Obesity has played a major role in the media over the past decade. With growing concern over the issue, a controversy has developed as to whether obesity is a disease itself or not. Obesity, by definition, is a condition characterized by excessive accumulation and deposition of fat in the body, usually indicated by a body mass index of 30 or more. According to the currently accepted definition of disease, a condition of the body or one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and typically manifests itself with distinctive signs and symptoms, it can be concluded that obesity does not meet the criteria to be classified as a disease. For obesity to be a disease, it should impair the function of a individual and/or present signs or distinguishable symptoms. Obesity does not have the signs and symptoms associated with being a disease. The only sign is the presence of excess fat, which, by definition, is obesity itself. To indicate whether a person is obese, a calculation that takes height and weight into account is used to determine the person's body mass index (BMI). If the result is 30 or higher, the individual is considered obese. BMI has a strong correlation with excess body fat, but it does not measure it directly, making it an inaccurate assessment of health. Most people with a high BMI do not have disabilities and have no problems with daily functioning. In some extreme cases, a large amount of excess fat can reduce mobility, but this is certainly not the case for most obese individuals. Because obesity rarely causes any kind of impairment in normal functioning, it does not meet the standards for being a disease. It is difficult to deny that obesity is commonly attributed to the development of diseases such as ... middle of paper ... ...practices that are most accessible to people can have a very negative outcome. Positive results can be achieved solely through exercise and diet which do not require a medical diagnosis. Obesity is a growing concern in America because it puts people at risk for disease. Obesity does not fall within the definition of a disease and can be easily prevented or controlled through diet and regular exercise. A person's genetics may not always allow them to reach an ideal weight, but eating well and staying active will keep them healthy and reduce their risk of developing obesity-related diseases. The government's recent push to treat obesity as a disease is ineffective and could have negative repercussions. With the right strategies and knowledge there is no limit to how big a person needs to be to live a full and fully functional life without being diagnosed with an illness.