The main cause of emphysema is due to smoking, just like the main cause of HIV/AIDS is due to unprotected sex. Obesity contributes to heart disease as well as several other illnesses. Unprotected sex, smoking and obesity are not diseases; they are the cause of illness. Many public forums such as the media, medical professionals, educational articles, and pharmaceutical companies have labeled obesity as a disease. There is a growing debate in the United States about whether or not obesity is a disease and whether it is appropriate to call it a disease. Obesity is not officially classified as a disease, but many consider it necessary. Obesity should not be classified as a disease – it does not fit the definition. Obesity is caused by unhealthy habits and can be prevented. Classifying obesity as a disease would strain the already bankrupt healthcare system. Obesity has been accepted in American society as a norm. According to the U.S. Surgeon General's Office, in 1999, 6 in 10 American adults were classified as obese or overweight (McMurray, para. 5). For a person to be classified as obese, their body mass index (BMI) must be greater than or equal to 30. The number of obese people in the United States has continued to increase. The World Health Organization estimates that 300 million people will be obese by 2025 (Bailey 3). Since obesity carries many health risks, many believe it should be treated as a disease. Proponents of classifying obesity as a disease claim that it meets the definition of a disease. The American Heritage Dictionary defines disease as “a pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or the environment.” ..... middle of paper..... .unter, William. “Obesity: a growing epidemic.” How genetics and the environment shape us.2005: 8-23. Reference center for viewpoints. EBSCO host. Hanley Lib., Bradford, PA November 22, 2010. Kramer, Otis and Nancy Sprague. “Discrimination against obese people is primarily directed against women.” 2009. Viewpoints Reference Center. EBSCO host. Hanley Lib., Bradford, Pennsylvania. November 21, 2010.McMurray, Coleen. “Lifestyle, not disease, causes obesity.” August 10, 2004 Points of view reference center. EBSCO host. Hanley Lib., Bradford, PA November 21, 2010. Rich, Alex and Rosalyn Carson. “Obesity and health insurance.” 2009. Points of view reference center. EBSCO host. Hanley Lib., Bradford, PA November 21, 2010. Tucker, Mary and Nancy Sprague. “Bottled water is the healthy alternative.” 2009. Points of view reference center. EBSCO host. Hanley Lib., Bradford, PA November 21. 2010