  Subject: AMA classifies obesity as a diseaseYour thoughts? Is it a disease or a lack of self-control? I can see this have huge implications down the line with insurance providers. I know a lot of medical research has determined many genetic factors that may make someone prone to obesity, but in the end, don't we all have a responsibility to make smart choices, exercise and know when to push the plate away? |
| 2013-06-19 9:26 AM in reply to: dodgersmom |
Pro 4313 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by dodgersmom Your thoughts? Is it a disease or a lack of self-control? I can see this have huge implications down the line with insurance providers. I know a lot of medical research has determined many genetic factors that may make someone prone to obesity, but in the end, don't we all have a responsibility to make smart choices, exercise and know when to push the plate away? And businesses/business owners. This would have huge implications.....discrimination allegations, FMLA, etc. However, I think that businesses and insurance providers can mitigate a lot of this by providing wellness programs, EAP's, gym memberships (low or now cost). Then if the issues ever arise, the company (in good faith) can show they had programs in place but the employee failed to take advantage. But 100% disagree with it being a classified as a disease. |
| 2013-06-19 9:34 AM in reply to: bradleyd3 |
| Deep in the Heart of Texas | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease I'm not a doctor, but it seems to me that obesity is a symptom not a disease. |
| 2013-06-19 9:42 AM in reply to: bradleyd3 |
Champion 34263 Chicago | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by bradleyd3 Originally posted by dodgersmom Your thoughts? Is it a disease or a lack of self-control? I can see this have huge implications down the line with insurance providers. I know a lot of medical research has determined many genetic factors that may make someone prone to obesity, but in the end, don't we all have a responsibility to make smart choices, exercise and know when to push the plate away? And businesses/business owners. This would have huge implications.....discrimination allegations, FMLA, etc. However, I think that businesses and insurance providers can mitigate a lot of this by providing wellness programs, EAP's, gym memberships (low or now cost). Then if the issues ever arise, the company (in good faith) can show they had programs in place but the employee failed to take advantage. But 100% disagree with it being a classified as a disease. So what you have is self-imposed? BOOM! I too am against it being classified as a disease simply because I believe that while there are some people out there who are genetically predisposed to obesity, the bulk of people who are obese simply don't take care of themselves. I empathize with the people who are predisposed and do everything they can to avoid it but still end up obese, while I have no sympathy for those who are obese because they can't stop eating McDonald's or get up and go run or something. By classifying it as a disease, they're lumping the predisposed, for whom it's difficult to avoid, in with the people who aren't. That said, I guess it's similar to heart disease. A lot of people who have heart disease have it because they don't take care of themselves. And it's still classified as a `disease' ... |
| 2013-06-19 9:50 AM in reply to: Hook'em |
Champion 6999  Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Hook'em I'm not a doctor, but it seems to me that obesity is a symptom not a disease. I would agree with this. |
| 2013-06-19 10:33 AM in reply to: chirunner134 |
Regular 266 Ocala, FL | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease It's going to be interesting to see how the insurance companies respond to this. Does this mean that on obese person has a preexisting condition when they enter a new health benefits program? Are they not eligible for benefits because of it? Is this a gateway to adjust premiums for people based on their weight? I'm not well versed in how our health insurance system generally works, but I can see this as a game changer. |
| 2013-06-19 11:01 AM in reply to: dodgersmom |
Master 2725 Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease This is just another case of this county becoming more and more of a "woe is me" state. Listen up buttercup, you're fat because you are a lazy POS who lacks basic self control... you are not diseased. It sickens me that, as a society, we constantly try find a reason why "its not my fault" instead of just taking responsibility for our own actions and living with the consequences. |
| 2013-06-19 11:08 AM in reply to: Sous |
Expert 3126 Boise, ID | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease
Saw this on the news this morning. They listed the top four ways to "fight the disease".
