A national survey of public views about the classification of obesity as a disease.

OBJECTIVE

In 2013, the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease. This study assessed public opinions about this disease classification.

METHODS

In January 2014, a national sample of 1118 adults completed surveys assessing their agreement with 33 statements in support of and against the disease classification of obesity, as well as measures assessing sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The majority of participants (51-61.7%) agreed with 11 of 17 statements in support of the disease classification of obesity (average agreement across all statements = 51%), including views that it will help people gain access to obesity treatment. A minority of participants (31-47.3%) agreed with 15 of 16 statements against the disease classification (average agreement across statements = 39.5%), including views that it will increase overreliance on medications or surgery to treat obesity (47.3%). Participants' attitudes were unaffected by sex, income, education, or health status but were related to causal beliefs about obesity. The disease classification received more support from African Americans and more opposition by individuals with higher weight stigma.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found more public agreement supporting the disease classification of obesity than opposing it. Further work should identify whether this classification affects health behaviors among individuals with obesity or societal weight stigmatization.