One of the known major public health concern is obesity. Obesity is caused due to an excessive intake of calories coupled with a decreased expenditure of energy. Obesity is one of the major diseases that have social implications. The causes of obesity can be classified as genetic and environmental. In general, obesity can occur due to a combination of one or the following conditions including genetic predisposition, consumption of energy-rich diet, limited exercise, and living a sedentary life. Other possible factors include an underlying disorder, eating problems, and poverty. Obesity is regarded as a social issue because it is a disease that is mainly associated with the lifestyle of an individual. Also, over the recent past, magazines and advertisements have portrayed obesity patients in what is termed as unrealistic body size and shapes. Such portrayals can cause a wide-range of social and psychological problems that range from self-depreciation to depression. Therefore, as a disease, obesity has its causal roots in societal domain and also has implications on the society in general.
Importance of This Topic
Many people view obesity as a medical problem that is hallmarked by the accumulation of excessive body fat. However, as people continue to experience the effects of obesity, they slowly realize it changes into a social problem. Obesity is becoming an epidemic in countries such as the United States and Australia, and this is as a result of environmental determinants that can be viewed through sociological lenses. Counihan and Van Esterik (2012) asserted that nutrition is regarded medically as one of the major causes of obesity. However, this can be viewed sociologically by assessing the nutritional transitions towards fatty foods with the increasing production of high caloric food at lower prices. Increased access to multivehicle and the tendency of people to employ more sedentary lifestyles are also major social contributors to the disease. One important factor of essence to understand with regards to obesity is the fact that it affects more people of lower socioeconomic class. Obesity is highly linked to poverty mainly because of poor diets that come as a result of a low level of education, lack of opportunities and stress. Other than poverty, overcrowding which is common among individuals of the low socioeconomic class can prevent the parental supervision of their children which can negatively impact their children by predisposing them to risk factors for the disease. Most unhealthy fast foods are also becoming increasingly available and at affordable prices.
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Sociology involves a study of the structure, development, and function of the society in which human beings live in. Consequently, it also analyzes the various transformations that occur in the society and how such changes affect human beings. Obesity is one of the main health concerns that have come about as a result of sociological transformations. Work is an important aspect of human life because it gives them the ability to fiancé their household and also helps them in acquiring self-esteem and pleasure. However, there is a growing trend in work where many duties now do not require much energy consumption. Most work today requires less physical involvement compared to the jobs people did in the late 20 th century. Traveling to work has also become easier due to the modern public transport. Sociology is also concerned with the study of human behavior in the society and how certain factors affect the way they do certain things ( Counihan & Van Esterik, 2012). In this regard, it is critical to note that obesity is a critical determinant of how people relate as seen by the stigmatization effects it has on the patients. Some of the psychological impacts of obesity include lowered self-esteem, increased anxiety, depression, and eating disorder might also set in.
Historical Background
Food shortage and the resultant malnutrition are major problems that have faced humanity since time immemorial. Obesity which is now a worldwide pandemic is only a few decades old. Technological advances witnessed in the eighteenth century hallmarked the gradual increase in food witnessed thereafter. Such advances also had other benefits including improved public health, and also food existed in different amounts, quality, and variety hence improving the people's body size and longevity. Technological advancements since after the Second World War have seen an increased amount of food production and a reduction in physical activities which have played a significant role in the emergence of obesity. It is therefore critical to note that obesity as a pathological condition is less than a century years old. The scarcity of food over the years created a notion that being fat was desirable and good as represented in the medical opinions, art, and literature of people living during this particular time. However, late in the 19 th century, the idea of being fat was stigmatized mainly for aesthetic reasons. In the 20 th century, there was also an association of weight with the increased mortality. Research today has associated obesity with a number of diseases including diabetes, heart diseases, and hypertension among others.
