Is Obesity Really a Disease?

How much do our genetics determine our destiny when it comes to how much we weigh? Cambridge geneticist Giles Yeo says your genes play a bigger role than you might think. “In casino terms, the house will always win if the die is weighted just a little bit one way versus the other.” On today’s Chasing Life, Professor Yeo, a pioneer in the field of obesity research, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain his ground-breaking research into why some people are genetically predisposed to eat more, and why it’s still so controversial to classify obesity as a “disease.” Plus, Professor Yeo shares how to treat and prevent obesity, a condition that impacts more than 40 percent of Americans, and counting.

[bobxoneill]

i have high blood pressure and the other factors are fine. at age 57 i walk 3 miles daily in under and hour, wearing a weight vest and my heart rate does not leave zone 1.

also i have had 2 calcium scans (10 years apart) both results scored 0 plaque.

i carry too much fat but my frame is bizarre for my height. at 5’11” the BMI chart says I should weigh a number I have never weighed! (no more than 174)

let me give a striking example. at the height of my conditioning (age 18 running 5 miles and working out)….i was NOT qualified to join the Army because my documented weight was 220lbs at 5’11”

a pinch test resolved it and i was able to serve my country. at 220lbs i was able to get the max score on the Army physical fitness test.

my MINIMUM weight is 220, which is the start of the red zone at 5’11”

my waist size at its smallest is 38-39 inches….not like my stepson…who has a slender body type and his waist is 32”


lastly, i feel we need to stay brutally honest with ourselves if we are carrying too much fat. last summer i lost 80+ lbs by not eating...that is all I did, no exercise mania,

i was hungry all day, every day, but i just kept saying "no" for as long as I could (8 months).


i still had BP issues but required a lower dose. the lowest my weight got was 235.

for me brutal honesty just means getting real with the situation: my weight may be genetic but i know that if i reduce food intake I will lose weight.

it isnt a fate problem, or slow metabolism...or a goofy thyroid (i have hashimotos and lost 80 pounds). it is too much food going into my face that increases my weight. this kind of honesty may not work for everyone...but i love it.

[ernestagnew]

I would love to hear this man's insight into lipedema. Not to be confused with lymphedema. My wife was recently diagnosed with lipedema and that insight has been a game changer in understanding the problems that she's had with weight. Healthy eating and working out 5 days a week never gave her the expected results, and it was never well understood why. Until recently.

[renarich]

What is a disease anyway? I do believe people are pre disposed to being fat and they do need another way to handle their weight. It’s not as simple as just eat less conditions like pcos and diabetes can affect weight gain along with medications and gut microbiome.
I do think some people are just greedy as well. I mean if a 4 year old is obese what do you do ?

[Prime]

I have been both lean and fat many times.

I watch people who are fat they eat carbs and fat. The average fat person eats more than the average skinny person of the same height, etc.

More of my fat friends are dead than my other friends.

[jodiwellner]

I’m glad that the medical world is finally coming to understand that obesity is not just a lack or will power

[kathym]

This was really an interesting discussion. I'm so pleased to have taken the time to listen. Thank you to both host and guest.. very informative 😊

[frankdux]

All cap. It's not a disease. Put the fork down. You just want someone to tell you it's ok. It's not.

[nmmaj]

Not ALWAYS a choice, leaves room classifying it both ways. The real distinction, as our medical knowledge increases, is between what we can DO about a disease that could be inherited .
Technically today
we can increase or decreases the effects of a disease by prevention and preemption .
The real problem then boils down to the inequality of the capacities of prevention and redress.. this is why for some, many cancers are controllable and for others malaria can still br a fatal disease.
The progress of knowledge is indeed independent of social inequality. But to reduce the decision making with regards to it as an individual choice is silly.

[annieb]

This was an incredibly thought provoking conversation. Absolutely changed my perspective on a lot of things!

[MelWilliford-duqk]

You can not go by the bmi chart, you have to figure muscle mass which weighs more than fat, im 5'2", when i got down to 124 lbs people thought i was dying of cancer

[ChrisoulaLakkas]

Remember when they told you the price increase on everything was temporary because of "supply chain issues" well what’s the problem now as greed comes to my mind.

[michaelbogan]

Sometimes our food hears us better than our friends and family. 🤔😪😪👽👽☠️🙏🙏🙏

[MelWilliford-duqk]

When i looked my best at 135 to 140, the charts said i was morbidly obese, i dont know what im called now 😂

[dontspeak]

reitired emt my 400 lb aunt passed away of nursing home fat discrimination im tired of that happening in ever nurseinghome

[brandona]

Inflammation can lead to disease and cancer. Mentioning because it's starting to be talked about more but not enough

[dutchkiwi]

I have been on the leaner side of the register, and have been criticized because of this, I have been a chef for 43 years, don't trust a skinny chef
I would comment you claim a fat gene I claim a skinny gene
but I find it hard to believe the fat gene is winning

[HEPHAESTUSBASKETBALLGREECE]

President Donald Trump 2020
The president when he talked about bloodbaths and animals just read the words he had to say on his way to the presidency

[Wiseamphibian]

My WISH for our country 🇺🇸; is for All of us to take the initiative to grow our own Vegetables in the Spring/Summer times depending on what part of the country we live in . Gardening & growing your Food will inspire us to eat healthier ; even in the winter season ; you’ll gravitate towards eating more vegetables, lean Proteins & avoid all the Junk Food that’s killing us . We’re mentally capable of Avoiding Toxic Foods, unhealthy Fats, Sugary drinks & Sedentary lifestyles. Once you’re Obese, losing all that weight ain’t easy !! Let’s change the narrative & it all starts with what we Nourish ourselves with every single Day/Months/Years😌😌!!!!

[Craigskitchen]

Mr Endocrinologist says that these drugs will be more available soon as they wil be made available for less

[tomdarling]

Thumbnail looks good, Sanjay.
I still see that kid I once knew in your face. Made me smile when I was scrolling through. Thought I should probably scroll back and at least say hi. Chasing life. Beautiful Mission Sanjay. I already hit 56. You can't be too far behind. Who would have thunk it. Damn how time flies. Give your wife a big Darling hug for me. The last time I think I saw you both in person was the day you gave that vala victorian speech. Love you brother keep kicking ass. If you run across Bret Bar anywhere, punch him in the shoulder for me. If he looks at you funny, just tell him that was from me. Proud of you both.
✌️ Peace 🤟 I love you 🖖 Live long and prosper.