The introduction by LeBesco and Braziel was very interesting and brought up a great deal of points about society and its view of obesity. One of the most interesting points brought up in the introduction was that many doctors, nutritionist, and others within the medical and pharmaceutical communities condone the use of synthetic dietary products by obese individuals. These synthetic products could possibly cause side effects that could be very harmful to the consumer in the long run. One example of a synthetic dietary product that the authors discuss is the product Olestra, which is a fat substitute. The authors state that Olestra is shown to "leech the body of other nutrients...believed to help prevent cancer." After googling Olestra, I also found that other side effects of Olestra include loose stools and abdominal cramps. However, the FDA approved Olestra in 2006. Olestra is also used in the making of low-fat potato chips.
The price that many people pay to be thin is quite great. With the introduction of risky weight loss surgeries and "wonder pills", many people are risking their lives to live up to society's standards of beauty and health. It is sad how much focus is placed on the obese and how little focus is placed upon anorexia and other eating disorders. Its as if society says that its okay to starve yourself as long as you are thin.
1 comment:
I think you make some very good points. One thing that really struck me was the comment that so little emphasis is placed on eating disorders. It reminded me of the links on the fashion magazine’s website. There were a myriad of links to a better body, better weight, and exercise tips. The magazine only offered one blurb at the very bottom corner about anorexia. It is ridiculous how much emphasis there is on weight loss, as evident on the site. Weight loss supposedly will lead to a healthier lifestyle. However, eating disorders are unhealthy to the point that they can cause death. Why is not more stress given to this aspect of unhealthy, which ironically, is cause by extreme dieting?
I think a lot of the issues and stress on physical looks goes back to the oppression of women. Society places an overwhelming importance on looks. Many reality shows have to do with extreme makeovers or weight loss. Skinny is in. And because weight is one thing that women can change about their appearance, weight loss is taken to an extreme. This obsession on appearance takes women’s concentrations away from other things that could be more important. This is just another way that women are oppressed. Notice that most men not obsessed with their appearances yet women are expected to be perfect.
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