Obesity

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that, because obese people share the same marginalization, denial of a sexual identity and social, political and legal impediments that disabled individuals suffer, they should be considered for similar benefits and thus obesity should be listed as a disability by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The paper contends, that, to improve working conditions, healthcare, and overall quality of life for millions of Americans, weight must be added to the list of categories covered in anti-discrimination laws and must be acknowledged as such by society.

From the Paper:

"For this reason, discrimination towards fat people runs rampant in the workplace, education system, and healthcare system. According to NAAFA, weight discrimination was reported by 7 percent of US adults in 1995-96, and almost doubled to 12 percent by 2006. For instance, in 1996, the federal district court in New Hampshire held that a teacher had adequately stated a claim under the ADA when she alleged that she had been fired because of her weight and the evidence reflected student perceptions based on her size that she was less intelligent."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Carrier, William W. "Is Obesity a Disability?" Tydings & Rosenberg LLP, 2000. Findlaw.com. 6 Dec. 2008 <http://library.findlaw.com/2000/Feb/1/128328.html>
• Murray, Samantha. "Corporeal Knowledges and Deviant Bodies: Perceiving the Fat Body." Social Semiotics 17.3 (Sep. 2007): 361-373. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. 6 Dec. 2008 <http://proxygw.wrlc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=25915318&site=ehost-live>.
• Weight Information Control Network. "Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity." Department of Health and Human Services, 2007. 6 Dec. 2008 <http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/>

More papers on Obesity:

• Term Paper # 134234 : "Obesity in America"
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• Analytical Essay # 32063 : "Obesity In Children"
• Term Paper # 129735 : "Public Health and Obesity"

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