Argumentative Essay On Generation Obesity

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Generation Obesity
The struggle with weight has always been a problem for most Americans. Battling the bulge is nearly a way of life for many adults who struggle to keep the weight off in a fast paced, highly technological, and indulgent society. Concerns about just being overweight are no longer the primary subject because our societies have now crossed over from being overweight into obesity. Obesity is now becoming an epidemic that is not only spreading among adults, but is now making a great appearance among our youth. The rates of obesity are increasing rapidly leading to an epidemic among our children. According to Bronwyn McHugh, who wrote an article for the Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, “Obesity is about much …show more content…

The impact on self-esteem, rejection from peers, and the emotional impact of feeling different are other big concerns, which are believed to bring about other physiological issues such as depression, eating disorders, and low self-esteem. These things are harmful to the lives of adults, so one can only imagine the negative impacts that it can have on children. According to Rimm, “in a society that prioritizes physical attractiveness and beauty, and equates that beauty with being excruciatingly thin, overweight children are at a great disadvantage and are vulnerable to difficult self esteem issues and incredible peer pressure” (34). Self-esteem and acceptance are important for any child but with the overweight and obese it tends to be a lot harder for them to attain this from the outside world, especially peers. The basing of someone’s worth based off of his or her appearance and body weight seems to be a stigma that is taught in society and the result of it is destroying the image of overweight and obese children. According to an article entitled The Emotional and Social Costs of Obesity by Gregory K. Fritz M. D., “Given the negative stereotyping and peer rejection, it is not surprising that many obese children develop poor self-perceptions” (2). Many struggle with low self- esteem, a negative body image, and dissatisfaction with physical appearance. These experiences can have lasting consequences, in that being teased about weight and shape in childhood frequently leads to body dissatisfaction in adulthood.” Fritz also goes on to explain how these things can lead to mental health problems such as “higher than average rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, social withdrawal, and behavioral problems” (2). With all

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