① With obesity now affecting 29% of the population in England, and expected to rise to 35% by 2030, should we now recognise it as a disease? Obesity, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected, meets the dictionary definition of disease, argues Professor John Wilding. He points out that more than 200 genes influence weight. “Thus body weight is strongly influenced by biology — it is not an individual’s fault if they develop obesity.” Yet the widespread view is that obesity is self-induced and that it is entirely the individual’s responsibility to do something about it. Recognising obesity as a chronic disease with severe complications rather than a lifestyle choice “should help reduce the stigma (耻辱) and discrimination experienced by many people with obesity,” he adds.

② Professor Wilding disagrees that labelling a high proportion of the population as having a disease removes personal responsibility or may overwhelm health services, pointing out that other common diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, require people to take action to manage their condition. He suggests that most people with obesity will eventually develop complications. “But unless we accept that obesity is a disease, we are not going to be able to tackle it,” he concludes.

③ But Dr. Richard Pile, a physician with a special interest in diabetes, argues that adopting this approach “could actually result in worse outcomes for individuals and society.” He believes that the dictionary definition of disease “is so vague that we can classify almost anything as a disease” and says the question is not whether we can, but whether we should, and to what end.

1.1. What does Professor John Wilding argue about obesity?

A Its impact on society is expected to rise.

B It is now too widespread to be neglected.

C It should be regarded as a genetic disease.

D Its dictionary definition should be updated.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第①段中Professor John Wilding的观点，他指出“more than 200 genes influence weight”，并强调“body weight is strongly influenced by biology”，说明肥胖与基因密切相关，因此他认为肥胖应被视为一种疾病，尤其是与遗传因素相关的疾病。选项C准确地概括了这一观点。故选C。

2.2. What is the popular view of obesity?

A It is difficult to define.

B It is a modern disease.

C It has much to do with one’s genes.

D It results from a lack of self-control.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。第①段提到“the widespread view is that obesity is self-induced and that it is entirely the individual’s responsibility to do something about it”，说明普遍观点认为肥胖是自我诱导的，即缺乏自控导致的。选项D“It results from a lack of self-control”与此相符。故选D。

3.3. Why are some people opposed to labelling obesity as a disease?

A Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action.

B Obese people would not be able to afford the medical costs.

C Obese people would be overwhelmed with anxiety.

D Obese people would be discriminated against.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。第②段中，Professor Wilding提到一些人反对将肥胖视为疾病，认为这会“remove personal responsibility”，即肥胖者可能不再主动采取行动管理自己的健康。选项A“Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action”正是对这一担忧的合理推断。故选A。

4.4. What does Dr. Richard Pile think of the dictionary definition of disease?

A It is of no use in understanding obesity.

B It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity.

C It helps little to solve patients’ problems.

D It matters little to the debate over obesity.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。第③段中，Dr. Richard Pile认为字典对疾病的定义“is so vague that we can classify almost anything as a disease”，说明该定义过于宽泛，缺乏明确性。选项B“It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity”准确反映了他的观点。故选B。

5.5. What is Dr. Richard Pile’s concern about classifying obesity as a disease?

A It may affect obese people’s quality of life.

B It may accelerate the spread of obesity.

C It may cause a shortage of doctors.

D It may do little good to patients.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。第④段中，Dr. Richard Pile警告说，将肥胖视为疾病“may not benefit patients, but it will benefit healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry”，即患者可能无法从中受益，反而让医疗机构和制药行业获利。选项D“It may do little good to patients”直接对应了这一担忧。故选D。