...found. However, there is another side of life that combats these positive stories with that of prejudice, stereotypes, discrimination, stigmas, and hate towards those who stand out or have unique attributes. Especially when compared to our culture of power that is often white, healthy, and traditional. The following will define, describe the treatment of, and perceive the lives of two of these stigmatized groups, those with obesity and those who are LGBT, to further detail the similarities and differences of their daily struggles. One clear, thematic, distinction is the blatant external identification of obese individuals against the hidden sexual stigma of those who are LGBT. Group Definition Weight stigma is a social stigma in which those who are overweight or obese are targets of prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behaviors. This stigma is present across many dimensions in our society and can be seen in interpersonal, institutional, organizational, and cultural discrimination. Alarmingly, research has discerned the weight stigma has become more prevalent in our society, as weight based discrimination has increased 66% from the 1990’s into the 2000’s (Andreyeva, T., Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D., 2008). Despite this group actually being a majority across the world, they are still stigmatized and thought to be the blame for their obesity. The stereotypes these people face are exclusively negative, as additional research has showed that overweight people are accredited...
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...necessity and end up being overweight or obese. Society should be more aware of the status of an individual instead of trying to put everyone into one cookie cutter mold. There are those in society that can be cruel because of the things that they say and do to those who are overweight and obese. Hurtful things are said and done to those persons who are overweight and obese. In researching this topic, Sutin & Terracciano stated, “People who are obese are often perceived as lazy, unsuccessful, and weak-willed. These beliefs about individuals with obesity are often translated into negative attitudes, discrimination, and verbal and physical assaults. Such bias can have severe psychological consequences, including increased vulnerability to depression and lower self-esteem, self-acceptance, and life satisfaction.” (2013). As a society, it is understandable to want someone to be healthy. However, it is not good to place a stigma on anyone that society, as a whole, looks down upon because they do not look the way that society says that they should. Being overweight does not mean that someone is lazy or weak-willed. There is no excuse for being...
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...Is Obesity a Disease? Jacqueline Valencia Network Systems Administration ITT Technical Institute, Orange Campus May 26, 2014 Is Obesity a Disease? What is the definition of disease? According to Dictionary.com the definition of disease is: a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment. The United States is the second most obese industrialized country in the world. A 2013 report stated that 31.8% of Americans were obese, compared to 14% in the mid-1970’s. Obesity accounts for 10% of deaths and healthcare spending in the United States. Supporters contend that obesity is a disease because it meets the definition of disease. It decreases life expectancy and impairs the normal functioning of the body and it can be caused by genetic factors. I find myself on the opponents’ side who contend that obesity is not a disease because it is a preventable risk factor for other diseases. It is the result of eating too much and is caused by the lack of physical activity. In the health care bill H.R. 3962 approved by the House of Representatives on October 29, 2009, “being overweight or obese” is not classified as a disease but as a “behavioral risk factor” along with alcohol and drug use, tobacco, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and risky sex...
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...Teenager Obesity and Societal Bias NUR/440Health Assessment and Promotion of Vulnerable Population September 19, 2011 Teenager Obesity and Societal Bias Obesity is a well-recognized disease, and childhood obesity is a long-term risk factor for adult morbidity and social disabilities (Flodmark, Lissau, & Pietrobelli, 2005) Weight prejudice is rampant in the health care, according to Puhl 2009, there is no antidiscrimination laws against weight discrimination. The common thought that obese patients did that to themselves triggers negative attitudes, societal stigma and/or unfair treatment of the overweight or obese patient. Obesity is prevalent in our society with 30% of the adult population considered obese. Within that population, teenagers are even more vulnerable than adults and can be more deeply affected by compromised preventative care, whether because of themselves or society (Puhl, 2009). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011), among U.S. high school students * 12% are obese. * 29% drink at least one soda a day. * 23% do not have 60 minutes of physical activity on any day during the survey. * 67% did not attend PE classes daily when they were in school. * 33% watched television three or more hours per day on an average school day. * 25% used computers three or more hours per day on an average school day. Because body fat levels change as children grow and mature, doctors use gender-specific BMI-for-age charts...
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...Women and children are not only the highest in number living in poverty, but also the highest to report living in food insecure homes and at risk to becoming obese. Obesity is another major problem in the United States. It is estimated that an average of $223 billion dollars is spent on medical, weight loss products and services related to obesity in the U.S every year (Cawley & Meyerhoefer, 2012; Kruger, Galuska, Serdula, & A, 2004). In fact in 2005, 21% of all medical spending was spent on medical costs related to obesity alone (Cawley & Meyerhoefer, 2012). Programs and policies such as the affordable care act, SNAP, Wic and the National School Lunch Program aim to solve the issue of poverty and obesity by providing healthy food options and healthcare to those living under the poverty line. Despite the rise in companies advertising for healthier food options and the amount of obesity plateauing, the U.S is still ranked as the 27th most obese country in the world (Swanson,...
