[The complexity of obesity--some ethical perspectives]

The clinically oriented debate in the context of obesity is often blurred when in comes to morality, professional ethos and societal values. Surgeons, for example, might bring different normative approaches to the operation rooms than psychiatrists to their therapeutic sessions. These values often remain unspoken, but might change the medical conveyor belt of the patients affected. In this text, we want to focus on this so called "implicit normativity" of different stake holders. In addition, we question the concept of "illness" as obesity can be labelled as an illness and/or symptom - depending on the eyes of the observer. From a more societal perspective, any effort of prevention also comes with normative strings attached. Thus we plea for a stronger awareness of one's own values related to obesity, either in a clinical, personal or societal setting.