1. Eat healthy 2. Exercise 3. Eat Less 4. Medication and Surgery
My money is on #4 being the reason for this new classification. Now the pharm companies can make all sorts of medication to fight the disease and insurance will have to pay to treat the disease. All absolutely ridiculous IMO. |
| 2013-06-19 11:09 AM in reply to: Sous |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Sous This is just another case of this county becoming more and more of a "woe is me" state. Listen up buttercup, you're fat because you are a lazy POS who lacks basic self control... you are not diseased. It sickens me that, as a society, we constantly try find a reason why "its not my fault" instead of just taking responsibility for our own actions and living with the consequences. Wow, that sentiment sounds so harsh. Yet, I don't find myself disagreeing with it. I'm curious to hear everyone else's thoughts on this. |
| 2013-06-19 11:15 AM in reply to: noelle1230 |
Master 2725 Washington, DC Metro | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by noelle1230 Originally posted by Sous This is just another case of this county becoming more and more of a "woe is me" state. Listen up buttercup, you're fat because you are a lazy POS who lacks basic self control... you are not diseased. It sickens me that, as a society, we constantly try find a reason why "its not my fault" instead of just taking responsibility for our own actions and living with the consequences. Wow, that sentiment sounds so harsh. Yet, I don't find myself disagreeing with it. I'm curious to hear everyone else's thoughts on this. Well, facts is facts... sugar coating them will only make the fat, fatter. I, of course, exempt the very small percentage of people that actually do have conditions which cause them to gain weight... but those folks make up the smallest of percentage of people who are fat. |
| 2013-06-19 11:36 AM in reply to: Sous |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease It was a slippery slope that started when the called alcoholism a disease. IMO, it is a behavior not a disease. Bahaviors and diseases both have symptom and certain people have predisposition towards the addiction. Obesity and alchoholism are 'diseases' that can be cured buy NOT doing some. Are there any other diseases that can be 'cured' by not doing something? |
| 2013-06-19 11:40 AM in reply to: Rogillio |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Rogillio It was a slippery slope that started when the called alcoholism a disease. IMO, it is a behavior not a disease. Bahaviors and diseases both have symptom and certain people have predisposition towards the addiction. Obesity and alchoholism are 'diseases' that can be cured buy NOT doing some. Are there any other diseases that can be 'cured' by not doing something? One could argue that you could "cure" heart disease by NOT eating crappy food. But I'm not sure that cure is really the right word here anyway. |
| 2013-06-19 11:44 AM in reply to: noelle1230 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by noelle1230 Originally posted by Rogillio It was a slippery slope that started when the called alcoholism a disease. IMO, it is a behavior not a disease. Bahaviors and diseases both have symptom and certain people have predisposition towards the addiction. Obesity and alchoholism are 'diseases' that can be cured buy NOT doing some. Are there any other diseases that can be 'cured' by not doing something? One could argue that you could "cure" heart disease by NOT eating crappy food. But I'm not sure that cure is really the right word here anyway. You could cure SOME heart disease with a change of diet.....but you still have IMers and marathoners who have heart attacks because of genetics. |
| 2013-06-19 12:10 PM in reply to: Rogillio |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Rogillio Originally posted by noelle1230 You could cure SOME heart disease with a change of diet.....but you still have IMers and marathoners who have heart attacks because of genetics. Originally posted by Rogillio It was a slippery slope that started when the called alcoholism a disease. IMO, it is a behavior not a disease. Bahaviors and diseases both have symptom and certain people have predisposition towards the addiction. Obesity and alchoholism are 'diseases' that can be cured buy NOT doing some. Are there any other diseases that can be 'cured' by not doing something? One could argue that you could "cure" heart disease by NOT eating crappy food. But I'm not sure that cure is really the right word here anyway. Yes, and those who are proponents of classifying obesity or alcoholism as diseases think they partly due to genetics also. That's kind of the point of their argument. |
| 2013-06-19 12:37 PM in reply to: noelle1230 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease I was going to touch on the alcoholism as a disease too, but it looks like it has been mentioned. I understand it's a very big issue for some people. Compulsion, addiction, obsession.. And even if it fits in the definition set forth by Webster for "disease", I will always have a hard time accepting that as a definition. Same goes with over eating. If I could have "will powered" my cancer away, I would have. I think you have a choice to drink or eat - even if it's a really HARD choice. |
| 2013-06-19 12:40 PM in reply to: noelle1230 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by noelle1230 Originally posted by Rogillio Originally posted by noelle1230 You could cure SOME heart disease with a change of diet.....but you still have IMers and marathoners who have heart attacks because of genetics. Originally posted by Rogillio It was a slippery slope that started when the called alcoholism a disease. IMO, it is a behavior not a disease. Bahaviors and diseases both have symptom and certain people have predisposition towards the addiction. Obesity and alchoholism are 'diseases' that can be cured buy NOT doing some. Are there any other diseases that can be 'cured' by not doing something? One could argue that you could "cure" heart disease by NOT eating crappy food. But I'm not sure that cure is really the right word here anyway. Yes, and those who are proponents of classifying obesity or alcoholism as diseases think they partly due to genetics also. That's kind of the point of their argument. I understand having a predisposition to obesity or alcholism. But it just seems to be to be giving people an excuse. If you have leukemia, you can't CURE it simply by changing your behavior. Smoke 2 packs a day of Lucky Strikes for 40 years and you will get cancer (like my Dad) but quitting smoking (after having his larynx removed) will not cure the cancer. |
