Obesity is officially a disease, says world's largest medical body

Weight loss is all set to become a life-saving feature what with American Medical Association (AMA), the world’s largest medical fraternity, officially recognising obesity as a disease. Indian bariatric surgeons are hopeful that the move may induce medical insurance companies to cover its cost.

According to the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity & Metabolic Disorder (IFSO), around 14,000 people undergo weight loss surgery in India every year. Obesity-related conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, are some of the leading causes of preventable death.

“Obesity is a complex condition with various causes, many of which are largely beyond an individual’s control. People affected are too often subjected to enormous social stigma and discrimination. Recognition of obesity as a disease can give an incentive to the medical community to research and develop new and better prevention and treatment strategies,” said Dr Sanjay Borude, bariatric surgeon, Breach Candy Hospital.

Weight loss surgery was introduced in Maharashtra nearly 10 years ago but its popularity has peaked recently with many opting for it to cure related ailments. The battle between insurance companies and bariatric surgeons to get patients cover for the this life saving surgery has been going on since a year. Surgeons say that insurance companies consider it as a cosmetic surgery and, thus, deny cover. The reality, however, is completely different. “The AMA’s decision has come at the perfect time. Obesity in India is on the rise. India is now the world capital of type 2 diabetes and will very soon become the world capital of obesity. We used to blame western diet but now we know it’s the Indian diet is to blame,” said Dr Mohit Bhandari, an Indore-based obesity surgeon. He adds that with obesity officially recognised as a disease, pressure can be mounted on insurance companies to reimburse patients for their surgery.

Other bariatric surgeons like Jayhsree Todkar of Hiranandani Hospital feel that this will also bust the myth that obesity is just about shape and size. “Timely diagnosis, prevention and treatment can save a whole young generation from premature deaths, multiple metabolic disorders and a massive negative psychosocial impact,” said Todkar.