| Weight loss surgery patients subject to IQ test |
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| Thursday, 25 January 2007 | |
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According to a 2006 report by Trust for America's Health, Tennessee was ranked the nation's sixth heaviest state, with adult obesity rates of 26.6 percent. The move comes as French scientists report a link between obesity and intelligence, saying that people with a higher BMI have a lower level of intelligence. The French study examined 2,200 patients and found that people with a BMI of 20 or less could recall 56% of the words in a vocabulary test, while those who were obese (BMI of 30 or greater) could recall only 44% of the words. However, a spokeswoman for the insurance company rejected criticism that the policy was unfair: "The term IQ test is misleading," said Mary Thompson, of BlueCross Blue Shield. "It really measures the patient's knowledge of the surgery itself and the eating and lifestyle changes necessary afterward." "To say that this policy is discriminatory is absolutely false," Thompson said. "Nothing in the policy indicates that if a patient's score is below a certain level they cannot have the procedure." This seems to be a simplification of the insurance company's guidelines for patients seeking to have the gastric bypass procedure. The company's internal documents states that applicants need to have an IQ test, as well as other tests to evaluate their eating behavior and attitude to food and diet, along with other evaluations from a psychiatrist or psychologist. Obesity Action Coalition, a pressure group representing obese people and seeking to educate the public about obesity criticised the policy. "This is blatant discrimination against those affected by obesity who are trying to access care," said James Zervios, Director of Communications for the group. "For people going through the process now it's yet another hurdle to jump to access treatment." |
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