Is Bigger Always Better? Essay

For centuries, a plump figure was considered attractive in both(prenominal) men and women. Full figures suggested a life of ease and luxury. Still today, fryren argon taught that an older man in a red suit with a rounded midsection is jolly and approachable. Some whitethorn plain carry that a little pad around the belly is not much(prenominal) a notional thing. Sadly, far too many another(prenominal) commonwealth leave more(prenominal) than a little. obesity has become a worldwide pestiferous that affects individuals psychologically, socially, economically, and physically. corpulency can healthyly affect an individual psychologically and socially. and as prejudices against race, sex, and religion are common all across the world, so is prejudice against heavy people. The AORN Journal states that obese individuals often are considered inert overeaters without will power or motivation are slothful, have pitiful personal eating and exercise habits, are of limited i ntelligence, and lack self-control (Shortt). Such prejudices have even been seen in physicians who are fleshiness specialists. agree to a study found in psychological science Today, some physicians associated fat people with laziness and stupidity and connected them to words like bad or chargeless (Allen). The fact that healthcare professionals have such strong biases reinforces how widespread the stigma of corpulency is in our society (Allen). Unfortunately, prejudice and contrariety carries on into everyday life for the obese individual. Economic hardship may ensue. Employment opportunities may be affected. Employers often presume that people who are obese are lazy and have poor work habits (Allen). This misconception results in job opportunities being denied or limited to the obese. Employers also want their companies to be perceived as young, dynamic, and energetic so they avoid putting people who are obese in visible positions, erroneously believing that the obese perso n will not be quick or spay to the publics needs (Allen).Although employment opportunities may decrease, expenses related to obesity are on the rise. Clothes and shoes cost more because the items may have to be especially made and ordered. Medical bills for associated health problems bring d experience to pile up. Finding a seat to fit in becomes an added difficulty. For example, many airlines are now requiring obese individuals to purchase two seats to keep their wider size. Added expenses pose a serious dilemma, since income rates are cut back and pauperization rates are higher in families with obese members (Raman). Emotional suffering, however, may be one of the most painful effects of obesity. Society subtly teaches that attraction equals thin. The pressure from peers does not help either. Obese individuals, especially children and adolescents, are often subjected to endless teasing and ridicule. It is of little wonder that not so thin men and women think of themselves as fat and unattractive. These individuals may sidetrack to believe the prejudices about them are true. Such feelings of low self worth lead to impression in many individuals.Thus, depression is often linked to obesity. Concerning children, and term in Psychology Today states, The longer a child is over weight, the more he or she is at peril for depression and other mental disorders (Lawson). Without intervention, these problems can carry on into adulthood. Obese children and adults are at essay for serious emotional problems. The Merck manual of Diagnosis and Therapy states, Problems entangle disparagement of system image, a condition in which persons feel that their body is grotesque and loathsome. They believe that others view them with hostility and contempt, which makes them self-conscious and impairs social cognitive process (Beers 60). Sadly, these emotional problems may affect personal achievements and relationships. According to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, then umber of years of education and marriage rates were lower among women who were obese in childhood and adolescence (Raman). While the psychological, social, and emotional effects of obesity are significant, the physical effects of obesity are far more profound. In fact, the physical effects of obesity are life-threatening. According to the AORN Journal, a person who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to go away prematurely as a person of average weight (Shortt). The article continues by stating, In 2000, obesity callable to poor diet and inactiveness cause 16% of all deaths (ie, 400,000), making it the number-two killer after baccy use (ie, 435,000 deaths) (Shortt). Obese individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic medical conditions. The AORN Journal lists eccentric 2 diabetes, effect disease, stroke, hypertension, catch some Zs apnea, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer as conditions related to obesity (Shortt). Concerning the increased risk of cancer, Brunner and Suddarths Textbook of Medical- surgical Nursing states, obesity is associated with endometrial cancer and by chance postmenopausal breast cancers. Obesity may also increase the risk for cancers of the colon, kidney, and gall bladder (Smeltzer 321).The text also correlates obesity and back injuries due to increased stress in the relatively weak back muscles (2051). several(prenominal) other physical effects of obesity are noted in the Merck Manual of diagnosis and Therapy including orthopedic disturbances of weight-bearing and non-weight bearing joints. The text also states, cutis disorders are particularly common increased sweat and skin secretions, pin down in thick folds of skin, produce a culture medium contributory to fungal and bacterial growth and infections (Beers 60). Everyday tasks become a charge up to the obese. Climbing a set of stairs, walking to the mailbox, tying shoelaces, and playing with their own children are all considered strenuous ac tivities. The onset of shortness of breath, increased heart rate and blood pressure, seating, and fatigue quickly bring any type of physical activity to an end. The increased stress to the heart due to obesity can eventually lead to chronic heart failure and even death. The expression bigger is better is true for many things. Weight is not one of them. As waistbands continue to expand, human lives are being endangered. Obesity is a worldwide crisis that brings long-term psychological, social, emotional, and physical effects. A closer look at obesity proves that bigger is not always better.Works CitedAllen, Colin. Obesity Doctors Are Weight Biased. Psychology Today. 29 Sept 2003.Beers, Mark and Robert Berkow. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 17th ed. West Point Merck, 1999.Lawson, Willow. The Obesity Depression Link. Psychology Today. 27 May 2003.Raman, Rita. Obesity and Heatlh Risks. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 21 (2002).Shortt, Janet. Obesity A Public Dilemma. AORN Journal. Dec 2004.Smeltzer, Suzanne and Brenda Bare. Brunner & Suddarths Textbook of Medical Surgical Nursing. 10th ed. Philadelphia Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.