Comparitvie Critique

Obesity is a growing problem and it is prevalent in all ages of society. America is no exception; in fact, America is the leading source of obesity. The obesity problem is tackled by Greg Critser and Mary Ray Worley. In Critser’s article, “Too Much of a Good Thing,” he explains how obesity takes place not only in adults, but also in children. In fact, twenty-five percent of Americans under the age of nineteen are obese (289). Parents can be held responsible for developing good eating habits for their children (289). Fixing eating habits during childhood provide a solution for limiting obesity. If bad eating habits are developed at a young age, weight problems can become more predominant later in life. Worley takes a different approach to obesity in her article, “Fat and Happy: In Defense of Fat Acceptance.” Worley describes how her experience at the National Association of Advance Fat Acceptance convention changed the way she sees herself and other fat people. She claims that it becomes easier to accept your body when around other fat people (291). After multiple attempts to lose weight, people become weary of making another attempt because of the chance of failing again states Worley (293). Accepting fatness is not someone giving up but rather starting a new relationship with their own body, claims Worley (295). Critser and Worley investigate the quickly growing problem of obesity by stating the source behind obesity, and explaining a solution to obesity.

What exactly is the source behind the epidemic of obesity? Multiple options for the source are available. Some say genetics, some say eating habits and some say lack of exercise. It all depends on what each individual believes. Critser is one who believes in the idea that poor eating habits during childhood are the main source of obesity. Developing good eating habits at a young age can go a long ways in limiting the presence of obesity. Critser supports her claim by referencing a study between three and five year olds (289). The study showed that three year olds knew when to stop eating while the five years olds did not stop until the plate was clean. Children above the age of three eat until their plate is clean because that is what they are taught to do. This presents reason why eating habits are a major source of obesity. While Critser claims that obesity is brought on by eating habits, Worley blames obesity on genetics and the body’s rejection of starvation.