“Just eat less and move more.” It’s a phrase people living with obesity have heard far too often. It sounds simple. And that’s the problem.
This outdated, oversimplified narrative continues to frame obesity as a failure of willpower, a personal shortcoming, a lifestyle choice. But science tells us a very different story, one that calls for a global shift in mindset, medicine, and policy.
Obesity Isn’t a Choice. It’s a Chronic Disease.
Obesity is not about laziness or lack of discipline. It’s a complex, chronic condition shaped by biology, environment, genetics, metabolism, hormones, and more. And like any other disease, it requires medical attention, structured care, and above all, empathy.
Way back in 2011, The Lancet laid out five clear messages to tackle the obesity crisis:
- Government leadership is non-negotiable.
- Business as usual will lead to rising costs and falling health.
- Quick-fix weight loss assumptions are deeply flawed.
- Accurate monitoring and evaluation are critical.
- A multi-sectoral, systemic response is the only way forward.
A decade later, not much has changed, except the numbers. They’ve only grown worse.
A Global Crisis with Unequal Burden
Today, over 1 billion people are living with obesity, and the numbers are rising fast, not just in high-income countries, but across India, Brazil, China, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Often, those hardest hit are also the ones with the least access to healthcare, support, or treatment.
The 2013 Global Burden of Disease Study showed a 28% rise in obesity among adults and a staggering 47% rise among children since 1980. And this trend hasn’t slowed.
Obesity isn’t just a weight issue. It’s a health time bomb, closely linked to:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Certain cancers
- Depression and anxiety
Despite this, many health systems still don’t officially classify obesity as a disease, an omission with real consequences for diagnosis, insurance coverage, and stigma.
Why Defining Obesity as a Disease Matters
When we call obesity a disease, we shift the narrative:
- From shame to science
- From blame to biology
- From “try harder” to evidence-based treatment
This means acknowledging that:
- Weight gain isn’t always voluntary.
- Weight loss is often biologically resisted.
- Genetics and environment play a major role.
- Medical interventions—like GLP-1 receptor agonists, nutrition therapy, behavioural counselling, and even bariatric surgery—must be on the table.
And yet, even in clinical settings, people with obesity face discrimination. Studies show they often receive less time, less empathy, and less evidence-based care from healthcare providers.
From Individual Burden to Systemic Action
If obesity is a disease, the solution cannot rest solely on the individual. We need:
- Urban design that encourages active living
- Policy reform to restrict junk food marketing to children
- Inclusive school programs that promote health without body shaming
Affordable access to obesity care, mental health support, and treatment, regardless of postcode or income
We also need to stop equating weight with worth. Health is more than a number on a scale.
A Matter of Equity
Obesity disproportionately affects:
- Low- and middle-income populations
- Women and girls
- Communities experiencing food insecurity
Reframing obesity as a disease is not just a medical imperative; it’s a moral and equity imperative. It pushes systems to deliver care, not judgment. It ensures that treatment becomes a right, not a luxury.
We don’t tell people with cancer to “try harder.”
We don’t shame people with asthma for needing medication.
So why do we still treat obesity with blame instead of care?
The Time for Change Is Now
We need to reframe obesity not just in our medical textbooks, but in our minds, our policies, and our everyday conversations.
-It’s time to stop shaming and start treating.
– To move from bias to biology.
– To recognise that no one should have to fight a disease and a stigma.
Only when we treat obesity like a chronic disease, it is can we begin to build a world that heals.
#BeTheForce
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.
“Doctor please help! Half of my body does not move anymore” came a slurry cry from a helpless Vinod Agrawal, a businessman. His wife stood next to him in the emergency department weeping profusely and their 16 year old son watched his parents helplessly.
