The Obesity Complex

Americans are struggling with their weight. People like to poke fun at others struggling with obesity, without regard of their feelings. Employers tend to scorn those overweight individuals, as well. Once again, it is a fear factor. The fear of increased healthcare costs. We have to face facts, popular media sources strike directly at our subconscious minds. This is what is sexy, this is how you should look and what you should look for in a mate. Could this possibly account for divorce rates in America?

There are obvious misconceptions about obese people.
1)Not all obese people are constantly eating junk food.
2)Not all obese people are lazy.
3)Obese people are all unhealthy.

Some people are naturally overweight, so it is not fair that they are stereotyped. It happens all the time and each time they find themselves falling into a deep depression. Airlines are charging overweight people for two seats, amusement parks have a weight capacity and often will not allow overweight people on certain rides, and look at all the news reports flooding the air waves. There is nothing funny about being overweight nor should anyone have the right to judge someone by their appearance. Facts are facts, people judge one another all the time. Unfortunately, these are getting out of hand.

I, for one, am tired of seeing advertisements blasting smokers and overweight individuals. They are aware of the risks; they do not need us constantly force feeding us with this information. These times are trying enough, as it is. This new health conscious way of thinking is taking a serious toll on the rights and freedoms of everyone within our nation. To me, the real problem is the rising costs of health care. Why do you think this is? Turn on your television and you get a first hand glimpse at an overdeveloping situation.

Look at what runs across our television screens. People griping about smokers, people getting make overs, people complaining about obesity, doctors promoting new healthy techniques to improve our lives, and the list goes on and on. People are so concerned with their appearances that they have to burden others with their concerns. It absolutely drives me bonkers.

By the way, our lifestyles are much healthier than they used to be. We are so concerned with these dilemmas we often forget these will lead to other complications. If we are living longer, then we are going to end up needing more, in terms of social security and medicare. The increase in life spans is definitely contributing to an increase in healthcare expenditures. The way I see it, we are in a no win situation here.

Another thing to remember is that these doctors providing new treatments and increased technologies are not necessarily promoting themselves purely for the healthy value. These men and women are, after all, monetarily motivated. The hottest products on the market are actually health related items. Vitamins, weight loss programs, tobacco free programs, diet control pills, youth serums, and a variety of other beauty supply products. Women are their targets and any magazine rack will prove it.

Weight is an issue that everyone can associate with, whether we are overweight now or are concerned about where our weight is heading with age. I am not sure if there is a right or wrong answer to this problem, because I do agree obesity is dangerous. Obesity leads to all kinds of problems. Heart disease, diabetes, organ failure, sleep apnea, once again, this list goes on. I just feel we need to be more understanding toward people suffering through obesity. We cannot continue damaging their psyche.