Preview

Obesity-Related Discrimination In The Workplace

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
222 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Obesity-Related Discrimination In The Workplace
Obesity has developed into an endemic public health issue with approximately 500 million people worldwide and more than two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese (Hammond & Levine, 2010, p. 285). Research from Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity reported that weight discrimination increased sixty-six percent from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s and obesity discrimination is currently more prevalent than prejudice based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, and physical disability (Kauffman, 2016, p. 1). Correlated obesity-related discrimination in the workplace is rarely acknowledged, and if recognized, is both tolerated and validated by employers and co-workers alike. In a society that devalues overweight people’s human
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Appearance and Weight Issues in the Workplace
    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Appearance and Weight Issues in the Workplace

    1. What are the pros and cons of an airline implementing a policy that larger customers need to buy a second seat? The pros of an airline implementing a policy that larger customers need to buy a second seat is that the weight capacity regulations will be adhered to. I don’t know of a lot of pros of an airline implementing a policy that larger customers need to buy a second seat. The cons of an airline implementing a policy that larger customers need to buy a second seat would result in a population of travelling customers not using that airlines, airlines would be frowned on by family members of larger customers, airline policies would be actively monitored for discriminatory actions against overweight persons. 2. What can employers do to counteract the high cost of employees who are obese? Employers can counteract the high cost of employees who are obese by researching lower costing medical benefits, provide a healthy menu in company cafeteria, sponsor workshops on obesity and its health effects, proactive provide employee benefits of gym memberships. 3. Should television networks and stations set appearance and weight standards for news reporters, newscasters, weather forecasters, etc? Why or why not? Should these standards be different for male and female. Yes. Television networks and stations should set appearance and weight standards for news reporters, newscasters, weather forecaster. Our society look at the news and weather to see not only the news and weather but the persons performing…

    • 324 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Who Says Americans Are Fat Analysis
    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Who Says Americans Are Fat Analysis

    In Amanda Spake’s article, “Rethinking Weight”, and Daniel Heimpel’s article “Who Says Americans are Fat?”, the authors discuss underlying issues concerning weight, analyzing the the risks of obesity. They go beyond these risks to examine society’s perception of what is and isn’t obese to discuss where these problems begin and how we should go about ending them. Using facts and large amounts of data, these authors covey their positions in a logical and empirical manner, while at times weaving in their own opinions to persuade readers one way to the other. Although “Rethinking Weight” by Amanda Spake seems to share similar concerns and ideas with “Who Says Americans are Fat?” by Daniel Heimpel, there are significant differences…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Vermont Fights Obesity
    • 1783 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Vermont Fights Obesity

    In the last 20 years, there has been a substantial increase in obesity in the United States and the rates continue to remain significantly high. More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) and approximately 17% of children are considered obese (Overweight). According to WebMD a person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20% or more above normal weight. The most common consequences of obesity are the health risks associated with it such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but there are also social and psychological problems that result from it as well. These social and psychological problems caused by obesity might be even more detrimental to a person than the physical effects associated with it. The levels of stigma rise along with weight, and affect both people's working and social lives. Fifty-two percent of people who fell into the obese or morbidly obese categories believe they have been discriminated against when applying for a job or promotion and about two-fifths of them said they have been socially shunned. In addition, 36 percent said they felt they had been discriminated against when being seated in theaters or restaurants (Gardner). “The reaction of Americans to a fat person, particularly one who is more than 25 percent to 35 percent above the so-called ideal weight, is so intense and so overwhelmingly negative that some scientists are exploring it as a window on the raw material of human nature” (Angier). As the obesity rates in the United States continue to grow, so does the discrimination against this community. More states are becoming aware of this issue and realizing the affect it has on their communities. Vermont in particular is very aware of the negative effects of obesity. Vermont officials have put into place numerous programs to promote good health and exercise to try and eliminate the rise of childhood and adult obesity. Rather than…

    • 1783 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Obesity Capstone
    • 436 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Obesity Capstone

    Obesity has been identified in the 21st Century as one of the most serious health epidemics. Being obese is also one of the most preventable diseases today. Several factors contribute to a person becoming overweight: lack of exercise, excessive caloric intake, and genetic heredity. Personally, all three factors contributed to my disease. Overcoming obesity has been one of the greatest learning experiences that I have encountered. During my five year journey to a healthier lifestyle, I have recently been called to bring justice to this socially debilitating crisis. Passionately, I feel compelled to assist others in the same predicament that once ran my life. The effects on your health, personality, and behaviors are incredibly different when comparing and obese individual from one who is of a healthy weight. Another component identified through this journey, is the oppression that occurs and is felt by obese people. Oppression is a consequence of discrimination. Acceptance in society is challenging for an obese person, buying clothes that fit is hard, and fitting in an airplane seat is excruciating. I am compelled to stand up to these types of oppression and bring justice to it.…

