A new national survey shows that most Americans now understand that obesity is a real medical disease, not a personal failure.
The survey, done by The Harris Poll for the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), found that nearly two‑thirds of Americans believe obesity is a chronic condition that needs proper treatment.
At the same time, more than eight in ten think insurance should help pay for obesity care, including medications and surgery. This shows that the public clearly understands the seriousness of obesity and the need for medical support.
Doctors who treat obesity say this is an important change. Dr. Pooja Singhal, a gastroenterologist and obesity medicine specialist, explained that people know losing weight can prevent many other major diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease.
However, even though people understand this, many still cannot get treatment. The biggest barrier is cost. The survey highlights how urgently patients need better access to safe and effective obesity treatments.
The survey also showed that weight‑loss methods are widely known. Two‑thirds of Americans say they know about popular diet trends like keto or intermittent fasting, and nearly six in ten know about new weight‑loss medications and surgeries.
Even with this knowledge, more than four in five Americans say they face barriers that make treatment difficult or impossible. The biggest problem is high out‑of‑pocket costs, which half of the people reported. Another major problem is that many insurance plans refuse to cover weight‑loss medication or surgery.
More than half of Americans think losing weight requires help from a health‑care provider. Eight in ten say gastroenterologists play a key role in obesity care, especially because obesity can lead to serious digestive and liver problems.
However, many people cannot afford anything beyond changing their diet and exercise habits. Some said they struggle to find doctors with available appointments, while others said long wait times also stand in the way.
Dr. Singhal explained that gastroenterologists should be seen as frontline doctors for obesity treatment, because obesity is strongly linked to conditions like metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Many of these health problems can improve with proper weight management. But patients often cannot get medical help unless insurance covers it.
Right now, Medicare is not allowed to cover weight‑loss medications unless the patient has another medical condition. A new law called the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) was introduced in 2013 to allow Medicare to cover more obesity treatments, but Congress has not passed it even after twelve years.
Many health experts believe that passing this law would open the door for millions of older adults to get early treatment and prevent serious health problems.
The survey also found that many Americans have medical conditions linked to obesity. About seven in ten said they had been diagnosed with at least one illness, and 17 percent reported having obesity.
People with obesity were more likely to have other health problems and more likely to say they had trouble getting weight‑loss treatment. Most Americans said that obesity is caused by several factors, including eating habits, physical activity levels, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and genetics.
Almost nine in ten Americans believe that obesity raises the risk of other chronic diseases. Many also understand that obesity increases the risk of liver disease, with nearly two‑thirds aware of this connection. These findings show that the public understands obesity as a complicated medical condition, not something caused by lack of willpower.
In reviewing this study, it is clear that Americans are educated and ready for better obesity treatment options, but the health‑care system has not caught up.
Cost remains the biggest obstacle, and lack of insurance coverage prevents people from getting medications or procedures that could protect their long‑term health. The research suggests that expanding coverage—especially through laws like TROA—could help people get treatment earlier and avoid serious complications.
This survey also highlights an important message: obesity is a medical disease with many causes. People want treatment, understand the risks, and know that doctors play a key role. But until insurance coverage improves, many will continue to struggle without the care they need.
The findings point to a clear path forward: make treatment affordable, expand access, and support patients with real medical care.
If you care about weight, please read studies about diet that can treat fatty liver disease, obesity, and hop extract could reduce belly fat in overweight people.
For more information about weight, please see recent studies about how to curb your cravings for ready-to-eat foods, and results showing what you can eat to speed your metabolism up.
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