A discussion of weight-based discrimination and harassment.
Written in 2002; 4,879 words; 20 sources; MLA; $ 124.95
Paper Summary:
This paper looks at how bias against overweight and obese individuals is perhaps the last form of acceptable discrimination. It shows how overweight people are subject to both subtle and blatant forms of discrimination, from childhood to adulthood and how discrimination occurs in family, social and professional situations as well. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to the issue of obesity and discrimination, drawing on diverse literature from fields including psychology, law, pediatrics and economics. The extent of discrimination is explored through a critical survey and integration of current research on the social and professional effects of obesity.
Outline
Introduction
Definition of Terms
Statistics on the Overweight and Obese
Effects of Weight-based Discrimination
Reasons Behind the Discrimination
Advocacy for the Overweight and Obese
Conclusion
From the Paper:
"Roehling (1999) believes that most weight-based discrimination stems from the fact that we "tend to blame overweight people for their condition." Discrimination based on weight is seen as more acceptable because, unlike race or gender, people see bodyweight as a choice, not an immutable characteristic (Roehling 2002). This argument stems from the misconception that obesity is a voluntary condition, that overweight people could lose weight simply if they stopped eating and shored up their willpower (Solovay 2000). However, research has since shown that this is not true, and that obesity is caused by a variety of genetic, psychological, physiological and even environmental factors. These could include a deficiency in leptin hormones and the "thrifty gene." In fact, trying to lose weight is often accompanied by significant health risks (Roehling 2002)."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "Obesity and Discrimination", Essays on "Obesity and Discrimination", Research papers on "Obesity and Discrimination", Student papers on "Obesity and Discrimination", Book reports on "Obesity and Discrimination", Dissertation on "Obesity and Discrimination", Thesis on "Obesity and Discrimination", Summary of paper on "Obesity and Discrimination", Articles written on "Obesity and Discrimination".