As obesity rates continue to rise in the U.S., so might our acceptance of those who are overweight. But a new study from Yale University suggests the converse trend: rather than feeling tolerance in our society, the overweight and obese say they feel more heavily discriminated against now than they did a decade ago.
A team of researchers at Yale's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity,questioned 1,100 subjects,aged 35 to 74,twice over a 10-year span (once between 1995 and 1996,and again between 2004 and 2006).The respondents answered 11 questions about whether they had been discriminated against in the context of common life experiences like applying to college or for a scholarship.I do want to point out however that all the respondents who took part in this research was all Americans,hence this research is purely base on the Americans viewpoint of things,but I think it is still applicable for Singaporeans or even other countries.Participants answered nine additional questions about everyday experiences,such as how they were treated in restaurants,and whether they had encountered name-calling,harassment or threats.Between the two survey periods,the rate of discrimination due to height or weight increased from 7% of respondents to 12% of respondents.The study is one of the first to track patterns of discrimination based on weight.It's worth noting,however,that the survey relied on people's own perception of discrimination.The authors did not require the subjects to document bias in any way.In addition,the authors found that rates of discrimination by age and gender also increased in the same time period,suggesting that several forms of bias,or perhaps sensitivity to perceived bias,is on the rise overall,not just against the overweight.
Like I have said earlier,this study was entirely base on the Americans viewpoint of things it does not necessarily be the same scenario here in Singapore,but I would like to thing likewise judging from my own experience.No,I'm not obese or overweight,but I know some people who are overweight and from what I normally see,they are usually being teased because of their weight.I don't know whether the people teasing them are just having some fun or they seriously dislike people who are overweight,but whatever it is,I dont think the teasing will be well received by the person who is overweight.I dont know how true the report is regarding that people who are overweight feel more heavily discriminated than they did a decade ago because I wasnt born a decade ago but I know that the problem of discrimination still exists.Again,you have to ask yourself what is the true definition of 'discrimination'.
I am not overweight,but I know it doesn't feel good to be tease,whether it is about your weight or anything else.People need to show more respect and consideration towards one another.Try to put yourself in the other person shoes and think what would you feel like if you are the one being tease.I am sure you wont like it.I would love to hear what you have to say if you are experiencing the same problem.Just leave a comment below or tag on the side.Thanks.
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