STIGMA ON OBESITY

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

NAME: TYRECE RAWLINS

SCHOOL: CANADIAN SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
TERRITORY: GUYANA
CANDIDATE #:
CENTRE #:
 STIGMA ON OBESITY

Contents
PLAN OF INVESTIGATION ......................................................................................................................... 2
SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................................................... 3
ARTICLE ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 4
ARTICLE TWO .......................................................................................................................................... 5
ARTICLE THREE ........................................................................................................................................ 7
REFLECTION ONE ..................................................................................................................................... 8
REFLECTION TWO .................................................................................................................................... 9
REFLECTION THREE ................................................................................................................................ 10
REPORT ................................................................................................................................................. 11
OVERVIEW OF THE ORAL PRESENTATION .............................................................................................. 13
APPENDIX .............................................................................................................................................. 14

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PLAN OF INVESTIGATION
The objective of this SBA is to conduct research to garner views on the issue of how obesity is
stigmatized in society. This topic was chosen because I have observed that in our society, those
who are fat are usually judged, shamed and insulted. As such, I would like to gain more knowledge
and insight into this problem and how perpetuated it is in our society.

Online literature research of three different pieces of artifacts (poem1, article2 and picture3) will be
used to compare my viewpoints with those of the creators of the artifacts. The artifacts would be
analyzed for their use of language, specifically literary techniques and figures of speech, to appeal
to the reader and they will also be used to either fortify or change my opinion.

Upon completion of this research, I hope to gain critical investigative and thinking skills and also
improve on my writing skills and oral effectiveness during presentation.

1
https://www.powerpoetry.org/poems/obesity

2
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/food-junkie/201306/the-obesity-stigma

3
https://bizarrescience1.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/thesunfattiescauseglobawarming2.png

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SCHEDULE
Activity Date & Time Persons Involved
Teacher introduced us to the September 3, 2018, 1:00 PM Davie, Brian, Tyrece,
SBA and groups were chosen to 2:10 PM Kimberly, Naomi
Topic and subtopics were September 7, 2018, 2:20 PM Davie, Brian, Tyrece,
chosen. to 3:30 PM Kimberly, Naomi
Plan of investigation was September 22, 2018, 10:00 Davie, Brian, Kimberly
written AM to 11:30 AM
Artefacts were collected September 28, 2018, 2:20 PM Davie, Brian, Kimberly,
to 3:30 PM Tyrece
Reflection 1 October 8, 2018, 1:00 PM to Brian, Tyrece, Kimberly
2:10 PM
Reflection 1 October 12, 2018, 2:20 PM to Davie, Brian, Tyrece,
3:30 PM Kimberly
Reflection 2 October 22, 2018, 1:00 PM to Davie, Brian, Tyrece,
2:10 PM Kimberly
Reflection 2 October 26, 2018, 2:20 PM to Brian, Tyrece, Kimberly
3:30 PM
Intro to report November 5, 2018, 1:00 PM Davie, Brian, Tyrece,
to 2:10 PM Kimberly
Continuation of report November 23, 2018, 2:10 PM Davie, Brian, Tyrece
to 3:30 PM
Completion of report January 10, 2019, 4:00 PM to Kimberly
5:30 PM
Teacher checked books and January 25, 2019, 2:20 PM to Davie, Brian, Tyrece,
returned them 3:30 PM Kimberly

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ARTICLE ONE
Obesity – Michael B Farmer

Why are so you fat?

When you can be just as thin,
Some say what matters is within,
You say I can't help that.

Have you ever tried?

What’s within will surely become broke,
And only leave you soaked
With the misery of being a practical joke.

Have you seen the media?

Obesity is their muse,
You can say it's just their views.
Truth is, you're only hurting yourselves

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ARTICLE TWO

The Obesity Stigma

The Negative Social Consequences of Being Obese

Posted Jun 12, 2013

Source:
Most of us are well aware of the negative health consequences that result from obesity and yet
many people remain unaware of the negative socialconsequences that also result from obesity.
A couple of years ago, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta began a controversial campaign
depicting overweight children in an emotionally harmful way. Outrage ensued because of how the
children in the ads are being portrayed in society: In short, the campaign is labeling them as people
that no kid should want to be.

See http://theweek.com/article/index/222972/georgias-grim-anti-obesity-ads

Perhaps this campaign may have taken their message a bit too far, but we need to realize that we
ourselves perpetuate this same message to society every day, just in a much more covert way.

