Abstract
Obesity is fast becoming one of the leading medical issues in a majority of areas around the globe. There has been a steady rise in the number of obesity cases both in adults and children particularly in the US. This steady increase raises the question of the efficiency of the intervention methods in place. However, recent years have seen a leveling of the rates in children and a decrease in adults. This is in part as a result of increased sensitization through education programs and advertisements that promote the fight against obesity. The effectiveness of using education as a tool shown by the documented decrease in the rates suggest the success of using information as a tool for sensitization on what obesity entails. This paper shall in turn review the effectiveness of using education as an intervention tool for combating obesity.
Section I: PROBLEM STATEMENT
Obesity has been a matter of concern for individuals all over the globe for a long time with the trends in the past couple of decades showing a steady rise in the rates of obesity both in children and adults. At least 70% of county officials in America ranked obesity as the leading problem in the areas of their residence ("Obesity Rates & Trends Overview - The State of Obesity," n.d.). The issue’s sensitivity arises from the fact that factors related to obesity are also rated as communities’ priority health issues such as nutrition and physical activity. Additionally, obesity also triggers the onset of some health complications like hypertension and diabetes. The high rates of obesity countrywide have been a cause for concern with at least one in every three adults and one in every six children being considered obese. This raises concerns that prompted intervention that has seen the number of obese children begin to level off and that of adults gradually slowdown in the recent years. However, the interventions’ success is hindered primarily by the effect of negative influence by the society.
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As per Bandura’s social learning theory, the character and behaviour of an individual is a product of the information that they have been exposed to all through their lives (Thomas & Simpson, 2014). This explains why such a phenomenon like racial differences is non-existent in the early stages of our lives. This goes to emphasize the undeniable power of information. To further highlight the power of information we shall look at what power information has in determining social norms. Social norms are the actions and behaviours that are considered acceptable by people living in a particular community. These social norms which are passed through the process of interaction as per the social learning theory help to preserve cultural practices which include the very social norms. However, these norms can sometimes lead to prejudice. Some long-standing social prejudice and stereotypes are based on social norms. For example, we live in a society where an individual’s size is used as a pointer of the health status with fatter people being considered unhealthier.
This social norm on what counts as healthy regarding body shape and size has led to subsequent stereotyping of fat and large individuals as being obese and unhealthy. The stereotype is as a result of incorrect information based on the assumption that small means healthy and huge is the equivalent of obesity and synonymous with being unhealthy. There is, therefore, a need to educate individuals on what counts as being healthy and what is not. This realization stems from the fact that bullying that is motivated by appearance can result in such drastic actions such as depression, withdrawal from individuals, and even suicidal tendencies from feelings of being unwanted. Secondly, it is evident that there is blatant misinformation when it comes to health and appearance and that disparity needs to be corrected if there is to be an improvement in the efficiency of the interventions. Therefore, the society needs to be educated on what healthy living entails so as to erase the social stereotypes, improve the general health of individuals, and ultimately cut down on the cost of dealing with complications related to unhealthy living.
Section II: LITERATURE REVIEW
Obesity is proving to be one of the critical health issues in the US with one in every three adults, and one in every six children between the ages of 2-19 being considered obese ("Obesity Rates & Trends Overview - The State of Obesity," n.d.). Obesity often triggers the onset of other medical complications such as hypertension which in turn further threaten the life of the individuals. The steady rise over the decades in the obesity rates in the country has raised the alarm on the efficiency of the intervention measure in place. This prompted a review that has established misinformation to be one of the leading cause of the inefficiency of the measures (Huang, Yan, Chen, & Liu, 2016). It is for this reason that education of the public on what healthy living entails is an excellent way of empowering the community and ultimately help in combating obesity.
