Environmental and sociological factors contributing to the rise in childhood obesity in the UK - Essay Example

Childhood Obesity in the U.K. Introduction: The incidence of obesity among children in the U.K. is on the rise. Recent figures released in April 2006 reveal that among the 11 to 15 age groups, 27.6% of the girls and 24.2% of the boys qualified as obese, which is an overall increase of 10% since 1995; among children in the age groups of 2 to 10, 12.8% of the girls and 15.9% of the boys ranked as obese, which also is an overall increase as compared to 1995 (Annonymous, 2007). Obesity in childhood is linked to severe health consequences and according to Colin Waine, the Chairman of the National Obesity Forum, the figures from the survey indicated that “a public time bomb” was ticking. Childhood in obesity is often a causal factor in death before 50 years of age, apart from leading to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension. It is significant to note that obesity levels have been rising in the recent past, as compared to ten years ago. Moreover, it is not an isolated phenomenon affecting only a marginal section of children; rather almost 1/10th to 1/3rd of children are now obese. This suggests that there may be environmental and sociological factors contributing to the rise in obesity. This study therefore, proposes to examine the problem of obesity through the application of two sociological theories (a) feminist theory and (b) Foucaldian theory. Analysis: Feminist sociological theories are defined as those which are characterized by the following aspects: (a) gender is a central focus or subject matter (b) gender relations are seen to be a problem and linked to social inequities and strains (c) gender relations are not viewed as immutable and (d) the theory is used to challenge a status quo that disadvantages women.” (Chafetz, 1988:5). The Feminist movement was born when Betty Friedan set out on her crusade to convince women that they were not obligated to accepted a male oriented view of gender inequality. In 1963, her book “The Feminine Mystique” portrayed the traditional female role as home maker as a stifling one and emphasized the inequities women were expected to suffer as a matter of course, which often led to dissatisfaction, with the lack of independence also contributing to a disordered emotional state. Catherine McKinnon contended that certain powerful groups are the only ones with the right to free speech and whose voices are heard, over and above the women and minority groups who have “been silenced by their powerlessness.” (McKinnon, 1993: 77-78). This has led to the adopting of a discriminatory and demeaning attitude towards women which is characteristic in society and which has an adverse impact on them. In the context of childhood obesity, it is significant to note that while the below 10 year olds reflect a larger percentage of male obese children, this ratio changes when the children move into puberty and the percentage of obese girls is higher than the obese boys. Garfinkel and Garner(1982) in a discussion on eating disorders such as anorexia, have pointed out that the fact that one sex is predisposed to a particular kind of eating condition indicates that socio cultural factors may play a role in determining who is prone to it. Before puberty there may be no significant differences between males and females in terms of eating habits. Boys and girls are more or less alike in so far as their physical appearance is concerned, however with the onset of puberty, girls begin to develop more rapidly and this occurs about two years before boys start displaying the signs of puberty. As a result, girls may perceive themselves to be bigger and bulkier than the boys. Images in the media also tend to promote the lean, skinny look, however for young girls who are unable to imitate those standards, this may induce conditions of anxiety and unhappiness about their body image, which leads to depression. Stuart and Laraia have related the use of food to stress and the unmet emotional needs of a person. They state that "the inability to regulate eating habits and the frequent tendency to overuse or under use food interferes with biological, psychological, and sociocultural integrity" (Stuart and Laraia, 2001:526-527). For the growing adolescent, the biological changes taking place within her body lead to a feeling of loss of control and may cause feelings of helplessness or anxiety, thereby resulting in a tendency to try and overcome those feelings of anxiety by allowing food to satisfy their emotional needs. Her feelings of inadequacy about her own body image as compared to the glamorous models on TV may further contribute to depression and unmet emotional needs, resulting in an inability to regulate eating habits. Orbach (1979) points out that the most common approach adopted under the feminist theory is the conflict that arises between the traditional, submissive female role that has been defined for generations and the more modern role of the liberated woman. There is a greater deal of pressure on the modern woman because she is expected to cope with her responsibilities and take care of others while at the same time, she is also expected to take control of her own life and become more competitive with others. As a result, a growing adolescent may perceive herself as inadequate to cope with this challenge and this may exacerbate feelings of emotional inadequacy, helplessness and depression, and the young adolescent girl will try to comfort herself with food. Traditionally, women have been relegated to a submissive, emotional role as opposed to males who are taught to be physically active and aggressive. The kinds of games girls play tend to be the indoor variety, while boys are active in rugby and football, etc. The lower levels of physical activity among girls due to the different societal expectations from them may also be a contributing factor in leading to obesity. The sociological theory of symbolic interactionism was coined by Herbert Blumer, with three main features underlying its premise: (a) The behavior of human being towards things is conditioned by the meaning that they ascribe to those things (b) The meaning that individuals ascribe to things arises out of the social interaction that he or she has with society and (c) The meanings attached to those things are taken in by the individual and modified through an internal interpretative process.