| 2013-06-19 1:13 PM in reply to: Sous |
Pro 4313 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Sous sugar coating them will only make the fat, fatter Now THAT is funny..... |
| 2013-06-19 1:31 PM in reply to: Rogillio |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Rogillio Originally posted by noelle1230 I understand having a predisposition to obesity or alcholism. But it just seems to be to be giving people an excuse. If you have leukemia, you can't CURE it simply by changing your behavior. Smoke 2 packs a day of Lucky Strikes for 40 years and you will get cancer (like my Dad) but quitting smoking (after having his larynx removed) will not cure the cancer. Originally posted by Rogillio Originally posted by noelle1230 You could cure SOME heart disease with a change of diet.....but you still have IMers and marathoners who have heart attacks because of genetics. Originally posted by Rogillio It was a slippery slope that started when the called alcoholism a disease. IMO, it is a behavior not a disease. Bahaviors and diseases both have symptom and certain people have predisposition towards the addiction. Obesity and alchoholism are 'diseases' that can be cured buy NOT doing some. Are there any other diseases that can be 'cured' by not doing something? One could argue that you could "cure" heart disease by NOT eating crappy food. But I'm not sure that cure is really the right word here anyway. Yes, and those who are proponents of classifying obesity or alcoholism as diseases think they partly due to genetics also. That's kind of the point of their argument. Right, but we were talking about heart disease, not cancer. Point being that many verified diseases like heart disease, diabetes, etc. can be largely controlled by diet/exercise changes even though there is a genetic component and diet/exercise will not work 100% of time for 100% of the people. Those in favor of obesity as a disease feel that it can be described in exactly the same way. |
| 2013-06-19 1:35 PM in reply to: Sous |
Elite 6387 | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Sous This is just another case of this county becoming more and more of a "woe is me" state. Listen up buttercup, you're fat because you are a lazy POS who lacks basic self control... you are not diseased. It sickens me that, as a society, we constantly try find a reason why "its not my fault" instead of just taking responsibility for our own actions and living with the consequences. Thanks for letting me know that my mother is a POS. I'm still scratching my head why this post and poster are still here.
There are a whole myriad of reasons for obesity, lack of self control being just one of them. I always love it when police officers share their contempt for the people they are supposed to be serving and who pay their pay check. You are doing a grate job. But don't mind me... I'm just another POS with self control problems of my own... so I realize my opinion does not matter to you. |
| 2013-06-19 1:41 PM in reply to: Rogillio |
Elite 6387 | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by I understand having a predisposition to obesity or alcholism. But it just seems to be to be giving people an excuse. If you have leukemia, you can't CURE it simply by changing your behavior. Smoke 2 packs a day of Lucky Strikes for 40 years and you will get cancer (like my Dad) but quitting smoking (after having his larynx removed) will not cure the cancer. It doe snot have anything to do with Websters... it has to do with a condition that meets the criteria for the AMA to classify something as a disease. Alcoholism was classified as a disease in 1956 by the AMA, it was later recognized by the APA. Mentally, there is a whole host of behaviors that arise from obsessive compulsive thinking. To me it seems just naming addiction as a whole makes more sense regardless of substance used. A disease does not have to be deadly, curable, or have a predisposition. |
| 2013-06-19 1:42 PM in reply to: dodgersmom |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Torn. Hard to say if it should be or not. There are a lot of medical issues that come from being obese... the inability to walk far, heart disease, etc. While some people are predispositioned to be obese, more often than not a person's weight issues can be directly traced back to their eating habits, lack of exercises, and how they were raised (foods they were fed, etc.). I do think for many people being obese is a mental illness of sorts. They are unable to control what they eat, as they use food as drug to self-soothe. So should obesity be a disease or a mental illness? There are people who are obese to the point it affects their health and quality of life, and yet they keep eating, they need mental help, not lectures on what is healthy to eat and that they need to exercise. Which is why I think a lot of time surgery doesn't help in the long term. Sure, they lose the weight, then start to slowly gain it back because their mental addiction to food wasn't addressed. |
| 2013-06-19 1:44 PM in reply to: 0 |
Elite 6387 | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by Kido I was going to touch on the alcoholism as a disease too, but it looks like it has been mentioned. I understand it's a very big issue for some people. Compulsion, addiction, obsession.. And even if it fits in the definition set forth by Webster for "disease", I will always have a hard time accepting that as a definition. Same goes with over eating. If I could have "will powered" my cancer away, I would have. I think you have a choice to drink or eat - even if it's a really HARD choice. Nobody has a choice to eat or drink. We all die if we don't.
