Is Obesity a Disease? Miranda Pacheco

Outline Introduction Why I chose this topic Initial point of view Issue Terms Assumptions Arguments Opposition Counter Argument Reliability Conclusion Recommendation

Introduction My name is Miranda Pacheco Working to receive an Associates in General Education 20 years old Lived in Arizona my entire life Like to travel

Why I chose this topic Have family members who are obese or close Wondered if it is genetic or not

Initial Point of View Thought it was genetic Did not think it was a disease Thought you could get it no matter what

Issue Is Obesity a Disease?

Terms Disease- impairment of normal functioning of some aspect of body, characteristic signs and symptoms, and harm and morbidity. Adipose- fat tissue Leptin- molecule that regulates food intake and energy expenditure. Inherited- to receive by the transmission of hereditary factors Metabolism- sum of physical and chemical process in an organism by which its material substance is produced, maintained, and destroyed, and by which energy is made Genetics- science of hereditary, dealing with resemblances and differences of related organisms resulting from the interaction of their genes and environment

Terms (cont.) Edometrial Cancer- cancer in the lining of the uterus Triglyceride- blood lipid enables transference of adipose and blood glucose to the liver Hypothyroidism- thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone Cushing’s Syndrome- disorder that occurs when body is exposed to high levels of cortisol (hormone) Prader-Willi Syndrome- congenital (from birth) disease, affects many body parts. Obese, reduced muscle tone and mental ability Polycystic Ovary Syndrome- imbalance of female sex hormones. Women only. Antihistamines- Used to relieve allergies, pharmaceutical drug that inhibits the action of histamine by blocking receptors

Terms (cont.) Anticonvulsants- pharmaceutical drug used to treat epilepsy and seizures Beta Blockers- class of drugs, target beta receptors on heart muscles, smooth muscles, kidneys, airway, arteries, and other tissue BMI (Body Mass Index)- measure of body fat based on height and weight

My Assumption Assumed it was genetic because several of my family members are or near obese Assumed anyone could get it because I know several people who are obese that do not have many or any family members who are also obese Assumed it was not a disease, just genetic

Argument One The American Medical Association's 2013 "Council on Science and Public Health Report" identified three criteria to define disease: 1. "an impairment of the normal functioning of some aspect of the body;" 2. "characteristic signs and symptoms;" and 3. "harm or morbidity." Obesity causes impairment, has characteristic signs and symptoms, and increases harm and morbidity. Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, Director of the National Center for Weight and Wellsness and Preventative Medicine Physician at Johns Hopkins University, stated obesity "satisfies all the definitions and criteria of what a disease and medical condition is... The one difference is that people who have obesity have to wear their disease on the outside.“ Obesity Meets the Definition of Disease http://obesity.procon.org/

Explanation According to the American Medical Association: Disease is: Impairment of normal functioning body part Characteristic signs and symptoms Harm and morbidity Scott Kahan, MD, MPH Director of the National Center for Weight and Wellsness and Preventative Medicine Physician at Johns Hopkins University States that obesity satisfies all criteria of a disease

Argument Two Studies have shown that obesity can be inherited like height. Genetic disposition plays a large role in determining if a person will be obese. A May 2014 study published in the Journal of Molecular Psychology linked higher rates of obesity to the "fat mass and obesity association" (FTO) gene. The FTO gene reportedly lowers activity in the part of the brain that "controls impulses and the response to the taste and texture of food," so people with the gene are more likely to eat more fatty foods and eat more impulsively as they age. A 1990 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on body mass in twins not raised in the same home concluded, "genetic influences on body-mass index are substantial, whereas the childhood environment has little or no influence." In addition to genetic predisposition, almost 10% of morbidly obese people have defects in the genes that regulate food intake, metabolism, and weight. Obesity can be a genetic disorder such as sickle-cell anemia and Tay-Sachs, which are classified as diseases.  http://obesity.procon.org/

Explanation Can be inherited 2014 study in Journal of Molecular Psychology FTO gene (fat mass and obesity association) Lowers activity in brain that controls impulses and response to taste and texture of food More likely to eat fatty foods 1990 study in New England Journal of Medicine Twins not raised in same home Environment has little or no influence on body mass

