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Follow on Google News | AMA Rules Against Advisors: Fat Now a Disease!Against the recommendation of their scientific advisors, the AMA declares obesity a disease. Many believe this will further damage the already fragile relationship between physician and fat patient.
By: NAAFA Physician’s weight bias, already a major problem, is now moving beyond just stigmatization to clear dislike and negativity toward the overweight, (Brochu P., Esses V., [2009]). Couple this with the fact that physicians have received insufficient or no training to address or examine fat patients and are frustrated with the lack of resources available to them (Amy NK, et al [2006]), setting the stage for a powder keg of discrimination, the likes of which we have never seen before. Into this environment of bias and discrimination, the American Medical Association (AMA) declares that obesity is a disease. "The AMA just put its official stamp of approval on the widespread weight bias of physicians.” Key points against AMA Ruling: AMA turned away from science and the recommendations of its own scientific advisors AMA cited economic motives in colluding with corporate interests AMA failed to reach this decision with input of the relevant community of higher-weight people NAAFA votes: NO CONFIDENCE in the AMA NAAFA demands: A reversal of this designation and an immediate roundtable discussion that includes higher-weight people from every community. In response to the AMA decision, fat activists have started the #IAmNotADisease hashtag on Twitter. Author and fat activist Marilyn Wann started a Change.org petition, which is already getting strong support. NAAFA encourages everyone who supports Equality At Every Size to sign and share the petition with others: https://www.change.org/ Founded in 1969, NAAFA is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and member support. On the web: http://www.naafa.org For more information contact: Peggy Howell, Public Relations Director, NAAFA e-mail: pr@naafa.org phone: End
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