(Blumer, 1969). On this basis therefore, individuals do not simply react to each other as they interact; rather their responses are conditioned by the manner in which they interpret the words and actions of others. Symbolic interactionism is therefore a theory that focuses on the impact of the social environment upon an individual based upon the manner in which the individual constructs reality based upon his or her interactions with others. There is a process of self monitoring that goes on continuously within an individual and it is this factor that regulates the sensitivity of an individual and his or her willingness to change or modify behavior in accordance with societal norms and the desired presentation of the self.(Mahoney, Madrigal and Howard, 1999). Individuals do not passively accept a given identity, rather they develop their own identities through a life long process; once and individual has determined which aspect of his or life is to be the salient one, he or she will seek ways of expressing it.(Schneck and Holman, 1980) According to a BBC Report (2001) on studies that have been carried out on U.K. children and their eating habits, there has been a startling increase in the percentage of obese children in the last two decades, despite the improvement in nutritional quality of their diets. There has not been an increase in energy intake, rather there has been a decrease in energy output and children are not exercising as much as they should, which is a direct cause of rising levels in obesity. In the UK, social and environmental factors may be direct contributing factors to childhood obesity. For instance, lifestyles of parents in the UK are changing, with longer working hours and rising incomes. More mothers are working, leading to an increasing reliance by children on convenience foods which may be high in fat and low in nutritive value.(Ofcam report). Children enjoy high fat, high salt foods such as chips, pizza and carbonated beverages and schools also tend to supply such foods because those are the foods that the children will buy and eat. Besides, such foods are well advertised on the television. Lifestyles of children are also becoming more sedentary as a result of additional TV viewing and in the case of obese families, the child’s obesity is accepted and viewed as normal, rather than being viewed as a matter of concern.(Ofcam report). Applying symbolic interactionism to the question of childhood obesity, the perception of self which the obese child has of himself or herself as normal may be conditioned by the families within which they grow, where their obesity is not viewed as an issue of concern. The popularity of advertisements on TV and their influence on children may be another factor that does not encourage the child to consider his or her health. To a child who views such advertisements, the internal interpretation process that takes place may favor an increase in eating high fat high salt foods like pizza, chips and cola, instead of choosing healthy alternatives like fruits and vegetables. Since TV is also viewed as an attractive pastime, especially with mothers being absent from the home, the levels of exercise of the children is reducing and contributing to a rise in obesity. If the rising obesity trends are to be reversed, such unhealthy habits as TV viewing and eating high fat, high salt foods needs to be cut down. The current status of interaction that children have with their eating habits is largely conditioned by the modern lifestyle changes in the UK. Mothers are substituting high fat, high salt foods because they are more convenient and children do not need to be coaxed for ages to eat them. The advertisement of such foods on Television also contributes to the favorable interpretation of such eating habits in the children’s minds. As also revealed in the Ofcam report, while schools are teaching children about healthy eating habits, limited financial resources have restricted the choices in availability of foods and schools also offer high fat high salt foods because they are the foods children will buy and eat. This process of interaction needs to change if the trend is to be reversed. The child’s perception of himself or herself must be change to tap into the self monitoring process that goes on within an individual. Children must be made sharply aware of the dangers of their food choices, however when factors in the social environment such as parents and schools are pushing these foods upon children due to issues of financial and time convenience, this process of self regulation cannot be triggered. Conclusion: On the basis of the above, feminist theory would appear to suggest that it is gender that conditions the emotional state of the female, making her more prone to obesity, especially as she reaches puberty. The causes of obesity by applying this theory is largely centered around the emotional insecurities that are generated in females due to their societal roles and their feelings of inadequacy. However, the theory of symbolic interactionism suggests that the recent trends in rising obesity among children are largely caused by the changing nature of their interactions with the environment. Changing lifestyles, an added emphasis on convenience and the influence of television are factors which are contributing to the attachment of children to high fat foods. References: * Annonymous, 2007. “Rising levels of childhood obesity a ‘public health time bomb’? Health and Hygiene, 28(1): * Blumer, Herbert, 1969. “Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and method”, Berkeley: University of California Press. * BBC Report, 2001. “Childhood obesity soars in the UK”, Retrieved October 27, 2007 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1101139.stm * Chafetz, J.S., 1988. “Feminist Sociology: An overview of contemporary theories”, IL: Peacock * Friedan, Betty, 1963. “The Feminine Mystique”, W.W. Norton and Company * Garfinkel, P.E and Garner, D.M., 1982. “Anorexia nervosa: a multi dimensional perspective” New York: Brunner/Mazel. * MacKinnon, Catherine, 1993. “Only Words”, MA: Harvard University Press * Mahony, D. F., Madrigal, R., & Howard, D. R, 1999. “The effect of individual levels of self-monitoring on loyalty to professional football teams”, International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 1:146-167. * Ofcam report. Prepared by the Henley Centre. Summarized findings retrieved October 26, 2007 from: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/tv/reports/food_ads/#34 * Orbach, S, 1989. “Fat is a feminist issue” London: Hamlyn * Schenk, C. T. & Holman, R. H., 1980. “A sociological approach to brand choice: The concept of situational self image”, Advances in consumer research, 7:610-614. * Stuart, G. W., & Laraia, M. T. (2001). “Principles and Practices of Psychiatric Nursing”. Missouri: Mosby, Inc. Read More