42 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k s e p t e m b e r / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 8
education
PATHOLOGY PERSPECTIVES
Demystifying Obesity
Looking Beyond the Scale, Part 2
By Ruth Werner and Lisa Santoro
In my previous Pathology Perspectives
column (Massage & Bodywork, July/August
2018, page 40), we introduced the condition
of obesity as a freestanding disease. The
American Medical Association, the World Health
Organization, and many others support this view.
The World Obesity Federation describes obesity
as "a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease
process." The American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists suggests changing the name
from obesity to "adiposity-related chronic disease."
This label and description capture an important
aspect of obesity: it is a chronic condition, meaning
it is long-lasting, progressive, and difficult—if not
impossible, for some people—to permanently
correct through diet and exercise alone.
In this column, we will look at common treatment
options for obesity, with a focus on bariatric surgery. Much
of this column will be carried by my friend, colleague,
and veteran of bariatric surgery Lisa Santoro, a certified
massage therapist and lymphatic specialist. Santoro is
currently getting her psychology degree with a minor in
nutrition. She will be working in the postbariatric surgery
