Question:
Can you help me locate this...

I've read several posts that people have written saying that the NIH says morbid obesity is a "disease." I'd like to find something to print out to send to my appeal board regarding this. I haven't been able to locate anything that actually says morbid obesity is a "disease." Can you tell me where I can find this information? I've searched a lot of the NIH's sites and still, nothing. Help!!!    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 30, 2000)

October 17, 2000
http://www.asbp.org/obesity.htm It's not the NIH, but it seems like an authoritative source.
   — Lynn K.

February 20, 2003
The part of NIH (the National Institute of Health) which describes WLS as a treatment for morbid obesity is www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/gastric/gastricsurgery.htm. The NIH is comprised of several different branches all dealing with different areas of health care. For example, my boyfriend works for NIMH (the National Institute of Mental Health), which is another branch of NIH. The branch dealing with morbid obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease is NIDDK (the National Institute of Diabetes & Diabetes & Kidney Diseases). Their main page is at www.niddk.nih.gov. The link to NIH is www.nih.gov. NIDDK is the branch that did the research on WLS and why it is, therefore, an approved treatment for morbid obesity. I hope this has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me. Good luck!
   — SnowWhiteDove459