Living ~400lbs

… and believe me I am still alive

In The News

The AMA has endorsed the idea that “obesity” is a disease, not a “condition”.  (Personally I consider it a characteristic.)  Forbes states that this is “a move member physicians hope will spur better reimbursement for treating overweight Americans and create better health outcomes.”  Exactly how it’s supposed to “create better health outcomes” when commonly prescribed treatments do not work long-term or create good health outcomes is not addressed.

In good things, Shakesville’s Fatsronauts 101 series continues to hit it out of the park.

The NY Times does a piece on Melissa McCarthy that doesn’t focus on her weight.  That’s allowed?

The NY Times also reminds people go get some sleep.

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Living 400lbs

I blog about what it’s like to be live life at about 400lbs. :)

5 responses to “In The News”

  1. Patsy Nevins Avatar
    Patsy Nevins

    Actually, from what I read in the link I found on my facebook page, the AMA said that ‘obesity’ is NOT a disease. Of course, their attitude is still a long way from what I want to see them say, that fat is just a normal, natural biological variation in the way human beings are made. I expect that pigs will fly before that happens, as there is just too much money to be made convincing people that they CAN & SHOULD manipulate the size of their bodies. I also don’t consider my size a ‘condition’, but a combination of my genes, aging, childbearing, menopause & my body’s reaction to all the compulsive exercising I have done in my life. Considering that I have been one of the healthiest people I know for nearly 64 years now (knock on wood, since we all know anything can happen to anyone at any moment), I have never been able to see my body size as a ‘disease.’

    Reply
    1. Living 400lbs Avatar
      Living 400lbs

      An AMA committee had recommended against considering it a disease – perhaps that’s where the confusion comes from? And the AMA really has no authority on the matter.

      The American Medical Association has officially recognized obesity as a disease, a move that could induce physicians to pay more attention to the condition and spur more insurers to pay for treatments.

      In making the recommendation, delegates at the association’s annual meeting in Chicago overrode a recommendation against doing so by a committee that had studied the matter.

      “Recognizing obesity as a disease will help change the way the medical community tackles this complex issue that affects approximately one in three Americans,” Dr. Patrice Harris, a member of the association’s board, said in a statement.

      To some extent, the question of whether obesity is a disease or not is a semantic one, since there is not even a universally agreed upon definition of what constitutes a disease. And the A.M.A.’s decision has no legal authority.

      Still, some doctors and obesity advocates said that having the nation’s largest physician group make the declaration would focus more attention on it.

      Because more attention on fattery is just what we need. *headdesk*

      Reply
      1. Patsy Nevins Avatar
        Patsy Nevins

        I owe you an apology. I misread what I saw on facebook. I see that the AMA was told by the Counsel on Science & Public Health that obesity is not a disease, but the AMA, not wanting to see their huge ‘obesity’-related profits decline, ignored them & labeled every single one of us a ‘disease.’ I should have known, we have never gotten a break of any kind from the AMA. I am sorry for the misunderstanding. I will have to not rely on what someone comments on facebook & go read the original article next time.

        Reply
        1. Living 400lbs Avatar
          Living 400lbs

          No worries. I know at least one article gave the impression that the Counsel on Science & Public Health was the final word on the matter.

          Reply
  2. closetpuritan Avatar
    closetpuritan

    The Atlantic also has an article about the importance of sleep, for hospital patients specifically.

    A hospital near me is constructing a new building and it’s going to add a lot of single-occupancy rooms to their hospital. Better sleep for patients was one of the reasons they cited. I’m surprised the Atlantic article didn’t mention the sleep interruptions that a 2nd patient in the room can add; I’m guessing that both the author and the person researching sleep & hospital patients decided to spend the extra money for a private room.

    Reply

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Former software tester, now retired heart patient having fun and working on building endurance and strength. See also About page.

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