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The Biological, Social, And Psychological Causes Of Obesity

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Despite the negative connotation that is associated with fat, it is actually healthy for our bodies to contain fat as it is “an ideal form of stored energy” (Meyers 581). The issue with fat occurs when there is too much of it stored in the body. One way to determine if someone is obese is to calculate his or her body mass index (weight in kg divided by height squared in meters). If one’s body mass index is 30 or above, that person is considered to be obese. The causes, effects, and treatments of obesity can be studied through the biological, social-cultural and behavioral perspectives of psychology. Through exploring obesity through a biological perspective, one can determine some of the causes of obesity. The biological perspective of psychology’s …show more content…

Social-cultural psychology focuses on “how behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures” (Meyers 11). Weight is a physical characteristic that can be seen by everyone. Especially with today’s media focusing on body image, a person’s weight is something that is quickly noticed. There are different stereotypes that go along with each body size. “Many people see obesity as a choice or as evidence of a lack of self-discipline or personality problem-a maladjusted way of reducing anxiety, dealing with guilt, or gratifying and ‘oral fixation’” (Meyers 583). These negative characteristics follow people suffering from obesity into the work place. In an experiment done in 1994, actors went for the same interview twice—one time normal weight and one time wearing makeup to look obese. “When appearing overweight the same person, using the same lines, intonation, and gestures, was rated less worthy of hiring” (Meyers 583). Not only is it harder for people who are obese to get jobs, but also, once they have jobs, studies show that obese women make less money than non-obese women who are equally as intelligent. The social effects are not limited to the workplace. In fact weight struggles can also cause problems at home. Four in five former obese adults said that their children had asked them not to come to school events. Obesity does not only affect one’s physical health, rather it also affects one’s social life and

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Obesity is an issue that affects many people worldwide. In the article “Why Shame Won’t Stop Obesity”, by Dhruv Khullar, Khullar tries to argue that obesity is a major problem in the United States and the way the country is handling this issue is incorrect. Khullar goes to medical school and experiences first hand the problems people with obesity have to deal with. He believes that some people have no option when it comes to what they choose to eat and that food industries are influencing people in the wrong way. He makes a strong and clear argument by identifying issues, providing evidence, solutions, and counter arguments.

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