Obesity is now a disease.

**techs** · July 16th, 2004, 06:41 AM

Medicare now says obesity is a disease.
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/n...alth-headlines
What do you think? Lifestyle choice? Disease? Hobby?

**imaeditedbysowulo** · July 16th, 2004, 06:44 AM

Lack of self control and lack of physical activity, simple as that. It's about as much of a disease as being an alcoholic or being a smoker.

**paraflyer** · July 16th, 2004, 06:51 AM

Not a disease.

Lifestyle choice.

And I don't believe for one minute that the majority of cases could be corrected by diet and exercise (excluding certain tumors, etc).

Now all we'll hear is that it's a "social issue", so we'll need social programs, socialized medicine, and social security to fix it......

Hmmm. Tracking of height/weight standards in schools, HIPPA, Medicare....guess what? We're already there.

**Ya_know** · July 16th, 2004, 06:55 AM

Well, there are the exceptional few that have a disease that no matter how well they eat, and even exercise, they are doomed by chemical imbalances and other physiological limitations...so it is a disease for those select few. The rest are just fat bodies, and need to get a grip on their life!

**paraflyer** · July 16th, 2004, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by Ya_know

Well, there are the exceptional few that have a disease that no matter how well they eat, and even exercise, they are doomed by chemical imbalances and other physiological limitations...so it is a disease for those select few. The rest are just fat bodies, and need to get a grip on their life!

That's what I'm speaking of; however, the calories to create the fat buildup have to come from somewhere, they don't just appear out of "fat air" (Cleetus may get that reference

).

**drewmaztech** · July 16th, 2004, 06:58 AM

Even the arguement that "it's a glandular thing" or a medical condition that causes it - well there are PLENTY of new medications and procedures to help you lose the weight.

I actually have 3 friends who have had gastric bypass surgery. A really facinating thing and works well.

**Ya_know** · July 16th, 2004, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by drewmaztech

Even the arguement that "it's a glandular thing" or a medical condition that causes it - well there are PLENTY of new medications and procedures to help you lose the weight.

Some people just don't have the money for these treatments...and it ain't just that easy either...some people can't go under a knife for other medical reasons...

Let's try to be a little compationate here people. Just a little.

**Titchski** · July 16th, 2004, 07:28 AM

I looked at myself in the mirror the other day and realised that I have to change my lifestyle. Its not so much that I'm overweight (5'5" and 145lbs) its just that its packed on my gut making me look like Adepts purple avatar thing

I need to do two things 1. Change my diet and 2. Exercise

The food thing is simple, I'm going to change from a light breakfast and two big meals a day to eating small portions, more often.

Not sure how to go about getting exercise, I guess I could join a gym but that involves money I ain't really got right now. I hate doing sit ups so if anyones got any ideas for non sit up exercise, pass them along!

Cheers

**Camaro80z** · July 16th, 2004, 07:37 AM

I can not speak for all, but I know that there is a medical reason why I am overweight. I am 6'3 and 275 lbs, there is no one else in my family over 6 ft and 200 lbs. I had pretty serious issues with asthmsa, and spent the majority of my childhood on the different steroids (medication). I also have issues with my stomach and digestion. After 2 stomach surgeries, my body acts like it is starving all of the time, and stores every calorie to prevent death. After my last surgery, I had to be on a liquid only diet for 2 months. I was consuming less than 1000 calories a day, and hardly any fat. I was also working out 3 times a week per doc's orders. I still only lost 5 lbs during that time, and the doctor says the average person loses 20-25. I now am on a diet where I have on average 1500 to 2000 calories, take supplements and exercise. This makes it possible for me to stay at the same size. As for the gastric bypass, I am not considered obese enough to have it, and I would not be able to due to my stomach problems.

As to imaeditedbysowulo, I am guessing you have never had the disease of addiction running through your veins, otherwise you would know that alcoholics do have a disease. I would put it in the category of a mental illness, with chemical underlying factors.

Sorry for the rant, this topic just hit a little close to home. If I have to hear 1 more fat joke here at work...

**Camaro80z** · July 16th, 2004, 07:41 AM

After looking at the poll again, I would like to say that i do not think that obesity in itself is a disease. I think that it is a disorder, and you can have problems that cause it. just my 2 cents

**NooNoo** · July 16th, 2004, 07:45 AM

People that eat a full breakfast, have their sandwiches at mid morning, go to the fastfood place for lunch, have a snack when they come in from work and then have a full dinner, do not exercise apart from lifting beer at the bar and yet remain a beanpole must have something different going on with them..... I know a couple of people like this, they just make me want to reach for the chocolate

**gazzak** · July 16th, 2004, 07:59 AM

Not a desiese.

I can look around the school playground when I get the chance to pick my daughter up, and I know for sure which kids will be FAT when they get older because they are halfway there already. Junk food and no excersize.

More calories in - less calories burnt = weight gain, game over.