Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) and University of Galway suggest renaming “obesity” to help improve public and policymaker understanding of the disease.
Published in Obesity Reviews, the study argues that the term “obesity” currently leads to confusion, as it can refer to the disease of obesity, a Body Mass Index (BMI) range, or a combination of both.
The researchers propose a shift in focus from body size to underlying pathophysiology and suggest adopting a different diagnostic term like ‘adiposity-based chronic disease’ to better reflect the complex nature of the condition.
Dr. Margaret Steele, a postdoctoral researcher at UCC, and Professor Francis Finucane, a Consultant Endocrinologist at the University of Galway, note that the term “obesity” does not accurately convey the environmental, genetic, physiological, behavioral, and developmental factors involved in the disease.
The current misunderstanding of the term could potentially affect the equitable distribution of new appetite-control medications, as patients with obesity might be deprioritized based on incorrect assumptions about their need for the medication.
The researchers also distinguish between the disease of obesity and the desire to be “fashionably” thin.
They emphasize that obesity medications, such as semaglutide, make behavioral change possible, but neither unnecessary nor easy for those living with the disease.
The use of such drugs should be focused on creating healthy food environments and providing appropriate treatment for people with chronic metabolic diseases, not merely promoting thinness.
This research is an important call for a change in perspective on obesity. It aims to shift the focus from body size and weight to a more holistic view of the disease, taking into account various underlying factors.
This reorientation could potentially improve public understanding, reduce stigma, and facilitate more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
However, changing established terminology would require a significant, concerted effort from the medical community, policymakers, and society at large.
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The study was published in Obesity Reviews. Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
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