Steroetype of Obese Women

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Marjorie J Perry K. Erickson English 101 5 August 2013 Stereotyping of Overweight and Obese Women America is in the midst of a serious epidemic that is prevalent in millions of people. The modern diet often includes large portions and high fat content, leading to a new trend of obesity. Statistics show that at least 28% of women are overweight, and obesity is often regarded as a personal weakness for too much food and a lack of exercise. It’s a simple enough concept- women need to use up all the calories that they eat through working or exercise or else it leads to weight gain. So to look at a woman and see the extra pounds, whether it’s just a few around the middle or the lady riding the electric scooter because she can’t walk due to being so large, the general public can see only one explanation. Women overeat and they are so lazy that they deliberately won’t lose weight; therefore it’s their own fault. While the stereotype of fat women as being lazy overeaters may be true for some, there are many different causes of obesity in women that are beyond their control, including previous pregnancies, genetics, and disabilities that limit mobility or exercise. Not all women are able to immediately lose the excess pounds after giving birth, and it is easy enough for them to be stereotyped as lazy, despite the fact that their bodies have gone through a lot of physical changes associated with pregnancy. In an article written arguing the link between pregnancy and obesity, the author explains that, “In the past century, recommendations for gestational weight gain have become more liberal, and the prevalence of obesity among women of childbearing age in this country has increased drastically.” (Siega-Riz) In essence, the recommended amount of weight gain during pregnancy has increased; making it harder to lose the excess weight after the baby is born. The same

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