Analyzing Obesity as a Social Issue: Perspectives and Solutions

This essay addresses obesity as a significant social problem, focusing on the stigma faced by obese individuals and its impact on their physical and psychological well-being. It highlights the negative attitudes and stereotypes prevalent in society, leading to discrimination in various settings, including workplaces and educational institutions. The essay discusses how society often blames individuals for their weight, viewing obesity as a personal failing rather than a health issue. It also explores the misconceptions surrounding obesity, such as the belief that it is solely caused by overeating and lack of exercise. Furthermore, the essay suggests ways to address the social stigma associated with obesity, emphasizing the need for greater acceptance and understanding. It advocates for scientific research into the underlying causes of obesity and the provision of comprehensive medical assistance, including psychological and genetic studies. This essay, contributed by a student and available on Desklib, provides valuable insights into the social dimensions of obesity and potential strategies for creating a more inclusive and supportive society.

RUNNING HEAD- OBESITY IN A SOCIETY 1
NAME OF THE STUDENT
NAME OF THE COLLEGE
TOPIC-
“OBESITY IS KNOWN TO BE AS #1 SOCIAL PROBLEM IN OUR SOCIETY.
WHAT STEPS DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE ISSUE?”

OBESITY IN A SOCIETY 2
ABSTRACT
This paper deals with a common social problem that we come across in our daily
lives. Obesity is mostly taken as a health issue in our society but it also plays a very major
role in shaping a common social problem amongst all. Obese people have to some where fit
themselves in their surroundings which might not be a very easy task. Hence, the paper talks
about the issues faced by obese population and ways of dealing with the same.
INTRODUCTION
Stigma of obesity and the people facing it has been a pervasive issue which poses a
number of consequences for their physical and the psychological health. The following report
talks of weight stigma, not just as a priority for health but also the social side of it (Barbour,
2011).
General study shows that there has been always a negative attitude for obese people in
the society. There have been stereotypes that the people facing obesity are weak willed, lack
discpliine, lazy and unintelligent. The same stereotypes create a stigma, discrimination and
prejudice against the obese population, are it in a workplace, educational institutions, and
mass media and also close relationships.
OBESITY AS A SOCIAL STIGMA
Estimates show in their studies that the prevalence of the discrimination paced by
society on the obesity struck people has been increased by 66% since the last decade. This
has taken a face of racial discrimination (Barbour, 2011). Especially in America, it’s a taboo
and a shame to be an obese as you lack acceptance of normal society. People usually forget
about the health implications and make this health problem as a social shame.
Society blames the individuals for their weight with a perception that it’s justifiable to
make excess weight as a stigma taking into account that people are personally responsible for
their health issue. The sufferers are put to be vulnerability to diereses and kept away from
progressive behaviours (Wilson, 2008).

OBESITY IN A SOCIETY 3
Society does not regard the health victims as innocent victims but as architects of their
body shape. This prejudice is seen as a very acceptable part of the society. This stigma is
assumed to bring the condition under control and as an incentive to weight loss.
There have been misconceptions about obesity in the society that obese people have
habit to eat too much and overeating has lead to their condition. Another thing often taken as
a misperception is lack of exercising in their regime has lead to obesity (Metcalf & Metcalf,
2008). These perceptions have long stayed in our minds and society leading to a very major
social cause of social stigma to obese people.
People suffering from such issue are usually not accepted as a part of normal human
beings, be it educational institutions, eating joints or bare roads. Society has created a world
which is not just shows non acceptance but also pulls their moral down. They are prone to
elicited pity and help. Social distance and participatory rejection are few implications that
have been found while studying obesity as a social problem and not a health problem (Orehek
& Vazeou-Nieuwenhuis, 2016).
Studies have shown that proving obesity with information such as genetic and
biological contributors can help in reducing stereotypes.
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT?
Weight stigma is not just a social factor but it also creates negative impact on the
public health. It impedes the execution of effective efforts to cure obesity and extends the gap
between obese and non obese people. Life outcomes of such people are affected by the
societal pressure.
Although, the condition of obesity is a serious health issue and it has been increasing
amongst Americans. With obesity, come various other health issues that can be hazardous to
the lives of people.
Obesity must be taken more an s a health condition that a social problem. Obese
people need not try their mind out to fit in the society but, they should try for a better living
with turning their eating habits to healthy ones and going for the good ways to improve their
condition (Orehek & Vazeou-Nieuwenhuis, 2016).
A social stigma must not be created by people who aren’t even in the league of being
obese as it just de-motivates the group, stopping them from growing towards a healthier life.

OBESITY IN A SOCIETY 4
And it is the duty of society as a whole to be more accepting towards people facing obesity
problems and not personally harass anybody of their health condition.
There should be a scientific research for the reasons behind increasing obesity issues
and medical assistance must widen its area to psychological and genetic studies of the
obesity.

OBESITY IN A SOCIETY 5
REFERENCES
Barbour, S. (2011). Obesity. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press.
Metcalf, T., & Metcalf, G. (2008). Obesity. Detroit: Thomson / Gale.
Orehek, E., & Vazeou-Nieuwenhuis, A. (2016). Understanding the Obesity Problem: Policy
Implications of a Motivational Account of (Un)Healthy Eating. Social Issues And Policy
Review, 10(1), 151-180. doi: 10.1111/sipr.12021
Puhl, R., & Latner, J. (2008). Weight Bias: New Science on an Significant Social
Problem. Obesity, 16, S1-S2. doi: 10.1038/oby.2008.460
Wilson, D. (2008). Tipping the obesity problem: Silliness, silos, and sense. Obesity Research
& Clinical Practice, 2(2), 71-72. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2008.04.001