Sociological Analysis Of Childhood Obesity

Child obesity is a current dilemma that has become an epidemic in Canadian society. Although the outbreak of cases of child obesity can be analyzed from a medical perspective, it should also be analyzed critically and sociologically to have a variety of perspectives from different sources. A critical sociological analysis of obesity requires the use of both past and present data regarding child obesity, along with discussing the implications of child obesity and relevant sociological theories and concepts for analysis. Using this information, it becomes clear that child obesity is a modern crisis that needs much more attention. First, past and present data can be used to show how child obesity has grown and become a widespread problem in

Structural-functionalists would analyze how child obesity serves a specific function to Canadian society and how it is perpetuated through the functions of society. For example, child obesity is a result of the consumer culture in Canada, providing the function of perpetuating the capitalistic economy through consumption of both media that promotes sedentary lifestyles and popular unhealthy foods. For example, the textbook provides an explanation for the rise in obesity, stating, “Longer work weeks, lowered costs for eating out, and the increase in two-earned and single-parent families have led Canadians to eat out more than ever before, and restaurant foods typically include far more fat and sugar than do homemade meals” (Strohschein 2014). Modern changes in society have affected the physical and dietary trends of Canadian families, resulting in increases in child obesity. Thus, sociologists using the functionalist approach can analyze how child obesity serves a function and is a product of functions in

Conflict theorists would look at the relations of power and inequalities among populations in regards to the development of child obesity. For example, Strohschein’s textbook states, “A political economy approach contends that under a capitalist regime there is an ongoing tension between the pursuit of profit and the pursuit of health” (Strohschein 2014). This tension can be seen in the rising levels of child obesity, as the advertisements of food and the sedentary lifestyles resulting from popular media have adverse effects on children. Furthermore, inequalities result in the stratification of diseases, including obesity, amongst different populations. For example, due to differences between the privileged and the lower classes, the textbook states, “Consequently, obesity and its accompanying illnesses occur disproportionately among the lower classes” (Strohschein 2014). As a result of the inequalities between the economic classes, there are disparities in the distribution of illnesses and diseases such as obesity, resulting in increases in child obesity as well. Thus, conflict theory provides a perspective that critically analyzes the inequalities and distribution of power in Canadian society and how this would cause the increased problem of child