Obesity Epidemic In Canada
Since the 1980s, the worldwide obesity rate has more than doubled (World Health Organization, 2015). Today, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children are diagnosed as clinically obese (WHO, 2015). The global trend of obesity is consistent within Canada, with over 20.2 percent of the adult population classified as obese, which translates to 5.3 million individuals (Statistics Canada, 2014). This striking weight increase over time has developed into what is known as an obesity ‘epidemic’. According to the World Health Organization (2015), obesity is defined as ‘abnormal or excess fat accumulation that may impair health.’ It is classified as a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 or falling within the 95th percentile for their age and gender
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First, stigmatized individuals experience discrimination, either blatant or subtle. Second, in order to experience this discrimination, they must be aware that they are devalued in the eyes of others. The third aspect of social stigma is that stigmatized individuals are likely to be aware of the stereotypes that others hold of their social groups. Finally, they may feel uncertainty about the causes of events in their lives. They may be uncertain if negative outcomes come from lack of worthiness or if they are due to discrimination and if positive events come from another person’s sympathy for their stigmatized status or their desire to avoid the effects of discrimination (Crocker, 2000). More specifically, weight stigma is referred to as the ‘negative weight-related attitudes and beliefs that are manifested by stereotypes, rejection and prejudice towards individuals because they are overweight or obese’ (Puhl, Moss-Racusin, Schwartz, & Brownell, 2007, p. 347). Obesity stigma is present in various settings including home life, workplaces, educational institutions, medical institutions, and other social environments (Puhl & Brownell, 2001). Overweight individuals are regarded as less qualified for jobs (Vartanian, Pinkus and Smyth, 2014), which can have detrimental effects on self esteem. Furthermore, obesity stigma is especially pervasive within North American societies and has consequences to one’s
First, stigmatized individuals experience discrimination, either blatant or subtle. Second, in order to experience this discrimination, they must be aware that they are devalued in the eyes of others. The third aspect of social stigma is that stigmatized individuals are likely to be aware of the stereotypes that others hold of their social groups. Finally, they may feel uncertainty about the causes of events in their lives. They may be uncertain if negative outcomes come from lack of worthiness or if they are due to discrimination and if positive events come from another person’s sympathy for their stigmatized status or their desire to avoid the effects of discrimination (Crocker, 2000). More specifically, weight stigma is referred to as the ‘negative weight-related attitudes and beliefs that are manifested by stereotypes, rejection and prejudice towards individuals because they are overweight or obese’ (Puhl, Moss-Racusin, Schwartz, & Brownell, 2007, p. 347). Obesity stigma is present in various settings including home life, workplaces, educational institutions, medical institutions, and other social environments (Puhl & Brownell, 2001). Overweight individuals are regarded as less qualified for jobs (Vartanian, Pinkus and Smyth, 2014), which can have detrimental effects on self esteem. Furthermore, obesity stigma is especially pervasive within North American societies and has consequences to one’s