Miller 1

Megan Miller
ENG 112
Mrs.Pettay
25 March 2016
Obesity
Disease. It is the number one cause of death in the United States. And it is number two,
three, five, six, seven, eight, and nine out of the top ten causes of death in the United States.
Ranging from cancer to kidney, disease plagues our nation. Merriam- Webster defines disease as
an agent that impairs the normal function of the body. Some would say obesity is a disease
because it impairs normal mobility, leading 33% of the obese population resorting to jointreplacement surgery (procon). However, some argue that since obesity is preventable, it is not a
disease, and should not be treated as such. Both sides arguments are valid, and their common
goal is to help stop the prevention of obesity in the United States.
A common assumption made by critics of the growing trend of obesity is that it is simply
a result of eating too much, or drinking high-calorie beverages. In 2013, 31.8% of Americans
were obese, compared to 14% in the 1970s (procon). This can be attributed to the transformation
of technology. Since games and fun are now in the palm of our hands, many people now find it a
waste of their time to go outside to play or exercise. The jump is made that obesity is a side
effect of the trend of technology and processed foods, not a genetic predisposition.
Obesity is a disease. Obesity is inherited just as hair color and height are (procon).
Parents genes have a large biological role in determining whether offspring will be obese. This

Miller 2

disease decreases life expectancy and could lead to other fatal diseases as well. Obesity accounts
for 10% of the deaths in the United States (procon). People who are obese have an abnormal
regulation of food intake, which leads to immobility in the knees and hips, depending on how
obese they are. Scott Kahan stated obesity satisfies all the definitions and criteria of what a
disease and medical condition is The one difference is that people who have obesity have to
wear their disease on the outside (procon). I agree with this statement in that it affects obesity
patients on the outside and its visual rather than on the inside. Its just a different kind of the
many diseases out there.
Both of these sides seem to be complete opposites, but they do have a common ground.
Obesity is a problem in the United States. The obesity rate is too high and they both agree that
they want it lower. They also agree that there are multiple side effects of being obese that can
physically hurt someone. Food affects the body in more ways than one, and both sides are trying
to figure out how and why it impacts people the way it does. They both want healthier and
happier people and that is their common ground.
When people say that obesity is a disease, they are only trying to help those that have the
problem and need medical help. Bringing attention to obesity will help the medical community
develop ways to stop this disease and put people back on track to a healthier lifestyle. Everyone
deserves a happier life, lets give it to them and bring awareness to obesity.

Miller 3

Works Cited

Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"ProCon.org - Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., 2016. Web.
23 Mar. 2016.