Should Obesity Be Classed As A Disease?

[Deskdiary]

It has been suggested that obesity should be considered a disease.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/03/obesity-should-classed-disease-doctors-say/

How would describing 'normal' fat people (i.e, ignoring those who are fat because of an underlying medical condition) as a victim of a disease help them? I suspect it will simply provide the fatties with an excuse for their size? "My obesity is a disease and therefore it's not my fault"

Should smokers be described have having a disease? If not, why not? I see no difference between a compulsion to smoke and a compulsion to shove food down the neck.

[pastafreak]

Sorry that didn't work...just Google images for Lipoedema

[dunnitall]

TTT so you have studied Lipo then to come to that statement. As has been stated here, steroids can make you put weight on whether you eat or not! If one has an hereditary condition it follows the pattern of that condition and Lipo is subcutaneous fat which is different to 'ordinary' fat, even a surgeon who operated on the person I know with the condition said the fat IS different.

You believe what you want to but hopefully your information comes from you knowing something about Lipoedema, if not then why describe something you haven't looked into? Apologies if you feel I'm speaking out of turn but IMO facts are facts and should be correct and the medics have told me this so that's why I feel I can comment this way.

[ToraToraTora]

I know what it looks like. if it's storing fat cells it's storing energy, where does that come from?
dunnitall, no I've studied physics, just tell me where the energy comes from to create the fat and the cells?

[ToraToraTora]

"Steroids can make you put weight on whether you eat or not! " - no they can't, to create fat you need excess energy, that comes from food. Believe me I wish it didn't.

[kvalidir]

Lipodema is nothing to do with overeating TTT :/

[ToraToraTora]

never said it was kval, but it is still storing energy that has gone in through the mouth.
roids just make you eat more no mystery as to why they put on weight

[ToraToraTora]

the fact is that no "condition" medical or otherwise can change the laws of physics. If your body is storing fat it has excess energy. The reasons for that may be many and varied but the fact remains there is excess energy in the system. This may be because the condition makes you eat more or move less, it may be (though very unusual) slowing metabolism. In the end it's energy surplus however odd that seems however sure you are you've eaten less those are the facts. Believe me I'm often amazed how my weight can vary so readily.

[webbo3]

Eat less, move more or eat as much as you want as long as you exercise and burn the calories off and don’t sit on the sofa all day.

[Rockrose]

If only it was that simple webbo

[Mamyalynne]

"The biggest misconception regarding lipoedema is that the fat is the same as obesity and therefore caused by overeating, and can be reduced by reducing calories and exercise."

Source

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a13384085/what-is-lipoedema/

[ChillDoubt]

Bit of a difference between Cosmo and the BMJ, but still, from the link:
Remember, dieting won’t cure lipoedema, so ensure that your focus is simply on as staying fit, healthy and active as possible.

And therin lies the crux.....regardless of your weight, condition, symptoms or whatever the message is still simple: Eat properly, exercise and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.

[Mamyalynne]

I'm sure the BMJ has a link, but I am busy right now - of course everyone should eat healthily but the condition being discussed above is a separate issue to obesity.


I don't think labels help anyone - each person's difficulties with weight and or food are individual.

[ChillDoubt]

I thought the isssue being discussed was obesity, judging by the OP.
The lipoedema became the side issue I believe.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, that's what I meant by above - above my reply - I should have been clearer.

[Togo]

Oh dear......perhaps it is a disease after all.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/familyhealth/overweight-people-have-smaller-brains-study-suggests/ar-BBS21z4?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=spartandhp