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Mon. Jan 1, 12:00am

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Hmmm...so I've been pondering this all day. Here's what I've come up with. I don't care what they call it if the end result is more people end up dealing with their obesity and make changes to get healthier. I think treating obesity will cost less in the long run vs. untreated obesity and the myriad of health problems associated with it -all of which drive up health costs, employer costs, etc. Either way, if you look at it as something for which "I'm paying for" I'd much rather people take action and deal with it - I'm all for people taking control of their lives and their health and getting whatever help they need to achieve it. And I don't actually get mad at people's self destructive behaviors for driving up my health insurance costs, I get royally ticked off that I don't get a discount for RARELY needing health care.

Maybe some people need to feel it's beyond their control before they take control, but I'm guessing the medical community classified it as a disease more for the predictable and negative outcome if left untreated vs. this idea that it lets people off the hook for personal responsibility. So, ultimately, I think not treating obesity if FAR more expensive in the long run than whatever costs may or may not be incurred for classifying it as a disease.

And don't even get me started on the US, GMOs, Big Business food and agriculture, etc. It's all related!! UGH.



Sunday, June 23, 2013, 3:45 PM

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I am the Queen of Personal Responsibility (QPR) But oh my - food companies put all kinds of stuff in their foods for the explicit purpose of triggering the desire for more and more and more. They don't sell us food - they sell us chemically laden, laboratory created concoctions presented as a food item! And they fight tooth and nail to prevent truth in labeling, and they share brain research with tobacco companies - is that what we consumers demand and desire? To be sold food that's addictive? And while genetics haven't changed in the last 100 years the food industry has absolutely changed. Soley responsibly? Absolutely not. Complicit? How could it not play a role?

But forget all the WHY - it's here and it doesn't boil down to one singular factor. People are obese, children are obese, people need help. If by somehow calling it a disease helps - great. I would never begrudge anyone seeking treatment for something that is self destructive.

(btw - Years ago I used to be the one arguing that food companies and McDonald's etc. weren't forcing anyone to buy their food - it's all individual choice.!)

Sunday, June 23, 2013, 11:56 PM

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11:56

^^ bravo!

Monday, June 24, 2013, 12:13 AM

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Other thoughts...The medical community treats lung cancer, and other cancers as diseases. The evidence is overwhelming that smoking, eating processed food, and other human behaviors strongly contribute to the onset of these diseases. It might save the insurance companies, and us, more in the long run if energy, money and education were directed at preventing addiction and "curing" addiction. What percentage of our diseases are causes genetics; what percentage are caused by our behavior, and do we really want to break it down that way? Maybe we need to be educated in pursuing healthy pleasure, rather than falling into the trap of addiction. Just thinking...

Link

Monday, June 24, 2013, 12:34 PM

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