Belief Systems
Human beings are living in a time of advances in science and technology. Therefore reliable information regarding obesity can be easily acquired through books and internets among other sites. It is, however, critical to appreciate the position of obesity in the society and its implications therein. As such, people develop beliefs, myths, and unproven assumptions about the health concern. One of the beliefs about obesity is that eating an increased amount of vegetables and fruits will likely result in weight loss. Whereas it sounds like a good idea, it must be accompanied by a change in diet and behavioral tendencies such as physical exercise. Another mythical idea with regards to obesity is that losing weight faster is dangerous because it means that one would likely gain it faster again. Most experts have however postulated the best way to lose weight which is gradually at a preferable rate of two pounds in every week. Another common myth is that eating breakfast on a regular basis will most likely protect an individual from acquiring obesity. However, it is down to the nature of the breakfast consumed and engagement in physical exercise.
Another major belief that is closely associated with obesity is that the health concern in children is as a result of the parents’ fault. Also, it is widely held that obesity in children is mainly caused fast foods. However, Moore and Cunningham (2012) illustrated that it is vital to note that no single category of food can directly be linked with obesity but rather the overconsumption of calories of a sustained period. There is a group of people that have closely associated watching too much TV and video games to obesity. However, it would be fallacious to believe so because it is research has only proven inactivity, which can take many forms, as one of the primary ways in which obesity is caused. Another common myth closely associated with obesity is when people assert that they are overweight because of their slow metabolism. Such a claim is important especially among individuals who find it difficult to shed off some weight. However, it is almost impossible to measure the efficiency of an individual's metabolism. However, it would be vital to appreciate that metabolism increases as one gradually gains weight so that the body can effectively supply various organs and tissues with energy.
Sociological Theories
One of the most critical sociological theories that would be important in explaining obesity is the functionalist theory. The theory would explain obesity as a problem by asserting that good health is necessary for members of the society to effectively carry their roles. Ill health, which can take numerous forms including obesity and the accompanying diseases, can impair an individual’s ability to perform their roles in the society. Also, when so many people in the society have various health concerns, the society will face major implications with regards to the stability and social functioning. In a functionalist system, various parts of a complex societal system work together to ensure stability and solidarity. Similarly, with regards to obesity, various stakeholders or players are interconnected in a system and all influence the disorder in one way or the other. Such players include healthcare professionals, food manufacturers, marketers, the distribution chain, and consumers among others. The functionalist theory further urges individuals to assess issues in a macro-perspective way. Therefore, looking at this health concern through this lens, policy makers and stakeholders can come up with a range of solutions to get rid of obesity from the population. Some of the strategies that could be employed include taxing fast foods heavily and restricting access to certain types of foods.
The second sociological perspective that could be used in explaining obesity as a disease is the social stratification theory. The theory divides the society into various classes including the upper social, economic class, the middle class, and the lower economic class. Sobal (2017) emphasized that such a division enables the sociologists to identify a pattern of an illness in a certain social class. They would, therefore, be able to explain why such patterns occur, the consequences, and recommendations. As previously stated, obesity is mainly a disease facing individuals in the low socio-economic classes. In finding the reasons for this, it would be vital to appreciate that most people in this group of people have low income and therefore can only afford high caloric food which goes at an affordable price. Secondly, most of these people have lowly educated and therefore do not understand the predisposing factors that could lead to obesity. With the members of this societies majorly living in overcrowding environment, it becomes increasingly difficult for the parents to monitor the behavioral practices of their children which would expose them to risk factors of childhood obesity.
Symbolic interactionism is another theory that can effectively be applied in making sense out of obesity as a sociological factor. The theory asserts that illnesses a social construction. Both physical and mental conditions do not reflect the reality but rather depict what the society would want to think. The theory might be wrong when discussing the medical conditions of obesity because it is proven beyond any reasonable doubt that it causes a host of other health concerns including heart diseases and high blood pressure. However, the theory will apply to the social and psychological problems that the disease has on an individual. Patients become increasingly devastated by their increased weight that subsequently leads to diminished self-esteem and depression. At this point, symbolic interactionism can be used to explain how the society has constructed illness in the victim after creating the notion that being overweight is antisocial. Conflict theory also highlights the whole issue of social inequality in the society. The healthcare system thrives in a society where the rich and the poor exist. The healthcare system favors the rich at the expense of the the low-income earners as seen with the assertions that obesity is a disease for those in the low classes of social stratification.
