The American Medical Association of the United States has officially recognized obesity as a disease, which could induce doctors to pay more attention to the condition and encourage health plans to cover treatments.
"Recognizing obesity as a disease will help change the way the medical community addresses this complex issue, which affects approximately one in three Americans," Dr. Patrice Harris, a member of the association's board, said in a statement. She suggested that the new definition would help in the fight against type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are linked to obesity.
The WADA decision has no legal authority. Still, some doctors and advocates said that with a larger group of doctors in the US who agree, the medical class could focus more on obesity. And that can help improve the price of obesity drugs, surgery and counseling.
AMA recognizes obesity as disease (May 2024)
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