Argument Three The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the Obesity Society, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) have identified obesity as a disease. Even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizes obesity as a disease so weight loss expenses may be counted as a medical deduction from taxes. On June 18, 2013, the American Medical Association recognized obesity as "a disease requiring a range of medical interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention.“ Government entities and major medical groups recognize obesity as a disease.  http://obesity.procon.org/

Explanation Medical and government organizations state obesity is a disease FDA (Food and Drug Administration AHA (American Heart Association) ACA (American College of Cardiology) Obesity Society NHLBI (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institution ACG (American College of Gastroenterology IRS (Internal Revenue Service) Obesity is a disease Weight loss expenses counted as medical deduction on taxes

Opposition One Obesity can be caused by hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, arthritis, increased insulin levels (from carbohydrate-heavy diets or diabetes treatments) and depression. Certain drugs like antidepressants, anti- seizure medications, diabetes medications, anti-psychotic medications, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, steroids, beta blockers, and contraceptives can cause obesity. Obesity can also be caused by lack of sleep (or sleep debt), ingesting endocrine disrupters (such as BPA, DDT, and phthalates), consuming high-fructose corn syrup, a lack of temperature variation (due to air conditioners and heaters), and quitting smoking. Obesity is a side effect, not a disease. http://obesity.procon.org/

Explanation Obesity caused by other diseases: Obesity caused by drugs: Hypothyroidism Cushing’s, Prader-Willi, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Arthritis Depression Obesity caused by drugs: Antidepressants Antihistamines Anticonvulsants Anti seizure meds Obesity caused by other: Sleep debt Quitting Smoking High-fructose corn syrup intake

Opposition Two Like smoking is a preventable risk factor for lung cancer and drinking is a preventable risk factor for alcoholism, obesity is a preventable risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancers (like endometrial, breast, and colon), high cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides, liver and gallbladder disease, incontinence, increased surgical risk, sleep apnea, respiratory problems (like asthma), osteoarthritis, infertility and other reproductive complications, complications during pregnancy and birth defects, and mental health conditions. Women who gain 20 pounds or more between age 20 and midlife double their risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. For every 2 pound weight increase, the risk of developing arthritis rises 9-13%.  Obesity is a preventable risk factor for other diseases and conditions, and is not a disease itself.  http://obesity.procon.org/

Explanation Obesity preventable risk factor for: Cancer (endometrial, breast, colon) High levels of triglycerides Liver disease Reproductive complications Twenty pound gain between 20 and midlife in women: Double risk of breast cancer Every two pound gain, risk of arthritis rises nine to thirteen percent

Best Counter Argument First Opposition Not as Strong Reliable sources (New York Times, International Journal of Obesity, Princeton Education, and Mayo Clinic) States other things that could cause obesity Medical and non medical Provides many examples Other diseases Pharmaceutical drugs Other examples No statistics provided Slightly outdated from 2006 More research could have been done

Reliability First Argument: Second Argument: Third Argument: AMA Medical Doctor and has Medical Degree in Public Health 2013 Definition Second Argument: Medical studies 2014 and 1990 Two medical doctors, one a Doctor of Philosophy Medical Journal Third Argument: FDA, AHA, ACC, NHLBI, ACG, and Obesity Society 2014 IRS taxes

Pros States obesity as a disease Studies provide information on how genes affect obesity Medical and government organizations recognize obesity as a disease Cons Obesity is caused by other medical and non medical issues Preventable risk factor for other diseases I believe that obesity is a disease. There are medical studies providing information that genes affect obesity. Many medical associations consider obesity to be a disease. The government recognizes that obesity is a disease and you can have your weight loss expenses counted as a medical deduction. Obesity is defined as a disease.

Recommendation I recommend siding with the Pros because They provide medical studies Many medical associations define obesity as a disease The government counts weight loss expenses from obesity as a medical deduction on taxes Obesity is defined as a disease