Controversy-Is Obesity and Illness

I wonder what your thoughts are on the topic.  I was watching a news blurb about yet another celebrity who has backslid and is back in rehab.  The program was very sympathetic and I do believe in sympathy.  Should obese people get the same sympathy?  (I won't even go there about the same insurance coverage).  Is obesity an illness or a symptom of some other, underlying illness?

I think everyone has their own veiw on this. mine is that I dont want you to feel sorry for me just accept me.

I don't want sympathy either, however I would like the same respect that are shown to others who struggle with over-indulgence-no matter what the substance of choice.

I feel that there are many factors causing obesity.  In my opinion, the three main factors are genetic, psychological and environmental.

I do believe that obesity is an illness and consider it to be a co-morbidity to other illnesses or vice-versa. I don't want sympathy for my illness because it's not the same as having cancer or other more serious type illnesses - but I really do truly believe it is an illness. I wish insurance companies would realize this and do better on paying! Tonja

My goodness, I've caused myself to think (very dangerous).  If an illness is defined as something that is harming your body and you have no control over, or have difficulty controlling, then yes, obesity is an illness. Further, saying it is an illness doesn't give you a free pass to do nothing-which is what a lot of people have insinuated to me in the past.  "it's a cop out".  I have other illnesses as well, and I take responsibility for caring for all them-my bad foot, my eyes, etc.  And just like other illnesses, we have the power to determne the outcome to some degree.