Medical Anthropology relating to obesity!The critical approach of medical anthropology is an approach that focuses on the political aspect of healthcare. That means, medical anthropologist study the way in which health services are allocated based on how wealthy a person is and also the way government policy effects the delivery of health services and health itself. Anthropologists aim to discover hidden causes of diminishing health as they relate to the political aspects of our society. This approach is important when studying illness because through study and other information given about the patient, we can determine if political facets are having an effect on the patient. For instance, when relating it to obesity, health services may only be granted to those with good insurance, but what if the patient has been unemployed for a few years and his wife is a waitress with no insurance? Therefore, the patient probably hasn’t been to the doctors to get check ups on his health.
Today in America, many people understand obesity as a disease. Word spreads fast in today’s era and the thought of being obese is keeping everyone on their toes. Back in the day, people who were overweight and had extra belly fat were actually seen to be very beautiful and normally known to be wealthy because they could afford a lot of food. Doctors were more worried about patients who were thin. However, through research and study, it has come to our attention that obesity is an illness and many health problems can come from being obese. Such problems include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, gall bladder disease, and cancer. There are many factors that influence the way we understand obesity today. First, there is evidence that there is a difference between social classes corresponding with food and nutrient intakes. People higher up in the social ranks are able to afford healthier, more nutrient dense foods, while lower class citizens are at a fight to achieve a balanced diet. More and more Americans are unable to spend much money on food for their families because such high cost, that they end up swinging by a fast food restaurant where they can spend less than $10 on a meal for their family. Additionally, many people are uneducated when it comes to what foods are best for them to consume. The media has a huge influence on what Americans are eating every day. Commercials fill our TV screens with ads for certain branded foods at grocery stores and deals for fast food places. Some people are also influenced by the people around them, whether they are out to eat with a friend or at home. A political aspect that was brought up in the policy realm was the idea of food industries expanding portion sizes to be a toxic food environment that encourages the rising obesity rate. Examples of supersizing America’s food are things like slurpies, and soda sizes, burgers have doubled in size along with adding a few patties to the bun. All taking an effect on the health and influencing obesity today. Obesity has definitely become medicalized in western culture. It is important to acknowledge that it can be argued whether or not obesity is considered a disease. From my own perspective I would say that obesity is not a disease itself; although, it can be the tertiary of disease like heart disease and diabetes, which can end up taking your life. Obesity has become medicalized in ways where tons of people will now go to a plastic surgeon to reduce the fat around their waistline. The procedure of liposuction ends up removing fat in the stomach or whatever area you want fat to be removed from while also making the stomach smaller so the patient will end up eating less after the surgery is done. Moreover, there is a high demand for weigh loss pills to lose weight. These are advertised at people who are obese or who have belly fat and are looking to become a better and healthier person. The way we present ourselves in our society today seems to be very important to everyone. I think because of the media showcasing models and celebrities postpartum looking skinnier than a lot of people, gives everyone this envy and want to look like everyone who is promoted on these media sources. It’s an American way to say that you have to look good to be successful. Thus, medical anthropologist using the critical approach look at all of these influences on obesity to determine what is best for the patient when it comes to treatment and diagnosis. |