The American Medical Association has officially recognized obesity as a disease, a decision that could persuade physicians to pay more attention to the condition and encourage more insurers to pay for obesity-related treatments.

“Acknowledging obesity as a disease will help reshape the way the medical community approaches this complex issue that affects approximately one in three Americans,” Dr. Alexander Abkin, a board-certified bariatric surgeon, said in a statement. He suggested the new definition would help in the fight against Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are linked to obesity. Read more