Weight and racial prejudices found to be equally common

William Atkins
Friday, 28 March 2008 20:35

Science - Health

An informative and interesting study made by a high school senior describes obesity discrimination.

The study states, “Most people do not realize how prejudicially damaging they behave, particularly towards the obese. Their discrimination has bean deemed, unconsciously perhaps, so acceptable by society.”

The study, “Obesity: The Last Bastion of Prejudice" was performed by Sahale A. Flanagan, with support from the Oregon Center for Bariatric Surgery (Eugene, Oregon).

Another important article on obesity and its causes, from Rockefeller University, is contained in “Obesity not a personal failing, says leptin discoverer Jeffrey Friedman, but a battle against biology ”

In the article, Dr. Friedman states: "in general, environmental factors account for trends in a population over time, while genetic factors account for most of the differences in weight among individuals in present time …. While answers are beginning to emerge as to why so many of us are obese, there can be no meaningful discussion on this subject until we resist the impulse to assign blame.”

He adds: "Nor can we hold to the simple belief that with willpower alone, one can consciously resist the allure of food and precisely control one's weight ….. Instead, we must look at the facts dispassionately and uninfluenced by the numerous competing interests that drive debate on this subject."