Obesity as a Social Problem
Obesity as a Social Problem – Obesity can cause both physical and mental health issues in people. Yet, its emotional effects are much less covered and revealed in society. People with obesity are more likely to feel socially excluded, discriminated against, and humiliated.
However, the rise of such disorder shouldn’t lie on the shoulders of those individuals who suffer from it most. It should be a social responsibility. This article will cover the major social causes and consequences of obesity.
Why Obesity Is Rising in Society
Obesity has never been such a significant health problem as it appears to be now. It’s only in the recent fifty years or so that the reports on obesity have started to flood the health systems all over the world. Yet, despite this issue arising worldwide, obesity remains a problem in developed countries like the UK or the United States. Why is it so, though?
Well, reduced physical activity and increased food portions and calorie intake will have to do a lot with the increased weight gain among the population. Over the last century, most societies experienced a drastic change in lifestyle. Higher incomes and easier fields of work, such as office jobs, led to a more sedentary way of life and more diverse food choices. The changes in food growth, farming, and food processing have also resulted in products of higher fat and calorie content with fewer nutrients. Hence, it has become more challenging to maintain a healthy diet.
In addition to a more passive lifestyle, people experience more stress and mental health issues. The current obesity crisis is interconnected with the ongoing mental health crisis. Stress, depression, sleep deprivation, low self-esteem, and body image problems can also be the cause of growing obesity rates.
How to Battle Obesity on a Societal Level
The battle against obesity deserves its place among other dire social problems. Humanity needs to work together to prevent obesity from spreading further into our society.
It’s time to start educating people about the dangers of being overweight. Obesity often begins from poor dietary choices and lack of physical activity. Thus, it’s best to include food and diet education from an early age. Teaching children about nutrients, healthy food choices, and healthy relationships with food will reduce the rates of obese children and lead to a healthier next generation.
Further, people should learn more about the symptoms and dangers of obesity. Excessive body weight takes a toll on one’s body. It affects almost every organ, including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Patients with obesity have higher chances of dying of heart disease, diabetes, kidney or liver failure, and stroke.
Yet, the silver lining of this situation is that obesity can be 100% preventable and curable. People can return to a healthy weight with professional medical help, healthy diets, and exercise. Moreover, most health risks and damages can be reversed as long as a person is capable of losing enough weight. Hence, with increased awareness and education, including social encouragement, people with obesity should be able to get back to their healthy selves.
Obesity as a Social Problem – Bottom Line
At the end of the day, obesity concerns each and every one. As long as it prevails in society, it affects us all. Such a disorder prevents our society from being healthier, stronger, more united, and more productive. Hence, individuals shouldn’t fight their fight against obesity alone. It can easily become a common concern with more people learning about the disease, its threats, and ways to prevent it.
