Weight-centered health paradigms puts a lot of emphasis on an individual’s caloric intake and energy output, and therefore focuses on behavioural changes to address weight related health issues (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). This emphasis on weight as an indicator of health puts body weight as the central focus rather than health, resulting in a socially constructed “ideal” body type. This has led to individuals that are categorized as “obese” or “overweight” being subject to a great deal of criticism because they differ from the idealized norms of society (. Bariatric surgery was developed as a means of reducing body weight through surgery, which was intended to reduce the size of the stomach and therefore food consumption (Bacon
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Firstly, this approach encourages individuals to accept their body rather than encouraging an obsessive relationship with body weight (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). For example, when individuals aren’t content with their body, this can encourage unhealthy lifestyle choices to reduce their weight out of fear of discrimination. Secondly, instead of the regulation of an individual’s diet that is based on restraint, HAES encourages the development of intuitive eating habits (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). Lastly, HAES encourages enjoyable and sustainable exercise routines that they can build into their day to day lives, rather than setting structured exercise requirements that can overwhelming and short-lived (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). Therefore, although the HAES approach to health understands the importance of empowering individuals when tackling health outcomes, it also recognizes the structural aspects of health inequalities that foster thin privilege (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). I think this approach is essential when addressing health in our societies today, as we have become so fixated on weight loss and how someone “looks” as a determinant of their overall health. However, as Bacon and Aphramor discussed in their paper, weight should not be the focus when encouraging health and rather should be focused more on fostering long term healthy behaviours for everyone regardless of …show more content…
An example of this orthodontic treatments for example, are often not a medical necessary treatment however it is a common cosmetic procedure that is performed to enhance social desirability (Khalid & Quiñonez, 2015). This preoccupations with idea an ideal body reinforces class differences, as individuals with the money to invest in their self-improvement are valued, as physical appearance is greatly in rooted in the identification of self (Khalid & Quiñonez, 2015). Male circumcision is another example, as it involves the removal of male foreskin that is deep rooted in cultural and religious traditions (English, et al, 2001). Although there is now some research that is linking it a reduced risk of HIV transmission, it is a tradition that is centuries old. It is an issue that goes beyond medical necessity, as it brings up the issue of human rights (English, et al,
Firstly, this approach encourages individuals to accept their body rather than encouraging an obsessive relationship with body weight (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). For example, when individuals aren’t content with their body, this can encourage unhealthy lifestyle choices to reduce their weight out of fear of discrimination. Secondly, instead of the regulation of an individual’s diet that is based on restraint, HAES encourages the development of intuitive eating habits (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). Lastly, HAES encourages enjoyable and sustainable exercise routines that they can build into their day to day lives, rather than setting structured exercise requirements that can overwhelming and short-lived (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). Therefore, although the HAES approach to health understands the importance of empowering individuals when tackling health outcomes, it also recognizes the structural aspects of health inequalities that foster thin privilege (Bacon & Aphramor, 2011). I think this approach is essential when addressing health in our societies today, as we have become so fixated on weight loss and how someone “looks” as a determinant of their overall health. However, as Bacon and Aphramor discussed in their paper, weight should not be the focus when encouraging health and rather should be focused more on fostering long term healthy behaviours for everyone regardless of …show more content…
An example of this orthodontic treatments for example, are often not a medical necessary treatment however it is a common cosmetic procedure that is performed to enhance social desirability (Khalid & Quiñonez, 2015). This preoccupations with idea an ideal body reinforces class differences, as individuals with the money to invest in their self-improvement are valued, as physical appearance is greatly in rooted in the identification of self (Khalid & Quiñonez, 2015). Male circumcision is another example, as it involves the removal of male foreskin that is deep rooted in cultural and religious traditions (English, et al, 2001). Although there is now some research that is linking it a reduced risk of HIV transmission, it is a tradition that is centuries old. It is an issue that goes beyond medical necessity, as it brings up the issue of human rights (English, et al,