Robert L. Peralta, author of "Thinking Sociologically about Sources of Obesity in the United States", includes his perspective on obesity in his article. He reveals to the readers that obesity is due to social aspects affecting weight gain; it is not solely due to genetics, as other articles state. Throughout the article, Peralta includes numerous examples and studies on different aspects of society which have an impact on rising obesity rates. As the article progresses onward, Peralta demonstrates how obesity is in fact correlated with "money, knowledge, power, prestige, and interpersonal resources" (Peralta 204). Peralta 's article effectively conveys that society is to blame for obesity by indirectly stating it and also how social aspects …show more content…
He uses a plethora of examples which have been cited, thus giving the audience the assumption that the sources are to be trusted. One case study on high school girls resulted in 90% white girls and 70% African American girls who were unsatisfied with their weight (Peralta 207). This study supports Peralta 's inference in which social aspects affect obesity; in addition to social reasons, race differences as well as other differences (gender, age, money, etc..) will be a contributing force to obesity 's rising rates. Lissner 's article provides reinforcement by stating that obesity 's rising rates are due to environmental factors ("Psychosocial..." 77). Additionally, Lissner also utilizes a number of cases which contribute to emphasized point: psychosocial aspects can lead to obesity. Conflicting to Peralta and Lissner, Loos and Bouchard 's article contradict the statements above by saying, "the susceptibility to obesity is partly determined by genetic factors"; however, it also states, "an 'obesogenic ' environment is typically necessary for its phenotypic expression", giving the impression that even though genetics are impactful, social issues or environment contribute the same level of importance ("Obesity..."
Brody, Jane E. “Attacking the Obesity Epidemic by First Figuring Out Its Cause.” New York Times. 12 September 2011. Print.
This documentary shows great examples of how obesity is a rapidly growing epidemic as important as terrorism, according to Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona. He stated, “Obesity is a terror within us. It destroys our society from within.” If we don’t take responsibility and change our horrible eating patterns we are going to be doomed. One of the main reasons for obesity, other than the lack of a healthy diet, is the modernization of our world.
Fumento uses humor to open the article by stating “the Land of the Fat, Home of the Broad” is how America should be defined. However, this statement might offend people who are obese or anyone in general. Fumento shows that he is unhappy with those people who have been carelessly giving out information on the low-fat diet and claims that much of the obesity epidemic can be laid at the feet of the food industry, diet-book authors, and government health officials. Throughout the piece, Fumento expresses his concern about the rising obesity epidemic and claims that health officials must stick to science if they want to help defeat the epidemic, but “first, do no harm.” The impact of the increasing obesity statistics have concerned Fumento so much that he has also written his own book, “The Fat of the Land,” to discuss this controversy. In the book he discusses the misinformation given out to the public on loosing weight and how they reap billions in profit. Intrinsic ethos takes a positive toll on Fumento’s argument which creates a better chance of getting his point across to the
Interest in the social aspects of obesity is nothing new. Jeffrey Sobal has written extensively about the social and psychological consequences of obesity , including the stigmatisation and discrimination of obese and even overweight individuals (Sobal 2004).
I find this a little contradicting because for the majority of the book, Cristler is blaming things such as the media, economic status, and race (all things that are out of an individual’s control) for the reasons of our nations obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyles. I do agree with Cristler through in the idea that all the factors he mentions have an effect on obesity in our nation as a whole. I think every factor contributes to the overall increase of weight gain and obesity rates in our society and Cristler does an excellent job of informing his readers in a way that makes us really question what kind of things our society is promoting and influencing us with on a daily
In order to take a sociological viewpoint into account when one examines obesity, first it is important to understand how obesity is recognized in current society. According to today’s news articles and magazines and advertisements and other mass media about health and healthy life, one can easily realize that a great number of people have an eagerness to be healthy. Also, one can assume through these mass media about health that everyone wants to be attractive, and they are even prone to transform their own behaviors to gain attractiveness. This is because most people live a life where social interaction is frequently required and must engage themselves into social interaction every day of their life. Therefore, based on these ideas and proofs throughout this mass media, obesity is regarded as one of the characteristics that is disgraceful and undesirable in society.
