Should Obesity Be a 'Disease'? (New York Times)

February 25, 2014

Crystal Hoyt, associate professor of leadership studies and psychology, and Jeni Burnette, assistant professor of psychology, write about their research on the implications of labeling obesity as a disease. They conducted the research with Lisa Auster-Gussman, '13. The research has been highlighted in Psychology Today, U.S. News, Huffington Post, Science Daily, and other outlets. Their findings were published online Jan. 24 in the journal Psychological Science.

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In June 2013, millions of Americans contracted a disease. They developed it not because of some pathogen or illness, but thanks to the American Medical Association’s decision to label obesity a “multi-metabolic and hormonal disease state.”

On its surface, this seemed like a good move: Calling obesity a disease provides a clear warning of the significant health risks associated with excessive weight. And the obesity-is-a-disease message sparked attention, funding and research aimed at finding medically driven remedies.

We wondered, however, if there also might be psychological ramifications inherent in that message. Would it reduce or add to the burden of body-image concerns and shame? Would it empower people to fight back, or lead to a fatalistic acceptance of being overweight?

Full article