In fact... I'll just stay on this one.... so for everyone that has a handle on eating (I have been skinny all my life) what tells you to stop eating? In fact, why do you eat in the first place? Dead honest I wish I did not have to... because then I have to spend all this time and effort on the crapper, and I would love to just not have to do that at all. Something "tells" you to eat. Something "tells" you to stop.. if not we would all explode like a Monty Python character. There are many many healthy active people... even right here on this forum... that eat something for "pleasure" alone. Not for sustenance or nutrition, but for mere pleasure alone... my drug of choice is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia... what's your poison? So why do you do what you do? It's because eating its tied into the most powerful center in the brain, the pleasure center. Because if it wasn't, nobody would do it.... so is it so incredibly difficult to think just maybe people with self control issues have something wrong with their on/off buttons? That some how their signals are not working quite right? Edited by powerman 2013-06-19 1:52 PM |
| 2013-06-19 2:00 PM in reply to: noelle1230 |
Pro 5755 | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by noelle1230 Originally posted by Sous This is just another case of this county becoming more and more of a "woe is me" state. Listen up buttercup, you're fat because you are a lazy POS who lacks basic self control... you are not diseased. It sickens me that, as a society, we constantly try find a reason why "its not my fault" instead of just taking responsibility for our own actions and living with the consequences. Wow, that sentiment sounds so harsh. Yet, I don't find myself disagreeing with it. I'm curious to hear everyone else's thoughts on this. No self control + poor dietary choices = obesity. Yes, i am agreeing with you. And, if you are one of those rare individuals with a genetic predisposition towards obesity, the above still applies. No different than control of type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise. It may not be 100% effective, but it significantly helps. |
| 2013-06-19 2:04 PM in reply to: powerman |
| Alpharetta, Georgia | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by powerman Originally posted by Kido I was going to touch on the alcoholism as a disease too, but it looks like it has been mentioned. I understand it's a very big issue for some people. Compulsion, addiction, obsession.. And even if it fits in the definition set forth by Webster for "disease", I will always have a hard time accepting that as a definition. Same goes with over eating. If I could have "will powered" my cancer away, I would have. I think you have a choice to drink or eat - even if it's a really HARD choice. Nobody has a choice to eat or drink. We all die if we don't.
In fact... I'll just stay on this one.... so for everyone that has a handle on eating (I have been skinny all my life) what tells you to stop eating? In fact, why do you eat in the first place? Dead honest I wish I did not have to... because then I have to spend all this time and effort on the crapper, and I would love to just not have to do that at all. Something "tells" you to eat. Something "tells" you to stop.. if not we would all explode like a Monty Python character. There are many many healthy active people... even right here on this forum... that eat something for "pleasure" alone. Not for sustenance or nutrition, but for mere pleasure alone... my drug of choice is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia... what's your poison? So why do you do what you do? It's because eating its tied into the most powerful center in the brain, the pleasure center. Because if it wasn't, nobody would do it.... so is it so incredibly difficult to think just maybe people with self control issues have something wrong with their on/off buttons? That some how their signals are not working quite right? Perhaps some chose to ignore the signals... I hear this time and time again. Most people know when they should stop, they simply don't. |
| 2013-06-19 2:05 PM in reply to: powerman |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: AMA classifies obesity as a disease Originally posted by powerman Originally posted by Kido I was going to touch on the alcoholism as a disease too, but it looks like it has been mentioned. I understand it's a very big issue for some people. Compulsion, addiction, obsession.. And even if it fits in the definition set forth by Webster for "disease", I will always have a hard time accepting that as a definition. Same goes with over eating. If I could have "will powered" my cancer away, I would have. I think you have a choice to drink or eat - even if it's a really HARD choice. Nobody has a choice to eat or drink. We all die if we don't. Because water and well balanced meals was exactly what I was referring to when the topic was alcoholism and obesity when I said "eat and drink". Got me. You are 100% right. |
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