It's a sad comment on human nature that prejudice and obesity go hand in hand. Ask any person who has battled with obesity and they'll be able to reel off a list of examples.
It begins at school, where some children have a knack of singling out anyone who's different from the rest for bullying and taunting. Children who are more overweight than their classmates are easy targets.
If they also happen to be of a different ethnic background from the majority of their classmates, their lives can become especially unpleasant.
Sadly, this attitude does not end when the child leaves school. Research has shown that prejudice and obesity is very much a fact of life in the workplace.
--The Sad Story of Mr X--
In a society obsessed with unrealistic ideals of how we should look, overweight job applicants have an especially tough time breaking into the job market. A typical story of prejudice and obesity in the workplace goes like this...
Mr X applies in writing for a job. The company replies positively to his letter by asking for a more detailed resume.
Then, Mr X receives an enthusiastic phone call asking him to come in for an interview. It's clear from the tone of the call and various other hints dropped by the caller that the interview is really just a formality, that Mr X is clearly the best qualified candidate.
But all this changes come the day of the interview. The members of the interview panel refuse to meet Mr X's eye. The questions they ask are cursory. They shuffle and fidget when he speaks. It's obvious they're simply going through the motions.
When he leaves they shake his hand and thank him with enthusiasm bordering on relief. A week later he receives a form letter in the mail regretfully informing him that he was unsuccessful in his application.
Mr X is not surprised. He's gone through this charade a dozen times before.
Prejudice and obesity have an even more unpleasant face when they're paired with ethnic stereotypes - the grown up version of schoolyard taunts.
We've all heard the jokes about women of certain ethnic backgrounds ballooning after they've had children. They're mild compared to some of the other, supposedly funny, stories doing the rounds.
You can help to lift the lid on the scourge of obesity related prejudice.
Were you bullied as a child because you were overweight? Have you experienced prejudice in the workplace? Have you been the butt of an ethnic/obesity related joke? Or perhaps you've got an inspiring story about how you've overcome negative perceptions. Maybe you're a counsellor or website publisher with important insights. Visit http://www.obesitycures.com/prejudice-and-obesity.html and share your experience or advice. You could make a difference.
Alan Cooper is a journalist with 20 year's experience and the publisher of ObesityCures.com, a site with the ambitious aim of being a "one-stop-shop" for impartial information on obesity and weight loss solutions - including fad diets, prescription weightloss pills and natural weightloss aids.
Elk Grove (east OF 53) car service from Midway .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThere's a dirty little secret in the diet industry. The... Read More
Do you want to lose weight fast? While there is... Read More
When we hear all the success stories of the gastric... Read More
Have You Given Up on Weight Loss? by Greg Landry,... Read More
As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More
ObesityToday, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are... Read More
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases today. One... Read More
Many of enjoy sitting down at Starbucks and enjoying a... Read More
When on a diet, snack attacks can hit hard and... Read More
Cellulite ? a word most women are very familiar with.... Read More
Do you have a big event coming up? Perhaps you... Read More
Many people search for a pill, a special diet or... Read More
Getting to the ROOT of the matter: If the plants... Read More
Losing weight can make a significant and life altering change... Read More
From driving up your blood pressure and cholesterol, to increasing... Read More
It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
The Atkins diet Plan breakfast can usually composed of eggs... Read More
What is cellulite? Ask a doctor and he will probably... Read More
We all have aspects of health we want to improve.... Read More
To lose weight and keep it off you need an... Read More
Adverse Events with Volumetrics Dr. Barbara Rolls is a well... Read More
Are you concerned about the lack of exercise your child... Read More
"Unless that apple tastes like the best apple you've ever... Read More
Hundreds of products on the market today claim to be... Read More
Green Oaks limo rental ..Being over weight is usually being 20 percent or more... Read More
Life is great, isn't it? Stop and just look around... Read More
Losing Weight is All About Counting Calories/Carbs and Exercising. Or... Read More
Adaptation is the most important concept I teach. The human... Read More
As the dieting phenomenon grows, with a new "diet guru"... Read More
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS!The health clubs are always racking... Read More
Weight loss is never easy. Although this is stating the... Read More
There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
Most men and women put on weight differently. But on... Read More
No doubt about it, when we feel stressed we want... Read More
Holidays and special events should be a time of great... Read More
Yes, you read it right?no diets!The first step in this... Read More
Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
You may be considering a low carb diet program, but... Read More
Natural therapies uphold the importance of minerals, vitamins and herbs... Read More
If you are traveling on the path towards wellness you... Read More
Now that the holiday season is here, holiday foods and... Read More
If you are overweight and searching for the diet program... Read More
Have you ever stepped on the scale after a week... Read More
My first article provided steps for fast healthy weight loss.... Read More
No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy... Read More
When obesity gets out of hand, unresponsive to dietary, lifestyle... Read More
Food Cravings: How to Practice PatienceDuring holidays and parties you... Read More
Weight Loss |