Obesity is a disease – treating it like one could be a game changer for healthcare

Contrary to popular belief that obesity is a simple problem of willpower, diet, and exercise, the World Health Organization now recognises obesity as a chronic disease influenced by genetics, hormones, and environmental factors. Increasingly, there is also evidence that metabolic and hormonal imbalances can make weight loss challenging without the help of medical intervention.

Re-categorising obesity as a disease and treating it as a medical condition could help those struggling with the condition to have better support and resource allocation for the necessary treatments.

Adjunct Assistant Professor Kyle Tan from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health emphasised that battling obesity goes beyond the individual. It requires a holistic approach at the public health systemic level to shift outdated notions of willpower to a science-backed understanding and ensure the right resources, such as government funding, insurance coverage, and medical support, are in place.

Adj Asst Prof Tan, who is also co-founder and consultant at Novi Health, highlighted the important role of employers, insurers, and governments in creating environments where healthier choices are easier to make through workplace wellness programmes, better urban planning, and ensuring that the latest medical treatments are affordable and accessible.

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