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...Obesity is a Growing Problem in America MARY ANN JONES GCU Introduction to Nursing Research NRS-433V Dodie Serafini September 08, 2012 Obesity is a Growing Problem in America Obesity has become a major growing problem in healthcare due to fact that the percentage of obese adults has increased to an alarming 35.7. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.) The medical cost of obese patients in 2008 was estimated at $147 billion which is much higher than people of normal weight. The qualitative study researched for this paper explores obese patient’s experiences, and perceptions of support in primary care. Nurses need to have an understanding of patient’s perceptions and thoughts in order to provide optimal care. The study researched is called Primary care support for tackling obesity: a qualitative study of the perceptions of obese patients. In nursing it is important to understand the way patients perceive the care or treatment they receive in order for us to maybe make changes in the way we do things. The way patients perceive their primary care will play a role in what they learn and what they will do. It can also make a difference in them obtaining treatment or care. In nursing we need to make sure are meeting the needs of our patients and their perceptions of their care or treatment help us evaluate our effectiveness. The range of the experiences varied, but all participants had experienced some type of intervention or treatment to address their weight issues...
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...sUnderstanding Obesity An educational resource provided by the Obesity Action Coalition What is obesity? Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive body fat. People who are affected by obesity usually are affected by behavioral, genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control with dieting. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and other related health problems that can affect your quality of life and reduce your lifespan. Who is affected? Obesity is a serious health epidemic that affects one in three Americans. It is estimated that more than 93 million Americans are affected by obesity, with that number predicted to climb to 120 million in the next five years. “Overweight” and “Obesity” What is the difference? Stages of weight are medically defined by body mass index (BMI). An individual with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is clinically classified as “overweight.” A BMI of 30 or more is classified as “obesity.” To determine your BMI, please view the BMI chart in the back of this brochure or visit www.ObesityAction.org Individuals affected by excess weight are also at risk for developing health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout (joint pain caused by excess uric acid) and gallbladder disease. Excess weight can also cause problems such as sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep) and osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints). Weight-loss can help...
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...Fast Food Workers’ Rights At a glance it is easy to see that the winning formula for the high economic success in the fast food industry is comprised of cheap food and cheap labor. Their ability to sell food at a low price in a matter of minutes caters to families or individuals limited on time or money, and in many cases both of these factors are of equal importance. Inordinately the consumption of low cost labor in the fast food industry has resulted in an underpaid and under protected workforce. In many ways limitations on workers’ rights in the fast food industry have been instrumental in the high profitability of the corporations that dominate it; however, the formation of unions or other sources of support for fast food workers would have implications on the price and/or quality of the final products sold. These implications, in particularly the price of the food, would force a complete restructure of the expectations and needs of customers who currently frequent the restaurants. A key element in sourcing low cost labor has been the excessive employment of teenagers. The fast food industry has exploited the needs and vulnerability of teenagers in order to create a high turnover workforce that is willing to accept low wages and easily taught. The industry has capitalized on assembly line production models, which require little skills from the workers; however, the machinery necessary for these conditions is often times dangerous and violates OSHA guidelines for...
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...Obesity is a public health challenge throughout the world (1). Ongoing monitoring of trends in obesity is important to assess interventions aimed at preventing or reducing the burden of obesity. Since the 1960s, measured height and weight have been collected in the United States as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In 2007–2008 more than one-third of United States adults were obese (2). Obese individuals are at increased risk of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers, among other conditions (3). Some studies have shown a relationship between obesity prevalence and socioeconomic status measured as educational level or income (4). Results from the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 34.2% of U.S. adults aged 20 years and over are overweight, 33.8% are obese, and 5.7% are extremely obese. Body mass index (BMI), expressed as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2), is commonly used to classify overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9), obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30.0), and extreme obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 40.0). One of the USA national health objectives is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%. The NHANES 2007–2008 data for adults aged 20 and over suggest an increase in obesity between the late 1980s and today in the United States, with the estimated...
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...Healthy People 2020 objectives. The February 2011 edition of Preventive Medicine comprises a series of articles examining the needs and goals of public health issues like obesity in the United States (Healthy People 2020). This paper discusses how Healthy People 2020 is dealing with obesity in United States, what the current epidemic situation of the disease is and how Health People 2020's initiatives could help in controlling this public health problem. Healthy people 2020 is a broad set of objectives for improving health care in the community over the next decade. While it is not a specific program, which will immediately respond to the challenges and unexpected increase in the number of people who are disabled, this is something that should be considered by anyone conscious of the health care system. Obesity as Risk Factor Not all obese people fall under at-risk groups for obesity. Obesity is generally risky if our weight is beyond a generally healthy limit. The WHO (World Health Organization) obesity defined as a BMI or body mass index (calculated by height and weight of the individual) is less than 30 kg / m² also considered a sign of obesity an increased waist circumference in men greater than or equal to 102 cm and in women greater than or equal to 88 cm (Health and Human Services 2008). Obesity is part of the metabolic syndrome different diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, different forms of cancer, dermatological and gastrointestinal disorders. Many...
