ama recognises obesity as a disease :-)

American Medical Association Recognises Obesity as a Disease

The American Medical Association (AMA) has voted to recognise obesity as a disease, describing it as an "epidemic" gripping the US.

At its annual meeting, the AMA noted that obesity rates in the US have doubled among adults in the past 20 years and tripled among children in a generation.

More than one-third of US adults are obese.

The World Health Organisation and the US Food and Drug Administration already recognise the condition as a disease.

Obesity is associated with a variety of diseases, including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Rising obesity is expected to increase America's already high health care costs.

The AMA's recommendations accompanying the vote include urging physicians and insurance companies to "recognise obesity as a complex disorder," encouraging national efforts to educate the public "about the health risks of being overweight and obese."

The AMA also recommended the creation of a national obesity awareness month to highlight the benefits of exercise and to warn of the risks of obesity.

Reuters

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-19/doctor-group-votes-to-recognise-obesity-as-a-disease/4766192