According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one third of the United States adult population can be classified as obese (having a BMI greater than 30). In addition, there are about 12.5 million children and adolescents who are obese in America. Although there are many reasons for the growing number of people who are obese, can mental illness be one of them? Or rather, should obesity be its own mental disorder in the DSM-V?
Obesity Around the Globe
Although obesity in the United States is often discussed, it is important to know that obesity is not only a problem in the United States. It affects the entire world. As Jane Collingwood stated in her article “Obesity and Mental Health,” “Obesity rates have risen at least threefold since 1980 in some areas of North America, the UK, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, Australasia and China.” Earlier in the article she mentions that an organization known as WHO predicts that obesity will be the number one killer in the world by 2020.
DSM-V and Obesity
In “Issues for DSM-V: Should Obesity Be Included as a Brain Disorder?,” obesity is described as the, “compulsive consumption of food and the inability to restrain from eating despite the desire to do so.” Since obesity seems to be a disordered eating habit, why isn’t it currently an eating disorder?
This issue has not gone unnoticed by those in the field of psychiatry. The writers of the DSM-V, which will be the newest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013, played with the idea of adding obesity as an eating disorder, according to Psychology Today writer Paula J. Caplan. However, they were hesitant for a number of reasons as Caplan explained.
First of all, obesity is likely to stem from the need to be beautiful in today’s society and might result from pressure of the outside world, rather than something off kilter in the brain. Secondly, there are many conditions of a physical nature that are not classified as a mental illness. Technically obesity is a physical problem, so no exception should be made. Thirdly, not all obese people should be categorized as having a mental health issue (obesity has genetic and physical components as well). Lastly, there are many disorders that can contribute to obesity rather than obesity being the problem itself.
Obesity and Causes
It seems more prudent to say that obesity is an extension or an outcome of a previous mental health issue rather than a mental illness itself. In the article, “ Should Obesity Be Called a Mental Illness? ” by Kara Massie, Amy Cavanaugh, Julie Davis, and Aleta Storch, obesity can be linked to, “genetics, mobility disorders, negative effects from medications, and other chronic medical conditions.” The authors noted that obesity is not always linked to some sort of psychological stress, so it should not be coined a psychological disorder.
While this is true, the DSM-IV, the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, claims that eating disorders are, “characterized by disturbances in eating behavior. This can mean eating too much, not eating enough, or eating in an extremely unhealthy manner (such as binging or stuffing yourself over and over). “ According to the definition provided earlier, obesity seems like a likely candidate for an eating disorder.
Therefore, it is easy to see why there is such confusion about whether to add obesity to the list of eating disorders. Obesity seems to fit the criteria for an eating disorder, but in the cases of bulimia and anorexia nervosa (the current eating disorders), there is a definite preoccupation with weight and appearance that is usually characterized with anxiety and fear. Although this can be stated for many people who are obese, it cannot be stated for all.
Obesity Today
As it stands, obesity is still a medical condition with many complications. In fact, as Caplan mentioned, the American Psychiatric Association announced that obesity will not be going into the DSM-V (although eating disorder not otherwise specified may be in it which could account for obesity due to psychological stress). For now, we must work to control the problem of obesity, especially in children. The best way to do this is through a healthy diet and exercise. Of course, some people really cannot control their eating. For these cases psychological help may be necessary.
Note: The DSM-V is not finished and is undergoing constant editing.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Should Obesity be Called a Mental Illness?
Issues for DSM-V: Should Obesity Be Included as a Brain Disorder?
Should Obesity Be Called a Mental Illness?-Psychology Today
Amanda Maxwell - Junior Honors student at Malone University majoring in Psychology. Has won awards for speech and debate as well as published poems.
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