Is being Obese an illness?

[agel]

Yes or No
Im really not trying to start an argument. I want to understand what people actually think/know/believe about this.

I am obese and am trying to gain some sort of control over my eating through therapy at the moment. I’ve tried diets and exercising that do work but long term I don’t seem to be able to change my lifestyle enough to keep the weight off. I hate living like this and how people treat me differently because of my size. My family don’t understand at all. My partner is not understanding and it’s seriously affecting our relationship in many ways. It seems unfair because I don’t feel I have much control over this. It’s actually very lonely being in this situation. I rarely mention the topic of my health or weight to others because pardon the pun it’s always the elephant in the room! But you can almost hear what people are thinking. I hate the judgemental looks and comments. I rarely go out now because of anxiety and panic attacks brought on by this situation.

Personally, I don't think it is. But I'm sure I'm in the minority. I'm sorry your family and partner are making you feel bad.

It’s not an active illness in itself but it is recognised to be a complex medical condition.

Are you looking for some recognition and support from health services or from family/friends?

It’s a disease

and that’s something I never thought I would come round to! I’ve always been a big believer in calories in, moving more etc etc

but now, as I’ve learned more and read more I think I finally accept that obesity is a disease for some people in a way that perhaps high blood pressure or high cholesterol is

so not an illness no. But a disease ? Science points towards a yes

No it’s factually not an illness, but it can cause them ie stroke, heart attack diabetes etc

it’s classed as a disease, but many people don’t understand what a disease is, it is simply an abnormal condition of a living entity, which impairs normal function,

I think maybe you don’t undedtand what a disease is, it is not always contagious by definition it is simokh an abnormal condition of a living entity, which impairs normal function and of course obesity falls into this category

I suppose I’d see it as a mental health condition as is anorexia. In both cases eating becomes disordered in an attempt to deal with difficult emotions.

To follow up on my comment I would say that by engaging in therapy you are doing the right thing.

No it isn't an illness. Sorry to be blunt but sounds like your looking for a way to excuse it.

It’s a disease. It’s not an illness but it increases the risks massively of other illnesses.

Having lost weight from morbidly obese to a healthy weight over the last two years I realise now that being able to do that unsupported is incredibly hard work. I had never managed to do it consistently given all the other things I was in control of that were a higher priority than my weight.

For some people it can be.

I think food can be addiction like drugs & alcohol so yes I see it as an illness. Same for anorexia.

Many people with addictions have poor mental health.

No, I don’t think it can be for anyone. But it causes it. It causes so so many illnesses and of course an illness can cause it, from mental health on, but in itself it is not an illness.

@Charlenedickens I don’t need to understand anything 😂 I gave MY personal opinion

It’s a chronic disease driven by metabolic disfunction. It takes a lot of work to achieve/remain a healthy weight. Addressing issues around food noise, comfort eating, etc will certainly help you overall. But won’t cure obesity

Illness is the personal, social, and psychological experience of being unwell. It refers to how a person actually feels, functions, and navigates the world. A person can technically have the disease of obesity according to their body mass index (BMI) or metabolic markers, but not experience illness if they are physically fit, feel perfectly healthy, and suffer no negative impact on their daily life. Conversely, the "illness" aspect of obesity often stems from societal stigma, joint pain, or the physical limitations caused by its downstream complications.
It certainly reads like the OP has slipped into the space where her weight is affecting her personal life.

According to the World Health Organisation, obesity IS a disease. Obesity is considered a chronic disease because excess body fat impairs normal bodily functions, disrupts metabolic and endocrine systems, and significantly raises the risk of severe health complications. These changes also make it very difficult to bring about long term changes in your weight without medical intervention.

No, that might be a contributory cause for obesity, but that is not what obesity is.

It meets the criteria of both a disease and an illness depending on the person.

To me it is. It is caused by the obesogenic society we live in. It is not your fault.

IMO it's complicated. Is someone always overweight because they overeat? No. If people do overeat, is that an illness? No, but the reasons for overeating may be due to mental health issues, abuse, trauma, or as a result of medical conditions. Does obesity cause mental and/or physical health and disability? It certainly can cause of those things as it can lead to low self-esteem, depression, lack of self care, abuse, dismissal of other genuine health problems by healthcare workers, joint damage, loss of mobility, diabetes, some cancers, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, infertility, ulcers and more.

I know that since starting WLIs I can eat normally and not be constantly fighting the urge to eat. I can see how easy it can be to give in to the noise and become obese.

I think there is definitely something about GLO-1s and other hunger/satiety hormones that can be out of balance for some of us.

It’s a bit like menopause IMO - it’s not a disease, but the effects of changing hormones affect women to different extents. (And can have detrimental physical effects) Some can sail through menopause with no HRT and possibly think those of us that are badly affected and choose to use HRT are just not trying hard enough.

I think it is. X

I don't think everything has to be classified as an illness for people to have empathy for those suffering. Impulse control is something a lot of people experience. I wouldn't want the crutch of "I have an illness" when trying to sort my eating habits. Every single thing we do is governed by our genes (and environment). So everything could be classed as an illness.

In my experience, anything related to my figure or shame etc never worked long-term to help me change my eating habits. The only thing that kept me on track was my health and genuinely wanting to eat healthy, proper food. I "wanted" to do that. So give yourself reasons. Educate yourself on exactly what it is you're eating, what you want to eat, and find foods and meals you love eating. Make it enjoyable.

You must realise that the issue is that you eat more likely due to complex hormonal signalling that you are hungry. This appetite when you don’t need the food is the illness / disease - say like an underactive thyroid.

Yes I agree with this.

I am never not hungry in my head. Never full after eating a meal. Always counting and looking forward to the next time I can eat. I don’t think this is because I am stupid or lazy or eat the wrong foods. I have to fight with myself not to overeat as I believe my hunger signals are wonky. This is what gets fixed with WLIs which I wouldn’t qualify for currently.