As
a social worker, obesity needs to be thought of as a social issue and not just
an individual disorder. Social justice is an important aspect to bring to this
issue, which allows a systematic approach to be incorporated in understanding
these problems that affect so many children. Attachment theory is an
interesting place to start, but it has a weakness of being to narrow and only
focusing on the individual and parent relationship. However, research shows
that parents do affect children, but more emphasis needs to be placed on the
environment and the systems surrounding the individual.
It
is also important to teach people to take responsibility for their actions and
develop healthy coping skills. This will help them deal with emotional issues
related to self-esteem, stress, coping and social support throughout childhood.
However, it is also important to address these issues from a cultural
standpoint and understand how the environment influences the individual with
negative body images. The public needs to be made aware of overweight and
obesity issues that have become a global problem. This can help alleviate the
isolation that tends to occur among individuals who are obese. Not addressing
these issues will have severe consequences on a social, economic, and health
standpoint.
These
children and adolescents growing up will continue to deal with multiple health
issues affecting the economy substantially. The need for action is imperative
and governments and communities need to be made aware of these concerns.
Preventative programs are a great place to start and it is imperative to help
build social support, self-esteem and coping skills among children and
adolescent’s. Teaching these individuals better ways to cope with problems will
help them alleviate the need to develop unhealthy eating behaviors, which can
develop into weight gain and obesity.
Treatment
must begin with empowering people across the globe and continue developing
services and programs aimed at treating and preventing obesity. Helping
alleviate the shame and guilt from families who suffer from obesity would be
easier if social workers could establish a unity within this population. Group
programs seem to be very beneficial method in the treatment of eating disorders,
so it could be used to treat obesity. Being overweight or obese can become a
child’s sense of identity, which is something social workers need to work on
correcting. This could be helped through the group process with other members
who are working on self-identity and self-esteem. However, a new approach and
understanding of why these problems develop, would lead to better treatment
outcomes. Understanding the root of why individuals become obese is imperative
to treating the individual and the problem as a social issue.
Shira Heffernan
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| This picture is amazing to me and it really puts into perspective how accessible fast food is to families across the nation. |
