title: Regarding Obesity as a Disease: Evolving Policies and Their Implications.
abstract: In 2013, the American Medical Association recognized obesity as a complex, chronic disease requiring medical attention. Defining obesity as a disease is a very public process, largely driven by expectation of costs and benefits. Although the public has been slow to embrace this definition, evidence is emerging for broader awareness of influencing factors beyond personal choice. This decision seems to be working with other factors to bring more access to care, less blame for people with the condition, and more favorable conditions for research to identify effective strategies for prevention and clinical care to reduce the impact.
authors: ConscienHealth, 2270 Country Club Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, USA. Electronic address: ted.kyle@conscienhealth.org.
authors: Theodore K
authors: TK
authors: Kyle
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Box 43011, Lubbock, TX 79409-3011, USA.
authors: Emily J
authors: EJ
authors: Dhurandhar
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Office of Energetics, Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ryals Building, Room 140J, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Allison
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000145:classification* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Access to health care; Chronic disease; Health care economics and organizations; Health policy; Medicalization; Obesity; Social stigma