Body Mass Index - Research Paper Example

Body Mass Index The body mass index (BMI) is a measure that is used to calculate an individual’s physique based on their height and weight in kilograms or pounds. BMI is calculated by dividing the mass of an individual by the square of their height, and it is denoted by a standard unit of Kg/. BMI is used to determine the suitability of person’s weight to their height. In healthcare, BMI is used to determine a person’s health status with relation to their general health. BMI values range from 18.

5 to 25 for a healthy individual, and those that fall below 18.5 are deemed underweight while that above 25 indicates an overweight person. A BMI value that is above 30 suggests that a person is obese (Brownell & Puhl, 2005). Obesity has been identified as a major cause for concern with respect to discrimination, which has been observed in various aspects of people’s everyday life. This paper seeks to highlight and discuss instances in people’s lives, which are affected by discrimination based on obesity.

Various research studies that have been conducted to investigate whether bias against obese individuals led to discrimination in various aspects of people’s everyday life. Findings from research studies have established that there exists a stereotype against obese people, in society. This stereotype is based on the negative attributes that have been pegged on their characters and appearance. One such research study was able to establish that there existed discrimination in the work place, especially when it came to hiring, promotion and remuneration (Brownell & Puhl, 2005).

The findings from this research illustrated that there was bias, which evolved to discrimination of obese individuals in all aspects of employment and workplace practice. Obese people have been found to experience discrimination in the health care sector where doctors have prejudice over obese patients. This discrimination and negative stereotyping has led to a decline in the quality of health care that obese individuals receive (Brownell & Puhl, 2005). Obese people have also been found to experience discrimination in the education system from its early establishment through to college.

This has been blamed for the rising cases of suicides perpetrated by school going children. Discrimination based on obesity has been increasing over the years that it has been leveled with racial discrimination (Brownell & Puhl, 2005). Discrimination based on obesity has been identified as an increasing threat to the wellbeing of the society, but at the same time, it has been projected to decline. This decline is attributed to the ever increasing number of obese individuals in society, which will increase awareness on obesity discrimination.

Discrimination of any kind is detrimental to the interests of society and should be eradicated to advance the interests of the society.ReferenceBrownell, K. D. & Puhl, R. M. (2005). Weight Bias: Nature, Consequences, and Remedies. New York: Guilford Press.