Influence of bias over obesity
There is a negative prejudice or bias in every society with regard to obesity. It is certain that the prejudice influences the behavior of overweight people. The major prejudices about overweight people are that they are lazy and stupid in their nature and they do not have confidence, self-responsibility and control. Also they are depicted as fools in films and ads and others tease them calling by second name. “It’s amazing how much negative bias is heaped on this one physical attribute, how much someone who is overweight has to deal with on a day-to-day basis.” (Leading stories, 2009, para.2).
Over weight people are disregarded in terms of profession, education, and other social activities and recreation and even they are harmed by others. Those who experience bias will be reluctant to go for medical screenings and they will experience the bias with the medical health professionals. Since the overweight people are facing complex problems, the bias and prejudices of obesity help the person to have control over body mass.
Influence of my point of view
The society in which we live in is stigmatized with regard to overweight. I have witnessed the physical and mental disturbances of the obese people. My point of view is that the society has a norm about the nature of a human body. It does not allow being more obese and more lean. From that point of view I began to exercise daily and controlled my diet. Another point of view is that overweight people find difficulty in performing their daily activities. Therefore, my point of view also influences me to avoid becoming obese.
Evaluate a value-related perspective (e.g., ethical, cultural) relevant to your chosen problem
Obesity is a major worldwide health problem that pushes one into emotional and physical disturbances. There is a social norm in every community with regard to the growth and development of the body. People are culturally and ethically bounded to perform each and every activity. These cultural and social perceptions lead us to laugh at seeing an overweight person. Therefore, the ethical and cultural dimensions over obesity increase the sufferings of the affected. This persuades us to think critically against such social practices and diminish this perception from the main stream of the society. At the same time the ethical perspective may emphasise on giving equal opportunities for all people to be healthy. All persons who are living in the society must be given equal chance to participate in all events, they must not be kept aloof. According to ethics it may increase risk to one’s own health. Obesity is a financial burden to the community as money is required for treatment of obesity requires money. Obesity can be considered as good since it is the sign of healthiness. Cultural factors may help to increase happiness in a person and to raise the prestige in the society. ” A satisfying life comes not through affluence, but through leading a life of meaning, being healthy, being economically secure, and sharing one’s life with a supportive community.” (The living earth ethical principles: shifting perspective and active political engagement, 2009, para.2).
But obsession may lead to destroy all these and may lead an unhappy life. The only way to reduce the weight is by taking proper exercise, dieting etc. A person’s culture may infuse his eating manners and fatness. In today’s world it is a custom to go to gymnasium to become slim. Both men as well as women are adopting this strategy. The intake of fast food causes obesity. Unbalanced diets may also lead to obesity.
Conclusion
Social, ethical and cultural perspectives on obesity discriminate the affected people irrespective of gender, age and place. This paper reflects the influence of bias over obesity, influence of my point of view about overweight and the evaluation of value related perspective with regard to obesity.
Reference List
Leading stories: Study: obesity bias prevalent among professionals, public. (2009). NePsy.com: Official Website of New England Psychologist, 17(8). Web.
The living earth ethical principles: shifting perspective and active political engagement. (2009). The Free Library. Web.