The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference
Summary: 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. This report presents the discussion on the potential impact of defining obesity as a disease on the patient,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2023-04-01
|
| Series: | EClinicalMedicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023001396 |
| _version_ | 1797850446171209728 |
|---|---|
| author | Migena Luli Giles Yeo Emma Farrell Jane Ogden Helen Parretti Emma Frew Stephen Bevan Adrian Brown Jennifer Logue Vinod Menon Nadya Isack Michael Lean Chris McEwan Paul Gately Simon Williams Nerys Astbury Maria Bryant Kenneth Clare Georgios K. Dimitriadis Graham Finlayson Nicola Heslehurst Brett Johnson Sarah Le Brocq Audrey Roberts Patrick McGinley Julia Mueller Mary O'Kane Rachel L. Batterham Alexander Dimitri Miras |
| author_facet | Migena Luli Giles Yeo Emma Farrell Jane Ogden Helen Parretti Emma Frew Stephen Bevan Adrian Brown Jennifer Logue Vinod Menon Nadya Isack Michael Lean Chris McEwan Paul Gately Simon Williams Nerys Astbury Maria Bryant Kenneth Clare Georgios K. Dimitriadis Graham Finlayson Nicola Heslehurst Brett Johnson Sarah Le Brocq Audrey Roberts Patrick McGinley Julia Mueller Mary O'Kane Rachel L. Batterham Alexander Dimitri Miras |
| author_sort | Migena Luli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: 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. This report presents the discussion on the potential impact of defining obesity as a disease on the patient, the healthcare system, the economy, and the wider society. A group of speakers from a wide range of disciplines came together to debate the topic bringing their knowledge and expertise from backgrounds in medicine, psychology, economics, and politics as well as the experience of people living with obesity. The aim of their debate was not to decide whether obesity should be classified as a disease but rather to explore what the implications of doing so would be, what the gaps in the available data are, as well as to provide up-to-date information on the topic from experts in the field. There were four topics where speakers presented their viewpoints, each one including a question-and-answer section for debate. The first one focused on the impact that the recognition of obesity could have on people living with obesity regarding the change in their behaviour, either positive and empowering or more stigmatising. During the second one, the impact of defining obesity as a disease on the National Health Service and the wider economy was discussed. The primary outcome was the need for more robust data as the one available does not represent the actual cost of obesity. The third topic was related to the policy implications regarding treatment provision, focusing on the public's power to influence policy. Finally, the last issue discussed, included the implications of public health actions, highlighting the importance of the government's actions and private stakeholders. The speakers agreed that no matter where they stand on this debate, the goal is common: to provide a healthcare system that supports and protects the patients, strategies that protect the economy and broader society, and policies that reduce stigma and promote health equity. Many questions are left to be answered regarding how these goals can be achieved. However, this discussion has set a good foundation providing evidence that can be used by the public, clinicians, and policymakers to make that happen. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:01:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-907f9286175444e9940875195d5863c0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2589-5370 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:01:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EClinicalMedicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-907f9286175444e9940875195d5863c02023-04-08T05:14:18ZengElsevierEClinicalMedicine2589-53702023-04-0158101962The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conferenceMigena Luli0Giles Yeo1Emma Farrell2Jane Ogden3Helen Parretti4Emma Frew5Stephen Bevan6Adrian Brown7Jennifer Logue8Vinod Menon9Nadya Isack10Michael Lean11Chris McEwan12Paul Gately13Simon Williams14Nerys Astbury15Maria Bryant16Kenneth Clare17Georgios K. Dimitriadis18Graham Finlayson19Nicola Heslehurst20Brett Johnson21Sarah Le Brocq22Audrey Roberts23Patrick McGinley24Julia Mueller25Mary O'Kane26Rachel L. Batterham27Alexander Dimitri Miras28Division of Medicine and Integrated Care, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United KingdomDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United KingdomSchool of Education, University College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandSchool of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, United KingdomNorwich Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, United KingdomHealth Economics Unit, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, United KingdomHR Research Development, Institute for Employment, Brighton, United KingdomDepartment of Experimental and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United KingdomLancaster Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United KingdomDepartment of Upper Gastrointestinal Team, University Hospitals and Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United KingdomObesity Empowerment Network, London, United KingdomSchool of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United KingdomDarlington Borough Council, United KingdomObesity Institute, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United KingdomIpswich Hospital NHS Trust, Ipswich, United KingdomNuffield Department of Primary Care Sciences, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United KingdomDepartment of Health Sciences and the Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United KingdomEuropean Coalition for People Living with Obesity, United KingdomDepartment of Endocrinology ASO/EASO COM, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Corresponding author. Department of Endocrinology ASO/EASO COM, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom.School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, United KingdomPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United KingdomDepartment of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United KingdomAll About Obesity, Harrogate, United KingdomEuropean Coalition for People Living with Obesity, United KingdomDepartment of Finance, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Kent, United KingdomEpidemiology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United KingdomDietetic Department, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United KingdomSchool of Life and Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; School of Medicine, Ulster University, United KingdomSummary: 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. This report presents the discussion on the potential impact of defining obesity as a disease on the patient, the healthcare system, the economy, and the wider society. A group of speakers from a wide range of disciplines came together to debate the topic bringing their knowledge and expertise from backgrounds in medicine, psychology, economics, and politics as well as the experience of people living with