Analyzing Weight Hysteria: Cultural Norms vs. Industry Interests

This discussion post delves into the validity of weight hysteria in modern Western culture, questioning whether it stems from genuine health concerns or is driven by special interests, such as the pharmaceutical and diet industries. The author argues that while the initial focus on weight reduction was linked to disease prevention, it has evolved into a social construct tied to fitness, appearance, and socio-economic factors. The author acknowledges the health benefits of weight management through physical activity and diet but raises concerns about the pharmaceutical industry's potential exploitation of this social phenomenon for profit. The post concludes by advocating for prioritizing physical fitness and dietary control over relying on chemical pills for weight management, supported by citations from recent scholarly articles.

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13 Mar 2019
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In my opinion, weight hysteria is a social and cultural aspect which is further supported by
professionals from pharmaceutical and dietary industry professionals. According to Chartres,
Fabbri & Bero (2016), the initial realization about the reduction in body weight was motivated
with disease burdens, especially obesity, blood pressure, and cardiac complications. Later, the
concept was associated with physical fitness and regulatory diets. In modern western culture, the
social concept of fitness, smart-looks, and controlled physique is now associated with weight
hysteria. According to my perspective, the latter fact is then associated with fashion and related
taboo from the socio-economic perspectives. As a result of this, community members are more
inclined with the desire to adopt suitable support that can help them in controlling and
maintaining reduced body weight. The corresponding support in the form of dietary
management, physical fitness support, and administration of suitable medication to control body
weight was provided by adjunct industries.
Apart from physique and fashion point of view, the social adaptation for weight hysteria also has
relevance for community health. I believe that controlling body weight by means of physical
activates and dietary control is worth, for avoiding diseases and complications. Additionally, it
also supports the quality of life among community members of all age-group (Hanson &
Gluckman, 2015). However, an argument can be made for pharmaceutical industry support,
which aims to use this social concept for achieving profit. This suggests that adopting suitable
means of physical fitness and diet is more important, rather than using chemical pills for weight
control.
References:
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Assignment Name Student ID
Chartres, N., Fabbri, A., & Bero, L. A. (2016). Association of industry sponsorship with
outcomes of nutrition studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal
medicine, 176(12), 1769-1777.
Hanson, M. A., & Gluckman, P. D. (2015). Developmental origins of health and disease–global
public health implications. Best practice & research Clinical obstetrics &
gynaecology, 29(1), 24-31.
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