Obesity is stigmatized as a condition that is changeable and controllable. In essence, obesity is

subconsciously construed as a person’s choice. While factors other than controllable eating habits
are at play in the obesity crisis, many people still perpetuate the erroneous assumption that
overweight people are impulsive, lazy, and less likeable overall.

For example, a study that measured the attitudes of 400 medical professionals towards obese
individuals, found that physicians associated obesity with other conditions associated with poor
hygiene, hostility, and dishonesty. Other studies found that many physicians relate obesity to a
lack of love or attention, lack of willpower, and large amounts of overindulgence.

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Unfortunately, an obese individual must face these stigmas in situations outside of the doctor’s
office as well. When applying for a job, obese individuals are less likely to be hired, are more
likely to be perceived incompetent, and are also more likely to leave negative impressions on their
future employers. Attitudes of employers towards obesity were found to be similar to the
physicians’ attitudes mentioned earlier.

Even as children, we still fall prey to this negative way of thinking. In one study, children that are
shown drawings of other kids with different “handicaps”, are reported to like the drawings of obese
children a lot less than drawings of children with facial disfigurements, children in wheelchairs, or
children with other types of handicaps.

Again, much of this goes back to the idea of the “controllability” factor behind obesity. In a similar
study, high school girls had to decide how likeable they found photos of other girls. The photos of
obese girls were, once again, ranked last on their scale of likeability. However, when subjects were
told that the overweight girls suffered from weight issues because of a thyroid problem, the photos
of overweight girls were liked just as much as the photos of normal-weight girls. In the first
condition, the overweight girls were their own perpetuators of their obesity and in the second
condition, the overweight girls were the victims of their condition.

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ARTICLE THREE

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REFLECTION ONE
 Before reading the poem obesity by Mr. Michael B. Farmer, my thoughts on obesity was
that one does not have control over it and it happens because of their genes. After reading
the poem, I have learnt that obesity is a person’s choice and can be controlled as indicated
in lines 1-2 of the poem. I have also learnt that people make jokes about obese persons to
entertain others while the obese persons can feel broken inside and may cause them to cry.
The article instills in me an agreement and acceptance for the poet’s viewpoint since the
poet tries to argue that obesity can be controlled.

 The author of the second article objects to the idea that obesity is controllable. This is
exemplified in the third paragraph where the author mentions that the assumption that
overweight people are lazy and impulsive is false. The article invoked a feeling of relief in
me since the author shares the same view as I do. However, it is disheartening to learn that
society, in general, is of the view that obesity is as a result of poor self-care.

 Article three appears to be a fictitious news site which is intended to ridicule those who are
obese by ‘fat-shaming’ via the use of pectoral depiction .The article instills in me a feeling
of guilt and remorse since I have also been a culprit of degrading and insulting fat people.

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REFLECTION TWO
 The language technique used in the poem obesity by Mr. Michael B. Farmer was
principally emotional and figurative language. The poet appealed to the reader’s emotions
by using words and phrases to create a sense of guilt for a reader who is obese. This is
evidenced in line 12 of the poem where the poet states ‘you’re only hurting yourselves’.
The poet also uses rhetorical questions to reinforce the sense of guilt as seen in lines 1, 4
and 8. The use of these language techniques were very effective in conveying the message
that obesity is a matter of choice. The use of a metaphor in line 10 of the poem also
demonstrates how obesity is stigmatized. The rhyme scheme used in the poem is a, b, b, c.

 The writing style used in the second entry was primarily formal speech. The writer used
Standard English, and persuasive writing in the article to convey the message that obesity
is not a choice. This is evidenced by the use of statistical data and results from scientific
reports to get the reader to change their opinion on obesity. A comparison of obese children
to ‘handicaps’ was made to appeal to the readers’ emotions to get them to sympathize and
possibly reverse the stigma attached to obesity.

 The headline of this article is a pun. The main literary device used in picture was satire.
The picture criticizes obese people by using a witty headline and an image of fat women
to provoke amusement and indignation. The images portrays the derrieres of two women
to create an image In the viewer’s mind that fat people produces more gases which can
contribute to global warming. Again, this adds to the stigma attached to obesity generally
in society which is reflected in the last stanza of the poem.

