Essay on The Globalisation of Obesity

Obesity is a medical condition, in which a person’s excessive body fat accumulates to a point where it may have a negative impact on their health causing serious illness, disability and premature death. In Australia the rate of obesity has gradually increased over time, where in 2011-2012 it was found that 35.3% Australians aged 18 and over were overweight and 27.5% obese. (WHO reference)This health condition is the outcome of a range of social determinants that warrant attention. However this report will focus on and discuss two social determinants that could conceivably lead to obesity or being overweight.

It is said that obesity can be caused by not knowing how to combat and prevent this common disease before it begins in poverty stricken areas. Additionally the availability of nutritious food choices and the means to have safe active life style are not available to those who suffer from poverty due to financial and educational disadvantages. Obesity is not just a class problem, but financially disadvantaged people that lack access to quality food will inevitably turn to high calorie processed foods that will stretch their food dollar.

There is also repeated evidence of social disparities in the prevalence of obesity and overweight. Links have been made why disparities exist in the prevalence of obesity especially among disadvantaged ethnic minority groups. Henderson and Kelly (2005), suggest that these disparities exist because of inequalities in the society they argue that people with more knowledge, money, power, prestige and beneficial social connections are better able to control weight gain, either through the ability to make food choices or through greater opportunities for exercise and safe play. This view is supported by Sniderman et al., (2007), who found no disparities in prevalence of obesity among ethnic groups when he factored in adjustments of socio economic

Much has been written to explain the medical aspect of obesity but little attention has been paid to understanding the sociological aspect of the epidemic. This research attempts to understand the sociological aspect of obesity by examining the socio-cultural, gender, and psycho-social effects and includes the different perceptions of the epidemic as well as what is deemed acceptable in the society we live in.

This article takes an in-depth look at a specific group of the obese population. Women, more precisely, poor women. It poses an interesting stance on how gender and poverty can be the biggest risk factors in the obesity epidemic. This source was published within the last decade and is evidence-based material.

Rituals of fattening in cultures and their belief that fatness leads to beauty (Brink 1989b).

There is likewise rehashed confirmation of social disparities in the pervasiveness of obesity and overweight. Links have been made why inconsistencies exist in the commonness of weight particularly among impeded ethnic minority gatherings. Henderson and Kelly (2005), recommend that these disparities exist in view of inequality in the general public they contend that individuals with more information, cash, power, notoriety and useful social associations are better ready to control weight pick up, either through the capacity to settle on sustenance decisions or through more prominent open doors for exercise and safe play. This view is supported by Sniderman et al., (2007), who found no inconsistencies in commonness of stoutness among ethnic

This essay discusses how social constructions have an effect on obesity and what combination of causes and contributing factors it includes can lead to obesity. `Obesity is the term used to describe someone who is overweight and unhealthy. Obesity shortens life by an average of 10 years. It is very common in the UK and results from a study back in 2014 showed that a whopping 65.3% of men and 58.1% of women are obese here. (UniversityOfBirmingham,2016) Being over weight is generally associated with being lazy and unpleasant. There are a lot of media groups that have influenced our society’s perception on obesity and many factors that lead to the disease. Obesity can be life threatening and can be the start of lethal conditions such as diabetes,

A county’s socioeconomic status has also proven to be a significant factor. Many traditional cultures throughout the world have an extensive history of men who were praised with large bodies. Reasons for this included locations experiencing a lack of food, an issue that continues to plague many underdeveloped countries today. “In places where the food supply is often or cyclically inadequate, fat is a status symbol,” states psychotherapist Carolynn Hillman in her book, Love Your Looks: How to Stop Criticizing and Start Appreciating Your Appearance.10 With neither enough food nor the money to afford it available, seeing a man with a plump figure was a strong communicator that he was both wealthy and well fed. Although this idea has diminished

196-197). When the rates of excess weight in 2012 and 2013 are compared to the ones now, it is clear that age matters (Rao et al., 2016, pp. 196-197). In addition, turns out that in households with low income usually have a higher risk to become obese (Rao et al., 2016, pp. 196-197). This proves that people with a higher income have more access to healthier foods (Rao et al., 2016, pp. 196-197). The average of obesity is based on income and gender and it is known to be a 28.9% (Rao et al., 2016, pp. 196-197). Similarly, the same data resulted from international comparisons (Rao et al., 2016, pp.

Obesity is a problem that affects virtually every person on the planet. Everyone knows someone who is overweight or they themselves are overweight. In this research paper we will be looking at the topic of obesity and the social ramifications that it holds. We will first look at obesity in a broad way. Then we will focus on obesity and its effects on children. And finally, obesity and adulthood will be covered. The topic of obesity is important to the field of sociology because obese people make up a significant portion of the world's population. In addition, the manner in which obese people are treated has a significant effect on society as a whole.

It is not what one does or how one looks, but it is the reaction of society or how society reacts that determines if an act is deviant or not (Goode, 2011). Obesity adheres to Goffman’s typology of stigma and deviance; abomination of the body and blemish of individual character (Goode, 2011). Terms such “Hog Bodies” or “Pigs in Human suits” are frequently used because the majority considers obesity as a product of immoral or deviant behavior. Furthermore, individuals that are not fat believe those that are obese became fat because they eat too much and lack self-discipline. One must understand that these views individuals hold on personal appearances vary with different standards that society creates with each generation (Goode, 2011). For example, a plump female in the Victorian period was believed to fertile, wealthy, and sexy. Her plumpness related to having enough food as a result of being wealthy. On the other hand, the supermodel Twiggy became famous and the current trend was to be skinny. Over time, plumpness or curvy acceptance has gone back and forth. However, today’s society is so concern with being healthy that any sign of obesity results in whispers, glares, and the usage of the terms mentioned above to describe a fat individual. An obese person now holds a stigma and is viewed as deviant behavior.

As demonstrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) overweight is among this present century 's huge wellbeing risks. The pervasiveness of overweight and weight among children and young people have extended in parallel. US adolescents and young people were expansive (Wisconsin, 2015). The power of overweight for the most part changes in differing subgroups of the people: in made countries, it is broadly high among persons with a low enlightening level and a low pay (Berge & Everts, 2011).

Obesity has become a major issue worldwide. It has not been that long, since American Medical Association recognized obesity as a disease. People should change their lifestyles and eat healthy to be fit. However, whenever the topic of weight comes up, the issue of dieting presents itself. People believe dieting is the answer to be fit or to be in shape. In this sophisticated world, priority is often placed on the physical beauty. For this reason, concern of weight and shape has become the pioneer. If we ask a random sample of population about the solution for losing weight, I bet everybody will say “go on a diet” first. This is the

The prevailing conception of obesity is one that holds the individual, and by extent their personal experiences and actions, accountable for their current state. However, this perspective is full of ideology and cultural beliefs, thus, we fail to recognise obesity as a social construct. Alterations in personal milieu can be said to be a product of cultural transformation and the entwinement of institutions. Therefore, to distinguish obesity as a social issue rather than a personal trouble, it is important to identify cultural trends, and the political and economic institutions that transcend the individual.