American Medical Association

The American Medical Association has voted to label obesity as a disease. At its annual meeting in Chicago, Tuesday (June 18, 2013) they issued the following statement:

“RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association recognize obesity as a disease state with multiple pathophysiological aspects requiring a range of interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention.”

Forbes reporter Bruce Japsen writes that before the voice vote Hershey, PA obstetrician Dr. Virginia Hall said, “insurers can stop ducking their responsibility” in paying for obesity treatments. And therein lies the truth behind this decision. Money. More money will flow into the bloated medical community’s pockets with obesity labelled a disease. In the future you will have those who are diagnosed as obese eligible for counseling and disability payments once they’ve been seen buying more than three Big Macs over a week’s time. Doctors will bill their patient’s insurance coverage for the doctor’s trips to Burger King. Calling such trips patient research into disease prevention.

In this article by NPR “AMA Says It’s Time To Call Obesity A Disease” sociologist Abigail Saguy correctly states “People think that being obese means being sick, and there are some health risks, but risk is not the same thing as illness,”

There is no question obesity in the United States is a problem. Obesity rates have tripled since 1980. 72-million people in the United States were obese in 2010. In 2010 nearly 60% of the entire populace was overweight or obese. But a disease? We have lots of things in this country that are a problem. But is poverty a disease? Is unemployment? Unemployment or underemployment has been at or near 15% for at least four years. Fewer Americans work today than at any time since the 1970s. Should health insurance pick up the tab for that too?

Obviously unemployment and poverty will never be labelled diseases. But if obesity is a disease how about the root causes of obesity? Can procrastination be a insurable disease? How about laziness? Can we receive an insurance check for spending all our waking moments lounging on a couch? It’s important to solve these personal responsibility problems in this country so let’s make sure Obamacare provides coverage for buying Captain Crunch, Fruit Loops, and Cocoa Puffs.

The author 6-19-13 at 205 lbs.

June 18, 2012. 48 years old 241 lbs.

For all the fat people out there, you have my sympathy and empathy. I know its hard to lose weight. Been there, done that. I’m forty-nine years old and have basically spent my adult life obese. Currently I’m 10-15 pounds overweight. Though one year ago I would never have dreamed that I could weigh 205 lbs. as I do now. Given that I was 210 lbs. as a 23 year old, newly married man who was pretty active I thought getting to 210 at my current age, with greater muscle development was extremely ambitious. But thanks to AdvoCare and its 24 Day Challenge I’m down 40 lbs and my wife is down 50 lbs. It cost me a relatively small amount of money. It cost me the pain of changing some long practiced eating habits. And it worked. After losing my Uncle from a heart attack at age 61, my Dad at 64, and my Grandpa at 65 I became scared for my life expectancy. Anyone who is obese should have that fear. Because you will die young. You will not live long while carrying around more than 30 extra pounds. In my case, I love my kids and eagerly await loving grandkids some day. I decided life is too precious to piss it away merely because of bad habits. Habits that can be changed, and replaced with new habits. AdvoCare has shown me that.

So that’s what we’re talking about. Personal responsibility or lack of it determines your physical condition. The AMA is making a money grab and should be recognized for their greed. Grow up America. Take control of your life. Nothing is guaranteed, but if you can change habits, fill your body with proper nutrition like what AdvoCare provided my family, you increase your odds of a longer, healthier, and happier life.

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June 19, 2013
Categories: Business, National Politics, Weight Loss . Tags:24 Day Challenge, Advocare, American Medical Association, Big Mac, Chicago, Cocoa Puffs, fitness, Health, medicine, obesity, obesity in the united states, obesity rates, obesity treatment, obesity treatments, personal responsibility, United States, Virginia Hall, Weight loss . Author: Michael Schuett

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