Michael Maxfield Resisting The Moralization Of Obesity

In modern day America, it 's practically impossible to go anywhere or do anything without the latest dietary fads being shoved down your throat. We 've all heard notorious claims such as:“Avoid carbs at all costs,” “Count your calories lest you 'd rather count your days,” “Gluten is the Devil in your dish!” Being a country where obesity thrives and its people 's lives are virtually consumed by the media, it 's only to be expected. The controversy latched onto what Journalist Michael Pollan calls the “Western disease” known as obesity is a goldmine for the American industry, but is it only that? (Pollan) Is obesity really as big an epidemic as we 're making it out to be? In her Food as Thought: Resisting the Moralization of Eating piece, Mary …show more content…
This stigma surrounding food and fatness is simply just another source of income for America 's capitalistic market, not an actual threat to one 's general well-being. Despite agreeing with the majority of her argument, there is one point that I cannot get behind one hundred percent, that point being her assertion that obesity is not a real dilemma with real consequences. No matter the size, our bodies are absolutely beautiful, fighting everyday to keep us alive and kicking. Albeit, just like motor vehicles, our bodies can only handle so much wear and tear before they begin to break down. Even though the media typically goes about “bringing awareness” the wrong way, weight-related complications—whether it be obesity, anorexia, bulimia, etc—are a serious