This topic explores the extent to which public health medicine programs provide psychological and behavioural support for obese individuals and how these programs can be improved to better support patients before and after bariatric surgery or bariatric medical intervention.

Congrats Chinua Onyebuchi ; good work; some aspects of this great medical problem may be country specific, imo.

______

Example: Unlike various countries and organisations, including the World Health Organisation and the European Parliament, the United Kingdom does not formally recognise obesity as a disease.

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you all for your contributions and recommendations.

Being A Public Health Consultant Researcher really I appreciated your work Great Congratulations 🎉

Thank you very much @Amjad Ali Khan. This really means a lot. Thank you.

List of countries that recognize Obesity as a disease

Here is a list of countries and regions that have officially recognized obesity as a disease:

United States

The American Medical Association (AMA) recognized obesity as a disease in 2013.

Canada

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recognized obesity as a chronic disease in 2015.

United Kingdom

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) recognized obesity as a disease in 2019.

Portugal

In 2019, the Portuguese government recognized obesity as a chronic disease.

Italy

The Italian Society of Obesity (SIO) considers obesity a disease, and Italy has taken steps towards formal recognition.

India

The Indian government and medical bodies have recognized obesity as a disease, particularly as part of the broader non-communicable disease (NCD) framework.

Germany

Germany has recognized obesity as a disease, and this is reflected in healthcare policy and treatment guidelines.

Spain

Spain recognizes obesity as a chronic disease and has integrated it into healthcare policy.

Japan

Japan recognizes obesity as a disease, particularly within its Metabolic Syndrome policies.

Sweden

Sweden recognizes obesity as a disease, and it is managed within the healthcare system accordingly.

Mexico

The Mexican government and healthcare system recognize obesity as a chronic disease.

Australia

Australian health authorities have recognized obesity as a disease, with efforts to integrate it into public health strategies.

This list is not exhaustive, and the recognition of obesity as a disease may vary by specific regions or medical organizations within countries.

Additionally, the interpretation and implementation of this recognition can differ, impacting healthcare practices and policies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not officially classify obesity as a disease in its own right. However, the WHO acknowledges that obesity is a significant public health issue and a major risk factor for a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and certain cancers.

The WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) lists obesity under "Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases," recognizing it as a medical condition. While it stops short of labeling obesity as a "disease" per se, the classification underscores its importance as a condition that requires medical attention and management.

In summary, while the WHO recognizes obesity as a critical health concern and a condition with serious implications, it does not explicitly label it as a disease in the way some national medical organizations and governments do.

References

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Obesity: Identification, Assessment, and Management [Internet]. London: NICE; 2019 [cited 2024 Aug 27]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg189

Congrats Chinua Onyebuchi for your extensive good work! The preventive role of Public Health to combat obesity is immense, doable and hence cannot be overemphasized. With advancing technology and changing lifestyles it is a simmering issue affecting all age groups that needs attention, as its grave consequences are preventable. The integrated approach will definitely play a crucial role and be beneficial to us.

@Chitra Netare, thank you very much.

Congratulations sir @Chinua Onyebuchi,this is one of the peculiar problems relating to both Medicine and Public Health, especially amongst Elite groups in developing countries and developed communities. The earlier the better, societal problems needs to be addressed by proactive measures, and only researchers can provide insights to their solutions.

Thank you for engaging and sharing your professional insights.