The Theory Of The Social Work Profession

Researcher James Levin’s “Poverty and Obesity in the U.S” from American Diabetes Association, research about the Obesity and Diabetes in Poverty counties/reigns of the United States. Levin believes poverty and obesity are linked to each other. According to Levin’s research “ People in America who live in the most poverty-dense counties are those most prone to obesity. ” . There are many reason that link poverty to obesity, but Levin believes lack of fresh food and inactivity has a huge role in chronic metabolic disease (obesity and diabetes), and cardiovascular death. People who

As thinness is frequently celebrated by the media and society, the rich and privileged prefer healthier food choices to maintain wellness and their body figures, thus making healthier foodstuff more expensive and less available to poorer communities. At the same time, they make unhealthy food more readily available, cheaper and use advertising to cultivate demand for unhealthy food by the masses. These measures help to keep healthy food options out of reach for poorer communities and maintain inequality in health food distribution in society. As obese individuals are often stigmatized in society, experience discrimination at work and many health complications, keeping healthy food inaccessible for poorer communities (which increases likelihood of obesity for the poor) can limit social mobility and in turn help to cement the status of the powerful few at the top of the food

According to Sam Dolnick in his article “The Obesity-Hunger Paradox,” majority of Americans have an incorrect view on what hunger and obesity actually look like in our country. Hunger, he describes, is seen in “ragged toddlers” and “rail-thin children” living in the dirty dark conditions caused by poverty (219). Obesity, on the other hand, gives a completely different picture filled with it’s own slew of negative stigma.

Obesity is a problem in different areas throughout the world; obesity is a major problem in the United States of America. The food industry in the U.S. has changed. Food is cheaper and easier to access, but food is lower in quality and is massively produced (Kenner, 2008). Food is no longer as hard to come by as it once was and is not as expensive, but healthy food is more expensive and, most of the time, requires trips to the grocery store. In American society today, American are busy and have minimal time to exercise, cooking, or even go to the grocery store. The lower socioeconomic classes are notably affected as a result of individuals and families of lower socioeconomic classes often can’t afford healthy food from local grocery stores

This section of the paper will discuss the definition of social work, values associated with social work and arguments for and against the use of systems theory in social work practice. Social work can be described as a field of study that encompasses individuals and their environment. Social work can be defined as work trained professionals do to elevate stressors of individuals so they may become more self-sufficient and empowered to live to their fullest potential.

Poverty has a direct influence on the type of food that is consumed due to the rising cost of healthier foods, as well as the fact that less healthy, higher calorie foods are typically more affordable (The State of Obesity, 2014). To get a clearer look at the income level of African American families, statistics show that nearly 40% of African American children under 18 live under the poverty line, as well as more than 12% of African American families living with an income that is less than 50% of the federal poverty line (The State of Obesity, 2014). The other predominant issue that aids in obesity in the African American population is the lack of available resources in the form of food options and education. Even with their income status excluded from the equation, African American neighborhoods contain the least amount of supermarkets compared to other neighborhoods (The State of Obesity, 2014). The lack of supermarkets near them makes it difficult to find access to fresher, healthier foods to eat in order to foster a healthier

Various reports and research have attested to this phenomena (Food Research Action Center, 2015). Both hunger and obesity were defined using USDA terminology: Low food insecurity- Households reduced the quality, variety, and desirability of their diets, but the quantity of food intake and normal eating patterns were not substantially disrupted. High food insecurity- At times during the year, eating patterns of one or more household members were disrupted and food intake reduced because the household lacked money and other resources for food (USDA, 2006). Obesity, as having a body mass index over 30, results from factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and access to food (USDA, National Institute of Food and Nutrition, 2015). The target group was identified as school aged

It is no secret that obesity is huge problem in the United States. About 40% of the United States’ population is obese (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2015). According to CDC, obesity causes: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and is the second most preventable disease in the United States (2014). If that’s not enough of a public health problem, than add the 147 billion dollars spent in healthcare expenses just in the U.S. alone (CDC, 2014). According to the text, Public Health 101, “the prevalence of obesity has been steadily rising in the U.S. over the last 50 years; increasing over 250%” (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114). The obesity percentages increase when a family is in poverty. The facts are that if you make about $30,000 a year; the children of that family is almost twice as likely to be obese than a family that is making 350% above the poverty level, which is about $136,000 a year (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114). But, to make it even worse, the Mexican Americans and non-Hispanics black populations don’t even follow those statistics; they have a high obesity level in all socioeconomic levels (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015, p. 114).

Part of this obesity issue is connected to the percent of people living under relative poverty line in the US is larger compared to other countries. This results in more lower income people

Obesity among the poor is already a major concern. According to health and medicine website WebMD.com, health risks linked to obesity include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, gout, sleep apnea, breathing problems, and many other disorders. (Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD, "Obesity and Diseases: Weighing Your Risks", 2014) As individuals suffer from more and more health disorders related to obesity, the propensity for long-term disorder increases. Significant health problems can, in-turn, lead to absenteeism, and in extreme cases, disability, further hindering earning ability. This cycle of poverty, poor food choices, and health repercussions is

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

Low socioeconomic status individuals have limited access to healthy and affordable foods which sequentially contributes to obesity. One might contend that the government provides assistance (WIC and Food Stamps) to

The sociological aspect of obesity shown through the impact of families, the government and the economy. The rapidly growing, fast-paced, technological society creates an epidemic of sorts. Families pursue the use of technology, restaurants and fast-paced eating as well as single parenting and parental denial. The government sets a significant health care cost to obesity, which prevents a solution and increases risks. A non-stable economy brings about a society filled with unemployment or multiple jobs as well as both parents working to stay above absolute or relative poverty leading to distractions from a healthy lifestyle. Obesity is a concern, not just for an individual but also for

Research suggests that beliefs about the causality and stability of obesity are also important factors contributing to negative attitudes. For example, studies show that individuals affected by obesity are more likely to be stigmatized if their overweight condition is perceived to be caused by controllable factors compared to uncontrollable factors (e.g., overeating versus a thyroid condition), and if obesity is perceived to be a condition of personal choice, versus a serious health condition.