Argentine senate declares obesity a disease


BUENOS AIRES, 15 aug 2008 – Argentine senators have approved a bill declaring obesity and other eating disorders diseases covered by the nation's public and private health care programs.
The lawmakers unanimously backed the "Obesity Law" Wednesday, saying that fighting obesity, anorexia and bulimia is in the national interest.
Patients can now seek treatment under Argentine health programs. The law also prohibits the media from releasing diets that aren't backed by a health professional and requires that high-calorie foods carry a warning label.
The bill already had been approved by the lower house.
The obesity bill was boosted by a popular Argentine reality TV show — "A Question of Weight" — that helped obese contestants slim down.