In January 2019, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) recognized obesity is a disease. A chronic yet manageable disease that’s affected not only by our genes but also by the modern environment we live in. According to Dr. Andrew Goddard, “It is not a lifestyle choice caused by individual greed, but a disease caused by health inequalities, genetic influences, and social factors.” Even with this recognition, the debate around why is obesity a disease continued and reactions in the UK media were strong.
 

Around the world, similar expert working groups have arrived at the same conclusion that often provokes heated debates in the media. Obesity is still widely thought of as a simple matter of lifestyle – of how much you eat and how little you move. Of energy in and energy out. It sounds simple, but it’s not correct according to the science.

In fact, obesity is a disease that:

• Puts people at a high risk of developing or worsening other serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea, certain types of cancer, anxiety, and depression.
• Changes the way the body responds to treatments. What worked before doesn’t work anymore.
• Is constantly made stronger by our everyday environment.
• Affects people for life.

Obesity is a disease that is a serious medical problem, but people living with obesity rarely seek professional medical help because they believe that they need to deal with it all on their own. 

Thankfully, more and more healthcare providers recognise the complexity of obesity and are learning how to help. Their toolbox of treatment options is also growing and is constantly being updated. Today, obesity is a disease with treatments that include behavioural therapy, meal replacements and low energy diets, anti-obesity medications, and bariatric surgery. They also look beyond just what you eat and how much you move. Modern obesity management involves understanding individual eating patterns (how, when, and why you eat), as well as patterns of mood, sleep, stress, and physical activity. A personalised treatment plan will probably require a combination of different treatment options to meet your needs.
 

People living with obesity are reminded of it every day – in public transportation,
clothing stores, parks, or even while eating dinner with the ones they love. But size is the least important aspect of why obesity is a disease. The important aspects, such as weight stigma and self-esteem, are the ones you can’t see.

The good news is that obesity is a disease that is manageable and people who live with it can still improve their health and wellbeing. In fact, a weight loss of only five percent is enough to lower the risk of some weight-related health complications, like high blood pressure. Weight management has no quick fixes. To lose weight and keep it off, people with obesity need proper ongoing treatment and care. This is why it is important to recognise that obesity is a disease and to treat it using the latest scientific advancements.