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REFLECTION THREE
After the completion of this SBA, my ability to critique information has tremendously improved.
I am now able to compare and contrast articles which are similar to and different from my personal
opinions in a less biased manner. I have learnt that it is important to reread articles and extract
main points and also identify stylistic elements such as literary and formal devices.

This SBA has also taught me how to work better in groups. Here I leant that it is important to adapt
the task to the group by dividing up the work so as to get everyone to work at the best of their
ability. I have also learnt that it is vital to get someone to be in charge since this brings order and
consensus to be reached more quickly.

Finally, I have also improved my public speaking skills. I have learnt that it is important to put the
audience first by captivating their attention through the use of intonation of speech. I have also
become better by being able to put aside feelings of nervousness and shyness by making more eye
contact during oral presentation.

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REPORT
This SBA started when the teacher explained it to us. Groups were selected, and a topic and four
subtopics were chosen. Group members carried out research to find artefacts relating to their
subtopics. These artefacts were found using the Internet. Images were found, and educational
websites on the topic were used. After obtaining three artefacts per group member, the group
related to each other and was satisfied with the artefacts found. It was very difficult to analyze the
artefacts for each person. The group cooperation was initially very low. However, these problems
were overcome through group discussions. Our knowledge was widened, and our awareness
increased for the better.

Seventy-five percent of the members agreed that the group was effective, while the remainder
disagreed due to lack of cooperation. Fifty percent of the members were not happy working as a
group, while the other fifty percent were not and preferred to work alone. All members agreed that
they learnt both individually and as a group. It was verified that obesity is not a choice, but more
of a health issue that can be cured by traditional, medical, herbal and religious ways that will
alleviate the stigmas surrounding obese people. All members would have preferred if the group
met more frequently during this research project.

According to the article “Targeting a hunger hormone to treat obesity”, obesity promotes the
emergence of chronic diseases. A possible solution is to interfere with the hormones responsible
for appetite. This is done by blocking the binding of the hormone ghrelin to its receptor. However,
this could have undesirable side effects on growth hormones and the gastrointestinal system.
The poem “Obesity” by Michael B. Farmer speaks about the views of people on obesity. Obesity
is described as a muse for the media, which speaks the honest truth, and is very easy to be offended
by. Obese people may feel miserable or be “soaked” in tears about what the media is saying. Obese
people often do not listen out of shame and are blind to the truth.

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The tabulated picture “choosing a diet” shows advantages and disadvantages of different types of
fad diets, with examples. Premeasured food plans, the most popular being Nutrisystem, have the
advantages of being complete and prescribed, with good nutritional balance. However, they are
expensive and monotonous, additionally having low long-term success rates. Protein supplements,
such as powders and shakes, are easy to prepare and cause rapid weight loss. However, they are
normally over-priced and low in fiber.

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OVERVIEW OF THE ORAL PRESENTATION

This presentation was done in the form of a prose based on the subtopic “Stigma of Obesity”. Upon
completion of this research, I came across various research documents, cartoons, pictures and
forms of poetry which either argued in favour or against the view that obesity can be controlled.
Most of the pictures and cartoons encountered4 depict obesity in a negative light and many try to
ridicule those who suffer. Many of the web blogs and online articles sourced scientific research
data to fortify the point that was being put forth5.The principal language used in the documents
found during this research was formal, factual and persuasive.
My knowledge of this topic has greatly improved after completion of this research. I will
personally try to improve on my attitude displayed towards those who are obese since they may
become psychologically affected by the stigma and general taunting by those in society.

https://www.google.com/search?q=obesity&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkqLzDhf3gAhVMja0KH
RWHAaQQ_AUIDigB&biw=1366&bih=695

5
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323551.php

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APPENDIX

Question Self mark Teacher’s mark

I know what I am
expected to do to work +1
well as a team
It is easy to focus on what
is taking place in the +1
group
In the group, I feel self-
esteeme, self-confidence +1
and self-efficacy
I know how to manage
how I behave in the group +1

I always manage my tasks

on time and thoroughly +1

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://bizarrescience1.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/thesunfattiescauseglobawarming2.png

https://www.google.com/search?q=obesity&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkqLzDhf3gAhVMja0KH
RWHAaQQ_AUIDigB&biw=1366&bih=695

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323551.php

https://www.powerpoetry.org/poems/obesity

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/food-junkie/201306/the-obesity-stigma

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