Obesity is not a disease

Abstract

Doctors are historically ill-prepared to address the problem of obesity - with a tendency either to ignore it, or to ineffectually wag an admonishing finger1-3. To focus physicians' attention on this prevalent health issue, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently declared obesity to be a disease. This well-intentioned move by the AMA is misguided in that it implies that tens of millions of people must now have bodies or minds, or both, that are not working properly.