AMA Says that Obesity is Not a Disability

June 19, 2009

At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association on Tuesday, the issue of whether or not obesity can be considered a disability was put to a vote. Many individuals argue that obesity can cause arthritis, an elevated blood pressure, and a weakened heart. Some who are morbidly obese even require a walker, wheelchair, or cane to get around.

However, at its annual meeting, the American Medical Association voted “no.” It chose to do so because it feels that such a decision is truly in the patients’ best interest. It does not want to limit the ability of doctors to talk to their patients about such a serious issue.

In the United States, nearly one in three people is obese, and laws do not always cover size discrimination (for instance, on airlines, a passenger can be forced to purchase two seats if he or she is too large to fit into one). However, many believe that making life simpler for the morbidly obese will not help to remedy the enormous problem.