Updated on December 17, 2024.
A chronic disease generally refers to a health condition that persists for a long time. The exact definition of “a long time” can vary depending on the condition and the source describing that condition. In many cases, chronic refers to diseases that typically cannot be cured, but can be managed with ongoing treatment.
Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive amounts of adipose tissue, or body fat. Adipose tissue is a connective tissue that provides support, structure, and protection for the body’s organs and tissues. It also stores fat that can be used as energy, and helps regulate many functions related to metabolism, immunity, reproduction, and other essential processes within the body. Having too much adipose tissue disrupts many of these processes, and can lead to complications and coexisting health conditions
Obesity is considered a chronic disease
Several leading health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) describe obesity as a chronic condition or chronic disease. In 2013, the American Medical Association classified obesity as a chronic disease, a decision that was made based on three decades of research.
Here are a few reasons why obesity is categorized as a chronic disease:
Obesity is a long-lasting disease
Mentioned above, the most basic definition of a chronic disease is one that lasts for a long time. Obesity cannot be cured, and treatment for the condition is often a continuous and lifelong process. Once a person achieves weight reduction, a person must continue to take steps to prevent weight gain (including changes to nutrition and exercise).
Obesity has complex causes
Obesity does not have a single cause, and it occurs as the result of multiple contributing factors. Some of these risk factors are things a person has control over, such as food choices and exercise habits. Other risk factors a person does not have control over. These include the health of a person’s biological mother during pregnancy, the environment where a person spent the first years of their life, socioeconomic status, and genetics.
There is an established link between genetics and obesity. Genes have a significant impact on how a person experiences feelings of hunger and fullness, and how the body stores and distributes fat. It is also established that obesity is hereditary for many families.
Obesity is a significant health risk
Like other chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes), obesity tends to get worse if left untreated, causing more severe complications and health problems. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, breathing problems, hypertension, fertility problems, and many other conditions. Obesity has also been shown to shorten life expectancy.
Beyond these health risks, obesity can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. People with obesity often face stigma for their condition, and experience lower self-esteem and higher levels of stress.
Treatment for obesity
People who are affected by obesity should seek treatment with a healthcare provider. There may not be a cure for obesity, but there are therapies that can help a person with this condition reduce weight and improve health. Treatment for obesity is also improving, with a better understanding of the underlying causes of the condition and improved access to treatment.