Education Helps Reduce Stigmatization
Information is considered a potent tool in combating obesity. The value of information depends largely on the credibility of the information. As per the social learning theory, an individual’s character and behaviors are a product of the information that they are exposed to by interaction. This assumption stems from the fact that information is power and the right information can be the difference on the outcome of any specific venture. There are several causes of obesity ranging from genetics, overeating, some medication, to some psychological factors. However, not a lot of individuals have access to the information. According to Barry, Brescoll, Brownell, & Schlesinger (2009), the understanding of the causes of obesity helps discourage indulgence in activities that might result in obesity such as overeating. Additional research showed that another stumbling block to the effective implementation of measures to curb obesity is the stigmatization that arises from social norms and stereotypes on sizes and weight (Kahrass, Strech, & Mertz, 2017). Individuals who are smaller in size are considered to be healthier as opposed to their larger counterparts. The resulting stigma against the obese often has both negative and positive effects. In some cases, it motivates intervention in order for the victim to attain societal acceptance. However, the adjustment usually does not last long and in some cases results in other complications that might vary from low self-esteem to complications arising from individuals engaging in drastic measures of dealing with obesity such as liposuction (Mehar, 2014).
Education Boosts Self-Acceptance, Morale, and Self-Esteem Which Motivates Self-Improvement.
As previously stated the motivation for the majority of individuals pursuing intervention for obesity is to seek societal acceptance. This stems from the unfair standards that are considered acceptable that are a product of misinformation. Proper education will help to establish the difference between body size and health which is the basis for most of the presumptions in place about body size and the health status of an individual (Grogan, 2016). However, an individual’s body size is not an indicator of their health, and as such, the intervention measure for dealing with obesity should not be determined by their body size as it is not an indicator of their physical health state (Bombak, 2014). It was also found that acceptance by an individual on their health state is the first step toward determining the possible approaches to dealing with the state (Berman, Morton, & Hegel, 2016). Additionally, self-acceptance was found to boost the mental health and well-being of the individual thereby boosting morale and self-esteem in the individuals which often motivates self-improvement (Bluth & Blanton, 2014). Bluth and Blanton (2014) also found that individuals who had undergone the process of self-acceptance were more inclined to be appreciative of other individual’s faults which would in turn help alleviate the stigma against obesity.
Summary
The problem of obesity is caused primarily by some activities that can be avoided. Additionally, there are a lot of intervention methods for dealing with obesity. However, of the approaches, some are considered healthy while the extremity of others can be avoided through education. For example, the choice of liposuction to deal with obesity is rather drastic when there are other cheaper, safer, and less invasive interventions available. Additionally, the society’s view on body size and obesity act as a significant stumbling block for its intervention due to the misinformation. Education will consequently result in the change of view on obesity, reduce stigma, and promote support for those with the problem thereby increasing the success rates of the possible interventions.
Section III: PROJECT NARRATIVE
The understanding of the power of information over ignorance stems from the fact that all advancements and innovation is a product of knowledge and information application. With regard to obesity, several misconceptions inhibit the efficiency of the various intervention measures put in place. For one, there is a great misconception about what obesity is with a lot of individuals making the judgment based on their body sizes. This misconception leads to stigmatization of individuals who fit the dictates of the socially-acceptable definition of obesity. The stigma leads to other psychological and physiological conditions such as eating disorders in a bid to maintain the ‘acceptable body image, stress, and depression. These disorders further threaten the mental and physical health of the individuals.
However, it is important to establish that obesity is a condition that can be avoided and treated. Secondly, it is important to understand that despite the misconception that huge body size is synonymous with obesity this is not a definite indication of obesity. For example, an individual can be huge but still be healthy. And most importantly, it is essential to understand that since character and beliefs are products of information one is exposed to then exposure to different information might lead to a change in character and beliefs. Education of the society on obesity, its causes, possible preventive measures, and the possible ways of managing it is, therefore, a great approach in addressing the issue of obesity and irregular eating disorders.
Goals and Objectives
There are several objectives that the education program seeks to achieve. These include:
1. Provide an extensive understanding of what obesity is.
An understanding of what it means for one to be obese will help reduce cases of presumptive deduction by the general public.
2. The sensitization of the community on obesity
An understanding of the toll that obesity plays in the society is necessary if there is to be a realization of the magnitude of the problem.
3. Provide an understanding of the comprehensive list of interventions available for management and prevention of obesity.
