politics of food 1

Question 1

what is weight bias?

Answer 1

• Negative stereotypes attributing obesity to personal responsibility (lazy, gluttonous, etc.)
• Rarely challenged and leads to prejudice
• Rates have increased (women more than men)

Question 2

what are the consequences of weight bias in healthcare?

Answer 2

• Physicians
o Assign more negative systems
o Spend less time in appointments
o Reluctant to perform certain screenings
• Obese patients
o Less likely to obtain preventive care and exams
o More likely to cancel appointments and delay important services

Question 3

what are overweight characters treated like in the media?

Answer 3

• More likely to be targets of ridicule
• Seen engaging in stereotypical eating behaviors
• Heavier the character, the more negative comments received

Question 4

what are some of the health consequences of weight bias?

Answer 4

• Increased risk for low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety
• Associated with social rejection, poor academics, school absences, lower wages

Question 5

what is obesity?

Answer 5

Obesity = product of many factors
• Genes and the environment make lifestyle change difficult
• Attributing obesity to personal responsibility leads to prejudice

Question 6

what can be done about obesity? (PH efforts)

Answer 6

What can be done? (Public Health Efforts)
• Change media portrayals of obese individuals
• Implement anti-bullying policies
• Educate public about complex causes of obesity
• Legislation to prohibit weight discrimination
• Challenge weight-based stereotypes

Question 7

what is the governments role in diet?

Answer 7

• Some believe dietary choices are personal, and government should stay out of the way

Question 8

examples of government action/inaction?

Answer 8

• Framing nutrition issues
• Sugar
• Vitamin Water

Question 9

possible thresholds for and barriers to government action?

Answer 9

• How serious is the problem? (i.e. obesity)
o Prevalence and consequences
• What are the actual and perceived causes?
• Is the affected population stigmatized?
o Are they expected to cure themselves?
• Are there effective ways to intervene?
• Are costs justified?

Question 10

how is the government involved in our diets now?

Answer 10

• USDA and nutrition guidelines
• Subsidies
• FDA and food labeling
• Entitlement programs (WIC, Food Stamps)
• National School Lunch Program etc.

Question 11

two main competing frames?

Answer 11

Corporate and Government Frame Public Health and NGO Frame
Cause Personal misbehavior Environment
Who is afflicted Those at fault Those in need
Impact Costs others $ Suffering
Change Target Individual Social Drivers
Default Remedy Treatment Systemic change
Main Approach Education Prevention

The Great Risk Shift – Jacob S. Hacker
• Individuals responsible for their own problems

Food Politics – Marion Nestle
• Government has role because food companies urge people to eat unhealthily