How the Topic Is Relevant To the Course
The course under study is introduction to sociology. Sociology is the scientific analysis of the society. Among the issues studied in sociology include the interactions of humans and various cultural aspects. Through sociology people can be able to make connections between social issues and personal experiences. Health issues therefore form part of the broader personal experiences that human beings go through. As such, it is critical to relate the health problems to the social issues. Obesity is among the health concerns that have a great social bearing. First, a part of its etiology is concerned with the environment which includes the society. As such, it becomes a critical sociological issue because predisposing factors such as diet and lack of physical exercise are related to the society. Secondly, some of its impacts on an individual including the loss of self-esteem and depression come as a result of the social construction that the disease brings into the community. Therefore the topic of health illness, especially obesity, perfectly demonstrates the relationship between personal experiences and social issues as described in the course “introduction to sociology.”
Family and Social Structure
Obesity in the US is a critical public health issue especially among children emanating from disadvantaged backgrounds. Understanding the family and social structure will explain certain important factors such as the role of the parents, race, ethnic background, and financial capital as determinants for obesity. The family structure is an essential factor in the development of obesity because it predicts the well-being of the child and also serves as an important socioeconomic structure. Therefore, obesity, especially among children is greatly influenced by family and social factors such as the parent’s level of education and the poverty status among others. Moore and Cunningham (2012) asserted that research has shown that children raised by cohabiting parents or by a relative caregiver such as a grandparent are at an increased risk of developing obesity. Both poor and non-poor children in married biological or married step parent relationships have a higher likelihood of attaining obesity. On the contrary, children raised in unmarried relationships show a lower tendency of acquiring obesity. Researchers have also found out that the parents’ occupational status is a critical factor in determining childhood obesity. Working mothers could be a reason for the increased obesity in children. The reason is because the parents do not get an enough amount of time to monitor the eating habits of their children.
Social structures also play a critical role in the development of obesity. Research has shown that a lower education level coupled with lower income levels was a critical factor in the development of obesity. The correlation owes to the fact that educated people are better placed to make informed decisions with regards to their diet. Behavioral patterns also have an impact on obesity. For instance, smoking is regarded one of the main reasons for the increased weight. Urbanization also plays a role in the increased rates of obesity. Also, the increased rates of globalization have seen an increase in the availability of affordable fatty foods in most of the countries.
Comparison of Obesity in Different Cultures
Obesity is a major health concern in developed countries. The US is among the countries in the world where obesity is highly prevalent. However, it is vital to appreciate that the health concern depicts some disparities within the American community especially when comparing the white and the black communities. Research has postulated that black adults are approximately 1.5 times likely to develop obesity compared to the whites. About 48% of the African Americans have obesity compared the 33% obesity rates among the whites. It also estimated that a whopping 75% of African Americans are either obese or overweight compared to whites who have at 67% ( Ogden et al . 2014). With regards to children, blacks tend to show higher rates of obesity as compared to the white children. The rate is similar in adolescent and teenagers. Reasons for the growing disparities in obesity between the two communities stems from two main reasons including socioeconomic status and access to health. The blacks, being part of the minority, face many problems with regards to access to proper healthcare. Due to their low socioeconomic standards, most of them cannot afford healthy foods due to their low income.
In conclusion, obesity as a health issue has many societal implications that make it an interesting area of sociology. Two main areas make it an important subject in the society. First, some of its causes stem out from the peoples’ interaction with the environment. Secondly, some of the resultant implications of the disease such as depression and stigmatization are socially constructed. Sociological theories such as functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and social stratification can effectively be used to assess the role of the society in the development of this health issue. Obesity is also greatly influenced by family and social structure making it relevant to the course content “introduction to sociology.” It, therefore, means that the arrangement of human beings in the society can greatly impact the development of the disease. Finally, as a health issue that is influenced by various factors in the society, it is vital to appreciate how it varies among different communities such as the whites and the blacks as illustrated above.
References
Counihan, C., & Van Esterik, P. (Eds.). (2012). Food and culture: A reader . Routledge.
Moore, C. J., & Cunningham, S. A. (2012). Social position, psychological stress, and obesity: a systematic review. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics , 112 (4), 518-526.
Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., & Flegal, K. M. (2014). Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. Jama , 311 (8), 806-814.
Sobal, J. (2017). Weighty issues: Fatness and thinness as social problems . Routledge.
