Obesity should be classified as a contributing factor, not a disease

Obesity and Health Problems

The Solution, First Reason

To ensure that the approach adopted in the management of obesity is workable and to avoid the adoption of a potentially discriminatory position against those who prefer a bigger body size; obesity should be classified as a contributing factor to ill health rather than a disease. Those branding obesity a disease can be seen as trying to solve a prevailing problem using the wrong approach. In seeking to classify obesity as a disease, they hope the condition will attract the attention it deserves via insurance and/or enhanced governmental health financing. While the intention in this case is noble, the approach remains untenable in the long-term. McKnight (2006, p.72) points out that it is highly possible that unnecessary focus is being "placed on the impact of medication and not lifestyle changes…" Branding obesity a disease will effectively increase the number of those seeking "treatment" for the same. Indeed, in such a case, it is possible that obese people could end up seeking unnecessary medical attention/treatment thus neglecting or avoiding the role they should play at an individual level in seeking to reduce weight. Hence instead of working on their diets and embracing physical exercises, individuals having weight issues will most likely prefer formal obesity treatments including but not limited to drugs and surgery. Given that it is through the adoption of a certain lifestyle that individuals become obese, the war against obesity cannot be won without the active involvement of those who happen to be obese.

In my opinion, in our resolve to rein in on obesity, we need to discourage the utilization of drugs as well as surgery whose side effects are well documented. Some of these side effects include but they are not limited to weight regain and stomach ulcer (Crawford et al., 2005). While recognizing obesity as a disease will most likely encourage the utilization of drugs and surgery as standard interventions; branding the condition as a contributing factor to ill health will encourage the utilization of other alternatives including but not limited to physical exercises and healthy eating. Further, in seeking to live healthier as opposed to seeking treatment for obesity, people will be more motivated to maintain the ideal body weight. Apart from its motivational component, this approach will minimize chances of the occurrence of a relapse i.e. weight regain which is closely associated with surgery and the use of weight reduction drugs. The classification of obesity as a disease would also brand individuals with a certain body weight as "sick people' who need medical intervention. This may not be the case. As Dalton (2005, p.26) points out, "most obese individuals suffer not from a physical or mental illness, but from a condition of immoderation."

Section VI: Call to Action

Obesity is a serious problem that is affecting millions of people not only in the United States but across the world as well. With that in mind, the relevance of giving this problem the attention it deserves cannot be overstated. However, success in reining in on this epidemic that is threatening to get out of hand with each passing day largely depends on how it is addressed i.e. The approaches adopted. Winning the war on obesity does not necessarily call for the classification of the condition as a disease. As I have already pointed out elsewhere in this text, such an action while having a noble intention would bring about undesirable consequences.

A lasting solution to the obesity epidemic cannot be found if the debate on whether or not obesity is a disease is allowed to continue. Hence inaction in this case will be quite costly. Addressing the epidemic in a way that guarantees results calls for decisive steps. Stakeholders from across the board need to come together and recognize obesity as a contributing factor to ill health. This way, strategies can be adopted to nip the epidemic at the bud before it spirals out of control. Further, by addressing the condition from a united front, workable public policies that take into consideration the underlying causes of obesity can be developed to help fight the epidemic. With that in mind; we stand to benefit more as a nation by classifying obesity as a contributing factor to ill health. However, a lot will be lost in terms of increased obesity rates should we classify obesity as a disease. In the latter scenario, people will continue to pile up weight while seeking treatment for the same due to lack of information on how to live healthy.