Thread by @NeilFlochMD

As a physician, I find it shocking that patients with all diseases are not treated with the same respect and concern as one another. The truth is that someone with a cancer or heart condition has a respected medical disease and something with #obesity does NOT. 1/

The #US nation is now afflicted with #obesity. 42% of Americans suffer from this disease and while the news has covered many stories concerning these facts, the disease continue to rise in its frequency. Individuals continue the same habits that help contribute... 2/

Scientists continue to write endless articles on the subject with basic science that confirms the origins of this disease we know as #obesity. The politicians express great concern, but commit to little action. The insurance industry avoids care as much as possible. 3/

Many physicians cite unsubstantiated medical dogma and tell their patients to: “diet and exercise” and they will lose weight. Through this all there remains inaction for the country as a whole to do what is necessary to reduce the amount of people with #obesity 4/

#Obesity is a unlike other diseases. No other disease has a stigma to both the disease and its treatment except obesity and possibly addiction and mental illness. No other disease do you wear on your body for all to see. If you have obesity, everyone knows. 5/

People with #obesity must deal with it every day. Someone can forget they have a lung or heart condition but the pain in the joints, the sleep apnea, the difficulty moving, and especially the reflection in the mirror follow people every minute of the day. 6/

Judgement follows the #obesity disease. People are judged by their family, friends, and the public. Physicians judge patients with obesity. Most severely, society judges people with obesity and the ruling is almost always a negative one. 7/

Those who speak about #obesity are also judged. Those who fight for obesity are also judged and often ignored. Those who attempt to unite the afflicted patients and start to change the process, gather some interest but strong movements seem smaller than necessary and falter. 8/

#Obesity is a unique disease because those with it are ashamed to have it. They are shamed by family and friends. The AY are shamed by their physicians and the public. But... they need help. Many will NOT admit that they have the disease but the scale and mirror do not lie. 9/

They are shamed

People with #obesity say they are “big boned”, “don’t want to be too small”, “like to eat”, ... and many more. But no one wants to be too heavy. People are are afraid of the disease. People are ashamed of #obesity and society and government have failed to help them. 10/

There are solutions to the #obesity problem. First, we must admit that it is a disease. It has been made a disease but do the people believe it? Do the patients themselves believe it? Does the public believe that obesity is mainly a #genetic and environmental disease? 11/

Does the public believe that upbringing and current behavior contribute to #obesity but are not the most dominant causes? Society does not behave like it believes the truth. The truth is that science understands #obesity and many ways to treat this disease. 12/

To successfully adresss the #obesity epidemic, we must: 1. And it it is a disease 2. Take political and societical steps to alter the environment - surroundings and food 3. Take steps to address the genetic disease of obesity 4. Support laws that mandate insurance coverage. 13/

As #obesity is stigmatized, so are those who speak about it - rarely are we elevated to levels where our message is heard by ENOUGH of others - I have tried my best to spread this message - it has become my life’s work. Thanks

(Correction) The truth is that someone with a cancer or heart condition has a respected medical disease while someone with obesity does NOT.

(Correction) 1. Admit that it is a disease.