Is obesity a disease?

All too often, we're quick to judge someone who is obese, labeling them in our mind -- and sometimes out loud -- as weak-willed and lazy. Obesity is a very serious health risk, but as far as it's cause goes, it's considered self-inflicted, or as one author says, 'a moral failing.'

But is obesity a disease? Some of you will say no -- cancer is a disease, eating too much and getting fat is not. Calling it a disease implies that the person affected had little to do with the problem. But according to Divine Caroline, The Institute of Medicine says yes: "Obesity is a heterogeneous disease in which genetic, environmental, psychological, and other factors are involved. It occurs when energy intake exceeds the amount of energy expended over time. Only in a small minority of cases is obesity caused by such illnesses as hypothyroidism or the result of taking medications, such as steroids, that can cause weight gain."

What do you think?