Moon, Amy. "A Culture Obsessed with Thinness Propagates Misconceptions About Obesity." SF Gate (8 Apr. 2008). Rpt. in How Should Obesity be Treated? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Apr. 2011.
Obesity moved across the nation without regard to sex, race, and age, or so it seemed. However, it strikes some groups more than others. Furthermore, 69 percent of non-Hispanic black women are overweight or obese and 58 percent of non-Hispanic black men are overweight or obese (?Overweight and Obesity?? np). Studies show that minorities in a lower socioeconomic bracket are more likely than whites in a higher socioeconomic bracket to become obese (?
Genetics plays a major role in obesity; inherited genes sometimes contribute to the accumulation of fat in the body. Over 200 genes have effect on the weight having repercussions from physical activity, food choices and metabolism. Therefore, genes may increase the vulnerability of a person to become obese. Family eating patterns and social tendencies can also trigger obesity. Moreover, environmental circumstances such as availability of food high in calories and fat and the increase of the portions and combination selections in meals contribute to the development of fat accumulated for years in the body (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011, pg. 277).
Ever since the creation of the golden arches, America has been suffering with one single problem, obesity. Obesity in America is getting worse, for nearly two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight. This obesity epidemic has become a normal since no one practices any type of active lifestyle. Of course this is a major problem and many wish it wasn 't in existence, but then we start to ask a major question. Who do we blame? There are two articles that discuss numerous sides of this question in their own unique way. “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko is better than “Don 't Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko due to its position in argument, opposition, and it’s reoccurrence in evidence.
There are many factors that lead to obesity; but, according to Robert Peralta, he considers only few factors to be the main cause behind it all. Robert Peralta writer of, "Thinking Sociologically about Sources of Obesity in the United States" effectively states that socioeconomic status, availability, poverty, and knowledge are key components in todays society of obesity (200-201). In his article he had an effective point in saying, " Unlike the physically disabled, the obese are held responsible for their condition" (Peralta 205). In his article he mentions how SES and obesity coincide with each other because the access to the resources that may help minimize obesity are limited (202). Along with that he found research based by
This chapter gives various social and biological reasons for the growing world-wide health concern of obesity. Name them and views - why is the reality of weight for most people so far from the cultural or societal ideal?
Childhood obesity has recently become a major problem not only in the Unites States, but all around the world. No one knows the real reason as to why childhood obesity has recently become a major epidemic, but it has been found that the environment that the children live in plays a factor in the child’s weight status. Not only that but, some people believe that fast food and their million dollar industries is the reasons why so many children are obese. Whereas others have found that it all relies on their parents, that they, the parents, are the reason why their children are the way they are. Some even say that it’s the school’s fault because they do not teach the children how to live a healthy lifestyle. Whatever it is, it need to be fixed so that we can have a healthier America. At the same time that I believe that the parents play a big role in the weight status of their children, I also believe that schools play a factor in the recent outbreak of childhood obesity.
Crossley, N. 2004. Fat is a Sociological Issue: Obesity Rates in Late Modern, Body-Conscious' Societies. Social Theory & Health, 2 (3), pp. 222--253.
Today, obesity is swooping through the nation at such an alarming rate it could be considered an epidemic. In today’s society, obesity has become a new form of normalcy, it isn 't uncommon to see an individual who looks to be obese regardless of the person’s background or ethnicity. Historically, being heftier and rounded indicated a sort of indication of a status of wealth and good health, so it is important to note that the views upon obesity have shifted dramatically in terms of not just physical appearance, but more importantly health. The definition of obesity given by the dominant approach is a body mass index of over 30. With this approach, it is automatically assumed that if one has a high body mass index, they are of poor health. Though