An overweight society in denial: junk food companies continue to profit as obesity is normalized

Wednesday, February 03, 2016 by: L.J. Devon, Staff Writer
Tags: obesity, denial, junk food

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(NaturalNews) The aisles weave throughout the grocery store like arteries. The people pass through the aisles as if they are plaque, sometimes reaching for junk food on the shelves -as they cling to the artery walls. Clogging the aisles, the people fill their carts with processed ingredients that only feed their ever-increasing waistlines. As each day passes, society is one step closer to having one giant heart attack. No one is admitting the causes. No one is honest about the problems. The plaque is clogging the aisles and the stiffening of movement is worsening, like a heart attack building under the skin.

When will we see that the mass produced food products made so widely available (and often subsidized by the government) are the very things cheapening our health, dumbing us down? The problem is made worse by those who deny their weight problem and bad eating habits altogether. Large junk food companies sweep in to profit off the denial and the obese perpetuate the cycle, by buying into the painful scheme with their dollars.

90 percent or more of the clinically obese won't admit their problem

According to a recent Cancer Research UK study, published in BMJ Open, a majority of people who are obese (30+ body mass index) don't even describe themselves as being "very overweight," let alone, "obese." Many obese people view their heaviness as normal and even claim their problem is genetic, as they push away opportunities to improve their health, weight, and vibrancy. Many would rather stay miserable, blaming fate, holding onto those who feed their sympathy, stagnant behavior, and careless attitude toward health and weight.

In the study, Professor Jane Wardle relayed, "It's a real worry that people don't recognize that their weight places them in the obese category, because it means they aren't aware they are at increased risk of a number of health problems including cancer."

The study, which investigated British perceptions of obesity, showed widespread denial. Less than 10 percent of the clinically obese in the study actually admitted they have a serious weight problem. That means that 90 percent or more of obese people blatantly disregard reality. Their mind is in a state of perpetual illusion, as they lie to themselves' day in and day out. How can we better see ourselves for who we really are and admit our shortcomings when it comes to our health?

When the study went by gender, men were the most in denial regarding their weight. Only seven percent described their obesity for what it is. Only 16 percent admitted they were "very overweight," even after measuring over 30 BMI.

Is the BMI test accurate for all individuals, though?

Is the BMI calculator over diagnosing people as obese or is society really in denial of its weight problem? In the end, the study praised the importance of measuring individual's body mass index. The more people understood their BMI, the more likely they were to properly admit that they are obese. The "obesity" diagnosis, however, did not have any impact on motivating the obese patients to make changes to their lifestyle.

So is the BMI paradigm ineffective? Does it even consider an individual's unique situation or does it lump everyone into general categories? How might the density of bones or the heavier weight of muscles skew a BMI test, telling someone they need to lose weight, when in fact, they are generally at a comfortable, healthy weight?

Redefining the term "obesity" may help society recognize its growing weight problem

How might the generalized BMI test make the obesity epidemic worse? Instead of seeing "obesity" as the problem and projecting its negative image, maybe its time to address the individual foods, habits, and mental blocks that are making society grow at the waistline.

The term "obese" is associated with a lot of negative stigma and is a label that no one wants to associate with. Are there more diligent ways to help people recognize their weight problem? Are there more individualized ways to educate on the health problems that come with obesity? Instead of focusing on the "image" aspect of obesity, health professionals may want to focus on other horrific aspects that weight can aggravate - like the strain extra weight places on organs. As highlighted in the study, being overweight increases the risk of several types of cancer "including cancers of the breast in post-menopausal women, bowel, womb, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney and gallbladder."

Health professionals could help people reach for the foods that signal to the brain that the body is full. Pointing heavy people toward foods with real cellular energy and optimal nutrition levels may be key to inspiring changes. After all, everyone (especially in places where health food is less abundant) are fighting an uphill battle against junk food companies who profit off people's addiction to their chemical food science. The cheap products only leave a person craving more. Ultimately, as people are starved of nutrition, more food is shoveled down to fill the void. Redefining obesity, looking beyond just a BMI test generalization, and seeing where the health problems really start, is key to destroying the denial in society.

Sources for this article include
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/11/e005561