Obesity is recognized as a major medical problem. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows a weight-loss tax deduction to help taxpayers cover expenses for stomach stapling, nutritional counseling, and approved weight-loss drugs.

The Internal Revenue Service does not give a definition of obesity. Before the weight loss cost can be deducted, a doctor's diagnosis is needed.

The weight-loss tax deduction is allowed if the cost is more than 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.

Note: Obesity is usually defined as body mass index of 30 or more.