My last blog exposes how the attention to body stereotypes and the use of diets and other methods of weight loss could expose women to different eating disorders. Some studies have also probed that obesity and eating disorders are closely related to body dissatisfaction, unhealthy dieting practices, and other weight related problems. In western culture obesity is rapidly becoming a serious health problem.
It is very well known that we live in a country of consumers; in fact people enjoy getting more for their money and everywhere we go there are always offers, signs, and promotions of how to “get more for your bucks.” I think it is all about retail and money; health is obviously a secondary issue. Therefore, it is necessary to seduce people with a diet base on humongous portions of food. People loves special offers like “buy one and get three,” and the always favorite 24 hours all you can eat buffets.” People are always excited to know that they can buy large with little money or in other words buying big for less.
Our society preaches on the beauty of thinness and condemns fatness; still unhealthy and high calorie foods are openly and broadly advertise everywhere. There are also other factors that play a big part on this out of control phenomena. Television and computers are a great way for entertainment but is making people stay in home more often and become seriously inactive. Walking is a choice that we don’t take in consideration anymore (that’s why we have a car right?) even if there is not a great distance to reach. I believe our youth could be more affected for the lack of activity since they are still growing and developing.
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Feeding cholesterol to each other
I strongly believed that the problem of obesity in our children should be a national concern because now more than ever we see kids between ages of four and twelve developing extreme obesity. Statistics indicated that overweight children who reach twelve years in age are more likely to be obese for the rest of their lives. So, what we are really feeding our kids with? Should the government and the school system make a strong compromise to keep a healthy diet choice for children? Certainly, if we keep this path our life expectancy would be dramatically reduced.
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Parents should be more aware of the kind of diet they provided for their children
Obesity means to have an abnormal high proportion of body fat (Prah, 2006) and it offers us a great risk to become seriously ill. Obesity increases the risk for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, cancer, arthritis, and emotional problems such as anxiety and depression (Prah, 2006).
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Obesity can make a person become seriously ill
Even when some people claim being happy living a large lifestyle I feel very skeptic about their statements. As I mention before I considered myself an advocated of women and I considered beauty in all its extension, not just physically but also deeper inside; where our real value and assets really are. Still, extremes are never good. Keeping our bodies healthy is very important and maintaining a healthy weight is definitely essential.
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Morbid obesity is an extreme form of obesity itself
Sixty years ago curvy women were the ideal of beauty. By then the idea of flesh attached to bones was unattractive and undesirable (Amiel, 2010). But our times definitely have change and there is not room for a full figure woman. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) “takes on anti-fat discrimination cases” in an effort to take fatness into acceptance and a better approach (Amiel, 2010). Members were provided with encouragement and confidence to show themselves instead of hiding or isolating away from society (Amiel, 2010).
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Cover shoot of V Magazine “Curves Ahead”
The V Magazine is another example of how women beauty is celebrated. Their slogan reads “Big is Beautiful.” Here the models are beautiful full size women (flesh stick to bones are prohibited). Still, their models maintained a routine that keeps them tone and healthy.
Awareness is the key for women health. Our bodies are just the shell that keeps all the beautiful assets we have inside, but we shouldn’t just let ourselves go. It is said that “we are what we eat,” and I believed that this is a strong true statement. Life is the most wonderful gift and we must appreciate it as it is.
Citation
Amiel, B. (2010, March 22). Confident truly huge beauties. Maclean’s. Retrieved March 15, 2011 from Gale Opposing Viewpoints Database.
Prah, P. (2006, February 10). Eating disorders. CQ Researcher. Retrieved March 17, 2011 from CQ Researcher Database.
Image 1 (n.d.) Two thirds yuck!. Retrieved April 15, 2011 from http://www.france.blog.com.blogspot.com.
Image 2 (n.d.) Obesity in America. The latest anti-obesity ads in New York are designed. Retrieved April 15, 2011 from http://www.executivehm.com.
Image 3 (n.d.) An important article about obesity in America. Retrieved April15, 2011 from http://blogs.monografias.com.
Image 4 (n.d.) Obesity in America. Retrieved April 15, 2011 from http://www.kategale.wordpress.com.
Image 5 (n.d.) Big is beautiful at V Magazine. Retrieved April 15, 2011 from http://www.examine.com.
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