Earlier this year, the American Medical Association deemed obesity a disease. AMA board member Patrice Harris, M.D., said in a statement that “recognizing obesity as a disease will help change the way the medical community tackles this complex issue that affects approximately one in three Americans.”
While there is still debate within the medical community as to whether obesity is a disease — the AMA’s own House of Delegates recommended the body not adopt the resolution declaring it a disease — there is speculation the AMA’s decision could open the door to more discrimination claims under the American with Disabilities Act.
