Treatments for cultural obesity

Obesity is growing quickly and it’s a problem of all social or racial groups, despite races, genders, and ages. Researches confirm the prevalence of overweight people among Hispanics and African Americans in the U.S. (Brownell, 2007). Besides it, experts specifically indicate that about 78% of African American women can be considered as overweight.

Poverty and belonging to certain social class are also a factors that influence obesity. A number of diseases and overweight problems usually accompany the poorest people’s life. (Brown P, n.d.). Food can be named as a major issue in the problem of obesity as well. Poor population has a limited access to healthy food and more exposed by high-calorie, high-fat food that lead to overweight. Nowadays people are encouraged to buy snacks and sugared drinks and they pay less attention to more expensive healthy food.

The major cultural problem regarding obesity is the treatment in the first place. Unfortunately, often these people are treated really bad and suffer from bullying. Popular culture usually shows them in a negative way in movies, books, etc. A change of behavior patterns is one of the effective therapy options in curing obesity.

Low calorie food consumption, smaller portions intake and regular exercises are the key forces that will have a great impact on the obesity therapy result. (Luthern, n.d.)
The rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity suggests that psychological and behavioral factors rather that biological factors, are primarily responsible for the trend of obesity. All health issues, including obesity, should be embraced by clinical psychology. Clinical psychology has to focus on obtaining a broader vision of health that includes some mental issues concerning obesity problem as well. It is particularly important to educate youths about more effective weight-control strategies.



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