obesity. The aim of their debate was not to decide whether obesity should be classified as a disease but rather to explore what the implications of doing so would be, what the gaps in the available data are, as well as to provide up-to-date information on the topic from experts in the field. There were four topics where speakers presented their viewpoints, each one including a question-and-answer section for debate. The first one focused on the impact that the recognition of obesity could have on people living with obesity regarding the change in their behaviour, either positive and empowering or more stigmatising. During the second one, the impact of defining obesity as a disease on the National Health Service and the wider economy was discussed. The primary outcome was the need for more robust data as the one available does not represent the actual cost of obesity. The third topic was related to the policy implications regarding treatment provision, focusing on the public's power to influence policy. Finally, the last issue discussed, included the implications of public health actions, highlighting the importance of the government's actions and private stakeholders. The speakers agreed that no matter where they stand on this debate, the goal is common: to provide a healthcare system that supports and protects the patients, strategies that protect the economy and broader society, and policies that reduce stigma and promote health equity. Many questions are left to be answered regarding how these goals can be achieved. However, this discussion has set a good foundation providing evidence that can be used by the public, clinicians, and policymakers to make that happen.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023001396ObesityPolicyPublic healthHealthcare systemHealth equity |
| spellingShingle | Migena Luli Giles Yeo Emma Farrell Jane Ogden Helen Parretti Emma Frew Stephen Bevan Adrian Brown Jennifer Logue Vinod Menon Nadya Isack Michael Lean Chris McEwan Paul Gately Simon Williams Nerys Astbury Maria Bryant Kenneth Clare Georgios K. Dimitriadis Graham Finlayson Nicola Heslehurst Brett Johnson Sarah Le Brocq Audrey Roberts Patrick McGinley Julia Mueller Mary O'Kane Rachel L. Batterham Alexander Dimitri Miras The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference EClinicalMedicine Obesity Policy Public health Healthcare system Health equity |
| title | The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference |
| title_full | The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference |
| title_fullStr | The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference |
| title_full_unstemmed | The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference |
| title_short | The implications of defining obesity as a disease: a report from the Association for the Study of Obesity 2021 annual conference |
| title_sort | implications of defining obesity as a disease a report from the association for the study of obesity 2021 annual conference |
| topic | Obesity Policy Public health Healthcare system Health equity |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023001396 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT migenaluli theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT gilesyeo theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT emmafarrell theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT janeogden theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT helenparretti theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT emmafrew theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT stephenbevan theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT adrianbrown theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT jenniferlogue theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT vinodmenon theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT nadyaisack theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT michaellean theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT chrismcewan theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT paulgately theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT simonwilliams theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT nerysastbury theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT mariabryant theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT kennethclare theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT georgioskdimitriadis theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT grahamfinlayson theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT nicolaheslehurst theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT brettjohnson theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT sarahlebrocq theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT audreyroberts theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT patrickmcginley theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT juliamueller theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT maryokane theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT rachellbatterham theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT alexanderdimitrimiras theimplicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT migenaluli implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT gilesyeo implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT emmafarrell implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT janeogden implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT helenparretti implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT emmafrew implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT stephenbevan implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT adrianbrown implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT jenniferlogue implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT vinodmenon implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT nadyaisack implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT michaellean implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT chrismcewan implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT paulgately implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT simonwilliams implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT nerysastbury implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT mariabryant implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT kennethclare implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT georgioskdimitriadis implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT grahamfinlayson implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT nicolaheslehurst implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT brettjohnson implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT sarahlebrocq implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT audreyroberts implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT patrickmcginley implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT juliamueller implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT maryokane implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT rachellbatterham implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference AT alexanderdimitrimiras implicationsofdefiningobesityasadiseaseareportfromtheassociationforthestudyofobesity2021annualconference |