Article number seven
Childhood obesity: Issues of weight bias
Summary of the article. This article highlights the emotional trauma that children face if they are overweight. The emotional toll is just as detrimental for a child’s health as the extra pounds. Children are often teased by other children because of their weight. Studies have found that doctors do not like to care for the obese. Teachers do not expect as much academically from obese students because they view them as lazy. It is important to reduce the obesity rate but not to harm the child’s spirit.
How does the story relate to oppression/discrimination? This story highlights the negative consequences children face if they are overweight. These children not only face oppression from their peers but research shows they are also teased by their parents and other family. This leads the obese or overweight child to develop low self-esteem and depression.
Who is oppressed? The overweight children of America are being made to feel like they do not count.
Who is oppressing? Everyone is guilty of oppressing and discriminating against these children. Parents, family, friends, educators, and healthcare professionals are all guilty.
How are they oppressed? What type of oppression/discrimination is involved? These children are told that because they are fat that they do not matter. They are made to feel like something is wrong with them. They are told that because they are overweight you must eat this or not eat that. They have a stigma place on them that no one should waste time on them. They are faced with teasing that leads to problems that will follow them into adulthood.
Explore the significance in our society? What are the implications for this oppression? What does this say about the values of our society? Our society puts too much emphasis on weight. It is difficult for these children to live in a skinny world. Society says that skinny is attractive and smart. Our society says that if you are overweight then something is wrong with you and you must change. Our society is negative and we need to show love to these children so they become productive adults.
What was my personal reaction? Explore thoroughly. What aspects of my own socialization have led me to this reaction? Children are mean to each other was my first reaction. In reality it is not just other children, it is adults too that discriminates against these children. I struggle with how to help a child lose weight and not make them feel like there is something wrong with them in the process. I need to make sure I am approaching them in a way that encourages them to make changes on their own and that I am not making them feel pressured to change.
What did I learn? I learned that this discrimination is everywhere. I was surprised that parents of obese children tease and make fun of their own children. This is heartbreaking. Who do these children go to for support if their family is hurting them? I was also surprised to learn that teachers also discriminate against these children. I also learned that white girls were effected more by being teased by family and friends than other ethnic groups.
Source:
Washington, R. L. (2011). Childhood obesity: Issues of weight bias. Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(5), A94.
Childhood obesity: Issues of weight bias
Summary of the article. This article highlights the emotional trauma that children face if they are overweight. The emotional toll is just as detrimental for a child’s health as the extra pounds. Children are often teased by other children because of their weight. Studies have found that doctors do not like to care for the obese. Teachers do not expect as much academically from obese students because they view them as lazy. It is important to reduce the obesity rate but not to harm the child’s spirit.
How does the story relate to oppression/discrimination? This story highlights the negative consequences children face if they are overweight. These children not only face oppression from their peers but research shows they are also teased by their parents and other family. This leads the obese or overweight child to develop low self-esteem and depression.
Who is oppressed? The overweight children of America are being made to feel like they do not count.
Who is oppressing? Everyone is guilty of oppressing and discriminating against these children. Parents, family, friends, educators, and healthcare professionals are all guilty.
How are they oppressed? What type of oppression/discrimination is involved? These children are told that because they are fat that they do not matter. They are made to feel like something is wrong with them. They are told that because they are overweight you must eat this or not eat that. They have a stigma place on them that no one should waste time on them. They are faced with teasing that leads to problems that will follow them into adulthood.
Explore the significance in our society? What are the implications for this oppression? What does this say about the values of our society? Our society puts too much emphasis on weight. It is difficult for these children to live in a skinny world. Society says that skinny is attractive and smart. Our society says that if you are overweight then something is wrong with you and you must change. Our society is negative and we need to show love to these children so they become productive adults.
What was my personal reaction? Explore thoroughly. What aspects of my own socialization have led me to this reaction? Children are mean to each other was my first reaction. In reality it is not just other children, it is adults too that discriminates against these children. I struggle with how to help a child lose weight and not make them feel like there is something wrong with them in the process. I need to make sure I am approaching them in a way that encourages them to make changes on their own and that I am not making them feel pressured to change.
What did I learn? I learned that this discrimination is everywhere. I was surprised that parents of obese children tease and make fun of their own children. This is heartbreaking. Who do these children go to for support if their family is hurting them? I was also surprised to learn that teachers also discriminate against these children. I also learned that white girls were effected more by being teased by family and friends than other ethnic groups.
Source:
Washington, R. L. (2011). Childhood obesity: Issues of weight bias. Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(5), A94.