'Obesity is a Disease': Message may Undermine Weight-Loss Efforts

On June 18, 2013, the American Medical Association officially recognized obesity as a disease, pushing physicians to pay more attention to the health epidemic. Obesity is estimated to affect more than one-third of the U.S. adult population, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), significantly increasing the risk for such weight-related health issues as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and even certain types of cancer. One-third of adolescents in the United States are also estimated to be overweight or obese.

"Recognizing obesity as a disease will help change the way the medical community tackles this complex issue that affects approximately one in three Americans," said AMA board member Patrice Harris, M.D., via The New York Times. "The AMA is committed to improving health outcomes and is working to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, which are often linked to obesity."

Providing crucial treatments and health programs for overweight or obese individuals and those suffering from weight-related health issues can greatly alleviate the stress of the epidemic. However, new psychology research suggests that understanding obesity as a "disease" may potentially undermine important weight-loss efforts necessary to become and stay fit.

"The term disease suggests that bodies, physiology, and genes are malfunctioning. By invoking physiological explanations for obesity, the disease label encourages the perception that weight is unchangeable," said Crystal L. Hoyt of the University of Richmond, via The Information Daily.

The American Medical Association is uncertain if the new classification of "disease" will ultimately make a positive impact.

"Given the existing limitations of B.M.I. to diagnose obesity in clinical practice, it is unclear that recognizing obesity as a disease, as opposed to a 'condition' or 'disorder,' will result in improved health outcomes," the council wrote, according to The New York Times.

However, upon learning of the new classification, three separate studies show that obese participants who read about this information in a New York Times' article reported greater body satisfaction. Consequently, some were also more likely to choose higher-calorie food choices.

How do you feel about the new classification?

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Psychological Science.