Obesity numbers have been on the rise during the last few years. With an average of 1 in 3 adults considered obese, and 2 in 3 classified as overweight, you could easily call these skyrocketing numbers an epidemic.

Since the spike in numbers, obesity has been labeled as a disease, and has even been established as worthy of disability benefits through Social Security. This overly sympathetic attitude has gone too far. 

Obesity is primarily determined by an individual’s body mass index. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is overweight, while a BMI of 30.0 or higher is classified as obese.

A person’s BMI in the overweight or obese category may not mean they are unhealthy, as the BMI does not differentiate between weight from muscle and weight from fat. Generally speaking, however, a person’s BMI is a strong indicator of what his or her healthy weight range is.   

Some instances of obesity deserve empathy, such as clinically diagnosed medical conditions, which cause the obesity. One specific example of an obesity triggering condition is an underactive thyroid, which causes slowed metabolism and fatigue. Other obesity-causing conditions may include Cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.  

Mayo Clinic, however, states that these obesity-causing conditions are extremely rare and cites inactivity and unhealthy eating habits as the principle causes of obesity in America, which speaks volumes about why obesity should not be considered a disease. 

The American Medical Association officially ruled in 2013 that obesity is a disease. A Gallup Poll found that only 21 percent of Americans agree with this decision. While I agree in some instances that obesity is a medical problem out of the control of an individual and should be referred to as a disease, specific boundaries need to be established so not everyone with obesity is benefiting from medical aid.

A lack of physical exercise and improper diet are among the leading causes for obesity, so I don’t see how something that is self-inflicted can be classified as a disease. Rather, obesity is an individual’s lifestyle choice and does not warrant the same privileges as the other uncontrollable causes for obesity. 

Regrettably, our politically correct society is endorsing this unhealthy way of living by providing monetary benefits and positive reinforcements to obese people who are responsible for being obese.  

The U.S. Social Security Administration released a clause defining how obese and overweight individuals can acquire disability benefits. While it’s difficult for a person to receive benefits on his or her obesity alone, as the person’s physical and/or mental abilities must be considered significantly impaired, it creates easier ways to qualify for disability.

The Social Security Help website explains that individuals who do not get accepted for benefits because of their obesity alone can still get accepted as long as their weight problem is causing other health issues that hinder their working abilities. The health problems can include high blood pressure, poor circulation, respiratory functions, et cetera.

Unfortunately, this precedent makes receiving benefits too easy for individuals who are obese by lifestyle choices and not by medical conditions.

The Oxford Journal published that at least two-thirds of the prevalence of high blood pressure can be directly attributed to obesity. This makes the attainability of disability benefits far too accessible for obese individuals. 

While I believe some individuals suffering from obesity deserve disability benefits, it’s a lot less people than are currently getting benefits. In order to receive benefits, and to be called a disease, obesity should be medically evaluated and associated with a bodily malfunction.

The true leading causes for obesity don’t warrant awards and positive reinforcement. While almost all obese people suffer from some other health problems, if the obesity did not originally stem from a bodily malfunction, why does it deserve to be reimbursed?