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...Childhood obesity is common in all parts of the world. One of the reasons obesity is at an all-time high is, because familiars are no longer eating healthier, because of poverty. Eating out at fast food restaurants, and buying the lower cost foods in the grocery stores is all most families can afford, because of their income. When this happens, most families only buy what they can afford to keep their families from going hungry. Another reason is because of the lack of health conscience. Most parents are unaware of the effects of eating unhealthy foods. When parents are not told about all the chronic illness, long term health problems, and stigma attached to childhood obesity, then they are most likely not concern with eating healthy for themselves,...
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... Current Psychological Well-being. BY: Gloria Hanna Abstract Previous studies have shown that weight stigma and bullying can have detrimental effects on a person’s psychological well-being. Depression, self-esteem, loneliness, and perceived stress were measured as a result of personal experiences with bullying, specifically concerning weight stigma and weight based bullying, in comparison to other forms of bullying (e.g., being shy, having freckles). University students self-reported about times when they experienced bullying using an online survey and also completed measures of current depression, self-esteem, loneliness, and perceived stress. Consistent differences in current psychological well-being were observed when comparing responses from students who had been bullied to those from students who had never been bullied. However, no significant differences were found when comparing students who reported being bullied for different reasons. These findings suggest that bullying for any reason can be detrimental to several aspects of young adults’ mental health, including depression, self-esteem, loneliness, and perceived stress. Keywords: body weight, bullying, depression, self-esteem, loneliness, perceived stress Levels of obesity have been on the rise in adults, adolescents, and in young children, tripling over the past 30 years (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health ...
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...Obesity is so prevalent in populations throughout the world that it has now surpassed under nutrition and transferable diseases as the highest contributor to poor health. Many beliefs and misconceptions of obesity exist. Obesity occurs when excess body fat has been stored to a point at which the effects on the human body are harmful. Most, when asked believe obesity occurs because of an over consumption of calories, also known as overeating. This is a common misconception, although overeating is still seen by most experts to be ultimately the most contributing factor, there are actually other influences such as energy expenditure and genetics that play key roles in the onset of the disease, obesity. The effects of obesity hold dangerous and...
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...Obesity in Pregnancy Presented by: Tammy Therrien, CHN Hillsborough County Health Department Maternal-Child Health Prenatal Clinic Obesity in Pregnancy Obesity in the United States has increased dramatically over the last 25 years (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), 2013). More than one half of pregnant women are overweight or obese (ACOG, 2013). Maternal obesity is one of the most commonly occurring risk factors in obstetric practice. Assessment and counseling, preconception and during pregnancy for obese women is strongly encouraged. Purpose of Presentation To improve the health and well being of obese pregnant women and their babies To show maternal and fetal effects of obesity To show recommendations and interventions to improve outcomes Target audience are overweight and obese pregnant women at first prenatal visit. Overweight and Obese Definition The World Health Organization (WHO) definition is: BMI greater than 25 is overweight BMI greater than 30 is obesity Risks and Complications Increased Maternal Risks: Gestational diabetes Pre-eclampsia Cesarean section/wound infection Anesthesia complications Thromboembolism Dysfunctional labor Maternal death Risks and Complications Increased Fetal Risks: Macrosomia Shoulder dystocia Stillbirth Increased admissions to the NICU Decreased rates of breastfeeding Neonatal death Obesity Perceptions and Facts A case study...
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...Childhood Obesity An American Epidemic By Annissia Y. Pate Is childhood obesity an American epidemic? The answer is yes. An epidemic is defined by a wide spread outbreak of a condition where many people are infected at the same time. Epidemic obesity is occurring all over the world. Children are eating less healthy foods and engaging in less healthy activities. Childhood obesity is not limited to any specific race or type of child, but obesity is affecting children in the United States. Today, American children are more obese than medical science recommends, and their body weight is still increasing. Childhood obesity has become one of the largest health concerns in the United States. According to the Center of Disease and Control, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Children are gaining weight due to lack of physical activity and types of quantity of food they consume. Kids today are content with sitting on the couch, spending countless hours, watching television and playing video games. We need to encourage children to get up and get involved in more physical activities. Lack of exercise is simply not enough for a growing child’s body to deal with increased caloric intake of today’s modern diet. Children must participate in gym class and make every effort to deal in sports after school. Parents must make a diligent effort to offer healthier chooses for meals. Fast foods, sugary drinks and processed...
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