The provision of comprehensive information on obesity will include an in-depth analysis of the possible interventions, their drawbacks, advantages, and hence help provide guidance during decision-making on what approach should be taken.
4. Discourage surgical interventions to dealing with obesity
After the sharing of the information on possible less invasive approaches to dealing with obesity, there is a firm belief that it will discourage individuals from opting to undertake some extreme measures such as liposuction.
Target Population
Obesity is a global problem that can afflict anyone around the globe irrespective of their gender, race, or age. Additionally, the stigma that is attached to obesity comes from people who do not suffer from it. For this reason, the program to sensitize individuals on the obesity targets every individual member of the society. This stems from the fact that even if an individual does not suffer from obesity, they can be liable for the stigma faced by individuals suffering from obesity. This is the reason as to why the program seeks to sensitize the entire society on the plight of obesity. Secondly, since everyone stands the chance of developing obesity, an enlightenment on ways of preventing and managing obesity acts as an excellent tool for discouraging the prevalence of obesity in the society.
Proposed Activities
The education program primarily seeks to accomplish four objectives as previously stated. Each of the objectives has specific activities that aim to ensure the realization of each objective. Here are the activities and whatever objectives they seek to achieve.
1. Audio-visual lectures
First, there is the education on what obesity is, its causes, possible intervention. This shall be done using audio-visual presentations. These addresses will help provide a core understanding of precisely what obesity is. The in-depth knowledge of obesity breeds awareness on obesity. Additionally, the information communicated in these lectures particularly about intervention and management options aims to discourage undertaking surgical procedures to deal with obesity.
2. Group Discussions
These group meetings will come after the audio-visual lectures. These sessions which will also be moderated by an instructor much like the previous session will seek to engage the audience in discussions of whatever information that would be communicated in the lectures. The discussion will also in turn help foster interactions between different individuals of the society in a controlled environment. This is bound to cultivate mutual respect among individuals (Beebe & Masterson, 2014). Better relationships will better help to reduce stigmatization among individuals.
3. Administration of BMI (Body Mass Index) Tests
To establish the difference between being huge and obesity, there shall be an administration of optional Body Mass Index (BMI) tests. These tests will also serve as an instruction manual for people seeking to do it themselves.
Evaluation
The evaluation of every venture is essential in determining its effectiveness. For this case, a reduction in the cases of report stigmatization will act as one of the tools to measure the effectiveness of the program. Secondly, an assessment of the number of surgical procedures performed to deal with obesity is also an assessment of the program’s effectiveness particularly in suggesting other less invasive approaches to dealing with obesity. Thirdly, there can be an administration of follow up questionnaires to all participants in the program to evaluate how many of them adopted healthier eating habits and exercise as both preventive and intervention measures for dealing with obesity.
References
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Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (2014). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices . Pearson Higher Ed.
Berman, M. I., Morton, S. N., & Hegel, M. T. (2016). Health at every size and acceptance and commitment therapy for obese, depressed women: Treatment development and clinical application. Clinical Social Work Journal , 44 (3), 265-278.
Bluth, K., & Blanton, P. W. (2014). Mindfulness and self-compassion: Exploring pathways to adolescent emotional well-being. Journal of child and family studies , 23 (7), 1298-1309.
Bombak, A. (2014). Obesity, health at every size, and public health policy. American Journal of Public Health (ajph) .
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Huang, H., Yan, Z., Chen, Y., & Liu, F. (2016). A social contagious model of the obesity epidemic. Scientific reports , 6 .
Kahrass, H., Strech, D., & Mertz, M. (2017). Ethical issues in obesity prevention for school children: a systematic qualitative review. International Journal of Public Health , 62 (9), 981-988.
Mehar, H. (2014). Associations of Psychological Well-being and Interpersonal Relations with Obesity. Journal of Psychosocial Research , 9 (1), 55.
Obesity Rates & Trends Overview - The State of Obesity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://stateofobesity.org/obesity-rates-trends-overview/
Thomas, K. J., & Simpson, S. S. (2014). Social learning theory. Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice , 4951-4963.