    • 436 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis
    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Rhetorical Analysis

    During the recent decades, there has been a growing debate over what role that businesses should play when it comes to the increasing obesity levels in the United States of America. The prevalence of obesity has been on the rise in America for several decades now. Most people have attributed the increase of obesity to two reasons: people are consuming high-fat and high-calories foods, and people are consuming a greater number of calories than they are burning off. Kathleen Seiders and Leonard Berry are business professors at Boston College and Texas A&M University, respectively. In December 2007, they published the article in the MIT Sloan Management Review titled, “Should Business Care About Obesity?”. The intended audience of this article includes business leaders, company executives, and entrepreneurs, all of whom the authors are attempting to persuade. In the article, Seiders and Berry argue that business leaders should seek to lessen obesity rates in America. Businesses should be…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Fat Stigma
    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Fat Stigma

    According to Jeffrey Hunger, “people assume there is a direct relationship between how much people weigh and their psychological health.” People that are overweight are more likely to report problems with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. However, majority of the time it’s due to the individual experiencing weight-based discrimination. Also, when individuals face discrimination because of their weight, they tend to avoid exercising in the public and going for doctor appointments. For example, Mr. Hunger stated, “we know that obese and overweight people have an increased motivation to avoid exercising in public.”…

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dont Blame The Eater Obesity
    • 1161 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Dont Blame The Eater Obesity

    Obesity is often discussed as a growing concern in America and risen from an area of concern to an epidemic in a short period of time. As obesity rates continue to climb, so does advice for how to manage it. Today I will bring to light some of that advice offered from two articles that provide wisdom towards handling obesity: Don’t Blame the Eater by David Zinczenko and What You Eat Is Your Business by Radley Balko. While both articles discuss logical view points, I will point out Balko’s rationale for making his point more effective than Zinczenko’s.…

    • 1161 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Obesity Discrimination Final Paper In APA
    • 1835 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Obesity Discrimination Final Paper In APA

    There are many forms of discrimination found in the workplace. One form of discrimination that is not as often discussed or highlighted is “obesity”. This is a form of discrimination that is also known as “sizeism”. This discrimination seems to have been passing under the radar, but it is on the rise in recent studies. Obesity discrimination is becoming as frequent as racial, ethnical, religious, and sexual orientation discrimination. Is obesity discrimination affecting the work place negatively or positively? I guess the answer depends on if you are an employer or employee. I have had a personal experience, with a superior that I feel was extremely forward with his obesity prejudice. There are only a few legitimate medical reasons for obesity. Obesity can also be a side effect of certain medical conditions. Obesity is normally based on a medical chart or graph that represents your Body Mass Index or BMI. Most medical charts are laid out according to your height and weight. Commonly, people dealing with obesity are labeled as undisciplined and lazy. There are very few laws that cover obesity discrimination at this time. I think that obesity will continue being a growing problem in terms of discrimination and health.…

    • 1835 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    OBESITY
    • 363 Words
    • 1 Page

    OBESITY

    In the article “Battling Obesity: Where do we go from here?” Joanna Pinkley claims that obesity has made diseases and complications grow widespread, as our nation, have become heavier (Pinkley 1). It has brought shorter life spans and higher medical costs. She also informed us about how the Mayor of New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, attempted to put a legislation limiting the size of sugary drinks sold to New York residents at local establishments. Pinkley argued that, “ In the minds of many opponents, this type of legislation seems to cross the boundary of what government should – and should not – be allowed to control (Pinkley 2). She insists that one approach towards obesity will not solve the problem for everyone nor will it start to reverse obesity on a greater scale. For example, many education programs and food labeling provide customers with health information, but not enough specific enough to tell them to do anything. Also, funding for bike lanes and other exercise facilities provide a place to workout but don’t force anyone to actually move a muscle (Pinkley 3). She says that the idea that strict reliance on personal responsibility has not done anything to change obesity’s progression in a positive way, shows that additional action is surely needed. “The greatest trend reversal is likely to occur when individuals, communities and government all dedicate resources toward well-analyzed, meaningful and varied solution,” Joanna Pinkley (Pinkley 6). The author’s purpose was to inform us on how the obesity epidemic has taken a toll on many individuals and affected the society as a whole. Joanna Pinkley’s work is important because she reported how obesity has affected us, how some organizations and government leaders have worked toward helping reverse obesity’s trend. Lastly what it might take for our generation and future to help find solutions toward obesity! People should care because s obesity has grown it has not only…

    • 363 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Research Paper On Alaska
    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Research Paper On Alaska

    Alaska is so cold that one would need a fire breathing dragon just to warm one up. Alaska makes it difficult to explore and settle because one would have to walk on foot, climb steep, slippery mountains, and cold temperature and constant snow. It is so hard to travel because the snow is so deep and it snows a lot.…

