Don't Cruelly Call Him Or Her Fat. Just As Alcoholism, Cancer And Diabetes...Obesity IS A Disease.

     As the actor in the old television commercial used to say...I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV.  However, I've been saying for years...that people should never be so cruel...to turn to someone and criticize him or her for being fat.  It is similar to when a person accuses another for being a drunk.  It is a scientific and medical fact that alcoholism is a disease.  And now...the American Medical Association says...so is obesity.

     I'm going to talk with you today about the AMA...and its declaration - at its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 - that they...as doctors...believe obesity...is a disease.  The decision opens the door to a wide range of medical treatment...including prevention.  It is, however, unclear as to what extent America's health insurance companies will cover such therapy.  Currently, policies generally exclude any obesity treatments.  That being said, the AMA's recognition will more than likely have tremendous impact with the insurance outlets nationwide, as well as with legislation in Washington, DC.  After all, the AMA - which is the nation's largest organization of physicians - carries a lot of weight - no pun intended - with the insurance groups and with Congress.

     Nearly 36 percent - that's more than one-third - of adults in the United States are classified as obese, which is about 35 or more pounds over, what is considered, a healthy weight.  In addition, one-third of children and teens are labeled as overweight or obese.  If the obesity figures continue to go up...projections by RTI - a non-profit research group in North Carolina - predict that by 2030...42 percent of all Americans will be classified as obese.  The tab for those extra pounds will weigh in at many billions of dollars in weight-related medical bills.  At present, 20 percent of all medical spending relates to obesity.  That's 190 billion dollars annually...and the price tag for obesity exceeds health care expenses related to smoking.  It costs about $1,400 more each year to treat an obese patient than it does a person whose weight is considered to be healthy. 

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plus the World Health Organization indicate that obesity is the 5th leading risk for death worldwide...killing 2.8 million people every year.  The CDC, WHO and doctors around the world say that obesity increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain forms of cancer.

     Reducing the obesity figures are not going to be as simple as telling people to consume less food, eat wiser and exercise.  Naturally, it will help... but the food industry as a whole, the soft drink beverage companies and candy companies need to be concerned with the disease of obesity when producing their products and when labeling them.  We all know - that once you gain weight - it's very difficult to lose it.  And that's if you've just put on an extra 5, 10 or 15 pounds.  With obesity - trying to lose weight is a monumental and - sometimes - impossible effort.

     It is about time that obesity was declared a disease.  It is long overdue. Obesity is damaging to the human body.  It makes sense to treat it as a disease.  Anyone who is obese will tell you that they want to lose weight.  It is certainly not a choice to be that heavy.  I've never known anyone who chose to be obese.  Anybody who thinks that...is clearly mistaken.

     I have been reading stories where people are asking how obesity can be classified a disease since obesity is not "contagious."  One person actually said to me the other day..."Obesity is not a disease.  You can't catch it from fat people."  That is probably one of the most ridiculous and stupid statements I have ever heard.  Are the people who say such things...for real?  They're criticizing the AMA for recognizing obesity as a disease because "you can't...catch it?"  Are you kidding me?  You cannot catch cancer.  Arthritis is not contagious.  Should I go on?  I am amazed that anyone would say that something should not be classified a disease unless it's "contagious."

     Sometimes getting a disease is not something a person can prevent or even fight without the proper medical attention.  Diseases can merely be part of your DNA...in your family's genetic pool.  You can gain weight because of certain medicines you take.  Or...you could be someone who was just dealt the wrong cards.  I can attest to that personally.  After all...I'm a two-time cancer survivor...and numerous doctors have assured me that there was nothing I could have done throughout childhood or as a young man that could have prevented me from being diagnosed with cancer.  I don't smoke - never have...I don't drink alcoholic beverages - drank very little even during college...and I've never been terribly overweight.  I got cancer twice - just because I did.  It would be nice to know the answer.  But nobody - not my doctors or anybody else - can positively tell me why.  And believe me...I've asked - over and over and over again - "Why?  Why me?"  So just as cancer patients...those who are obese ask the same question.  Why?

     Several years ago, for a local radio program, I interviewed an enormously overweight individual and asked her what she was doing to lose weight.  She stated that she had tried everything - diets, exercise, even starving herself - but she just couldn't lose the weight.  "I wish I knew why?" she asked.  "I wish I knew why I'm so fat?"

     Unfortunately...no matter how hard some people try...they can't seem to lose the weight.  Of course this does not apply to everybody - whether slightly overweight or morbidly obese - but obviously... based on the AMA's decision...diet and exercise is not a guarantee for a person to lose weight.  So don't judge someone because their weight tips the scale more than it should.  Recognizing obesity as a disease is an important and giant step in reducing obesity in the United States.  It will allow for more education...and financial support.  And hopefully...harsh criticism...and cheap insults...will go away. 

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

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