Obesity, as we all know is on the rise at an astounding rate. A lot of the implications of obesity on the physical health of the population are now quite obvious.
A big question however is why this is happening and how are we responding to obesity?
Having read some of the articles in the reading list, it appears thatthe functionalist approach has been used to curtail the trend of obesity. With the stimulation of stigma against those who cannot control their weight. Is it appropriate to stigmatise these people when it is known that a significant proportion of obesity is due to overeating associated with psychological distress?
Additionally, since the development of fertiliser and GM crops such as corn, obesity is now economically viable, in fact financially beneficial to the US (and many other countries) hence the astounding amount of research funded by the government in to the utilisation of these energy dense food stuffs. (see ‘Food Inc.’ A fascinating documentary). Henceforth, is there an incentive clash behind how to respond to the forces underpinning modern obesity?
Finally what do obese people represent? The historically unique conquering of scarcity of nutritional resources? Or the greed of humanity? And if they do in fact represent either of these, is it significant for how obesity is considered and responded to in society as a health issue? (Japanese sumo, American Lardo?)