SOC 203 Week 1 Discussion



SOC 203 Week 1 Discussion

1. Obesity

Obesity as a Social Problem

Obesity is a social problem because the causes and effects of this problem are undeniably social in nature. They influence society and take influence from it. As a result, considering obesity to be anything less than a problem of social magnitude can result in an error in the problem's judgment when looking to address/resolve it.

Examples of Individual and Societal Factors Leading to Obesity

Individual factors leading to obesity can be found in the individual preference of food types that promote obesity (Johnston & Harkavy, 2011). Societal factors can be found in the form of increasingly aggressive marketing strategies exercised by unhealthy food type manufacturers on a near-global scale. As access to such food types continues to increase, consumers become increasingly inclined towards their consumption.

Individual and Social Consequences of Doing Nothing to Address this Problem

The individual and societal consequences of doing nothing to address the problem can be expected to be devastating. Considering the scope and magnitude of the problem, any non-seriousness exercised towards the resolution of this problem can jeopardize the future of countless lives.

A Conflict Theorist Perspective of the Problem of Obesity

A conflict theorist perspective of the problem of obesity would be undoubtedly unilateral. In this regard, a conflict theorist can be expected to assert that obesity is an increasingly prevalent problem because there is a lack of equilibrium in the food consumption habits of the modern man (Baker & Saunders, 2012). The conflict theorist would undoubtedly look into the matter with the intention of finding a cause that can explain the increasing consumption of unhealthy food types in the face of complete awareness of the consequences.

A Functionalist Perspective of the Problem of Obesity

A functionalist perspective would be to try and find the precise reasons because of ...