Is obesity a disease?

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide. The US government defines obesity as ‘America’s Costliest Disease’. Obesity is more than a disease. It is a complex disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by excess body fat that threatens or affects socioeconomic, mental or physical health. The following are some of the many problems caused by obesity:

• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Depression
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• Fatty liver
• Thrombosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Intertrigo
• Incontinence
• Gallbladder disease
• Infertility
• GE-Reflux disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Gout
• Cancer
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Personality disorder
• Self esteem
• Osteoarthritis
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Urinary incontinence
• Dyslipidemia
• PCOS

This is just a representative list. If obesity contributes to all these diseases, then it is high time we rise up and discuss about weight loss and do something about it.