Opinion: The misconceptions of obesity
Not having a clear definition of what obesity is can lead to damaging results for patients.
In an opinion piece published by The New York Times, Julia Belluz, a health journalist, detailed that many medical societies, such as the American Medical Association and World Health Organization, as well as figures in the public eye refer to obesity as a disease. The AMA recognized obesity as a disease in 2013, hoping that the decision would improve health insurance coverage among patients receiving obesity-related treatment and reduce both stigma and discrimination surrounding excess body fat.
However, the medical community has never offered a definition of obesity as a disease, and health experts are often divided on the issue. Obesity’s common measurements, including body mass index, are not reliable diagnostic tools for overall health and provide no quantifiable sign or symptom of the condition, according to Ms. Belluz. For instance, obesity can be a symptom or risk factor of other health issues. As a result, a BMI measurement may neglect to characterize the distribution of body fat, contribute to misdiagnoses and fail to diagnose patients with a riskier type of obesity in which fat is stored around the organs rather than just below the skin. Patients who receive a diagnosis of obesity who are otherwise healthy may experience a psychological toll and undergo overtreatment. Those who do need a diagnosis and don’t receive one may go longer without addressing underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Converse to the AMA’s 2013 decision, some experts have indicated that labeling obesity as a disease wouldn’t improve health care access or reduce stigma. Establishing a better definition and more effective assessment of obesity can allow clinicians to identify which patients may benefit from treatment or should avoid unnecessary care. Health experts are currently working on a report to detail the signs and symptoms of obesity for each organ.
Ms. Belluz underscored that a more systematic approach to obesity may be needed in which clinicians rely on evidence-based diagnoses and targeted treatment options.
Read more: The New York Times
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