A Chronic Disease
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Obesity as a disease

"The modern scientific understanding of obesity is that it is a complex disease in its own right."

That understanding has led many major medical authorities, including the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization, to conclude that obesity should be considered a distinct disease entity.

"There's no question that obesity is a disease," said Arthur Frank, medical director of George Washington University's Weight Management Program. "Obesity is a disease where there's a disregulation of eating - just like diabetes is a disease where the system of controlling blood sugar is not functioning properly."


The Obesity Epidemic


Health Consequences of Obesity

Obesity has physical, psychological, and social consequences in adults and children. Children and adolescents are developing obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, that were once seen only in adults. Obese children are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose tolerance. One study of 5- to 17-year-olds found that 70% of obese children had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and 39% of obese children had at least two risk factors.