The Sociological Imagination on Obesity

The Sociological Imagination on Obesity

The Sociological Imagination on Obesity

Throughout the last decade, obesity rates have been on the rise in the United States according to Randall’s Wall Street Journal article “Ranking States By Obesity”. It is only natural to wonder and question the true cause of these statistics since obesity promotes both medical complications and medical expenses for an individual. Since not one person views the world in the same exact way, each individual has differing perspectives. As a result, people will blame different factors depending on their reactions on the issue. Those lacking a sociological perspective might react to obesity on an individualistic and one-sided perspective. For example, they might view obesity purely as a personal problem and a consequence of poor healthy food selections. This outlook could be drawn simply by the fact that the asserter was never obese, or by stereotypical views on obese people. Another alternative reaction might be that society as a whole is completely at fault for influencing obesity. Someone who has cynical views on modern society and fast food chains might bring up this argument. Consequently, neither reaction captivates the full picture and leaves several factors untouched as a result. People with a strong sociological perspective, however, would analyze the issue by breaking away from their own personal viewpoint. Not only would they consider the two-way interplay of society affecting the individual and individual affecting society, but also the effects and influences of every intermediate sociological level. In other words, the influences of families, groups, and communities on obesity would greatly enhance the understanding of what exactly is at fault. A person with a sociological imagination will realize that there is not just one factor to blame for obesity, but instead several intertwined elements from the micro individual self all the way up to the macro level nation wide influences.
As mentioned by Professor...

Similar Essays