    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Socioeconomic Status Paper
    • 1628 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Socioeconomic Status Paper

    Obesity is not racist or biased; it will affect all individuals when given the opportunity. However obesity does seem to give preferential treatment to those of low SES. The predominate reasons for the increased prevalence in areas of low SES is lack of education, availability of healthy food choices, and cost and preparation time for healthy meals. There are many programs and policies that have been implemented to decrease to rate of obesity including legislative, state, and local policy and programs. The treatment for obesity is first and foremost prevention; if prevention has failed the next action is diet and activity modification as well as medical intervention. The problem of obesity confronts many actual and potential ethical dilemmas. As care providers we must ensure that we are caring for patients ethically and respectfully. The cost of obesity is wide stretch from the monetary cost of providing specialized care to the emotional impacts that obesity has on the individual. Obesity is a global problem but communities of low SES are the hardest hit. We must unite to battle this epidemic with an emphasis on aiding the low SES communities.…

    • 1628 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Essay 3 Final Draft
    • 2301 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Essay 3 Final Draft

    Walk into any all you can eat restaurant and look around. There are servers busy waiting tables and clearing dishes. There are diners eating and chatting. The smell of cooking food lingers in the air, steam rises from the hot food tables and the chocolate cake on the dessert bar is looking quite tempting. Look a little harder though, particularly at the diners sitting at the tables. Are they looking a little overweight to you? How about the customers just walking through the door behind you, do they look like they could afford to miss a meal? The answer is probably a resounding yes. There are a staggering number of people severely overweight. In America obesity is fast becoming an epidemic, second only to smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control one-third of adults in the United States are obese and another third are overweight (Freedman, 2011, para. 1). The effects of the nation’s obesity epidemic are immense: taxpayers, businesses, communities, and individuals have spent hundreds of billions of dollars each year because of obesity. This includes an estimated $168 billion in medical costs (CDC). Obesity is the reason that the current generation of youth is predicted to live a shorter life than their parents.…

    • 2301 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Obesity Discourse
    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Obesity Discourse

    Obesity has clear health consequences for children and adolescents as evidenced by increased rates of Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes and cardiovascular disease within this population (Liese, Ma, Maahs, & Trilk, 2012)—see Brownell, Schwartz, Puhl, Henderson, & Harris (2009) for a thorough public health perspective on preventing adolescent obesity. Weight stigma also has consequences related to school bullying, identity development, self-esteem, body image, and romantic relationships (Boyes & Latner, 2007; Hong & Espelage, 2012; Puhl & Heuer,…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Current Events: Obesity
    • 4873 Words
    • 20 Pages

    Current Events: Obesity

    Americans are well aware of the fact that the United States has one of the world’s highest rates of obesity and that the country has gained the worldwide stereotype of being overweight. This all pertains to the term that has been a coined phrase within American society for the past few years—the American obesity epidemic. Despite the widespread knowledge that being obese or overweight can negatively affect one’s health, America’s rates of obesity continue to climb. In addition, there are many Americans who claim that obesity is simply a controllable factor and that there is reason to refer to the obese population as an epidemic. They claim, in fact, that there is no such thing as an obesity epidemic; and that America’s large percentage of people who are overweight is nothing to panic over or to consider as a dangerous plague. The fact is, however, obesity is quite a serious issue. Most recently in current events, it was stated that obesity has now surpassed smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States of America. The smoking epidemic gained a great deal of publicity, leading to protest groups and awareness groups that all aimed to educate Americans about the health hazards associated with smoking; but now that obesity kills more people annually than smoking, it is clear that there is absolutely an obesity epidemic taking place within the United States and that is must be addressed, taken seriously, and combated through further education about health, fitness, and nutrition.…

    • 4873 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Argumentative Essay On Health And Social Care
    • 1180 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Argumentative Essay On Health And Social Care

    The dilemma lies in the fact that unfortunately, much of the U.S. population is obese. According to the 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, “More than 2 in 3 adults are considered to be overweight or obese.” This is our America… an unhealthy one. What’s worse, is that our future doesn’t appear to be very promising, either. According to the same Nutrition Examination, “About one-third of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be overweight or obese.” What’s the impact of obesity? A study was run by Virginia Tech and the University of Buffalo, examining how individuals with various weights complete different work tasks. The results concluded that obese workers had a forty percent shorter endurance time than healthier workers. You see, obesity is a tragic epidemic that is taking over the future of American workers. Employers who implement wellness programs or higher insurance premiums are not doing so out of discrimination… they are doing so because they want the overall public to possess a brighter future and a favorable quality of life. As William Pollard once stated: “Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is…

    • 1180 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics