Every third person in the US is obese or overweight. This is not an exaggeration, but an objective fact: according to the latest reports, the number of obese adults in the country is well over 35%. Obesity is a known gateway for many diseases, including cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and others. With it being a national health issue, the government and society are making an effort to help reduce its toll on healthcare and the economy.
However, the zealousness with which the fight against obesity is being led brings little results. The article I have chosen to analyze for my personal response is titled “Glutton Intolerance: What if a war on obesity only makes the problem worse?” published in Slate in 2009. The article addresses the issue of psychological bullying of overweight and obese people in its relation to the disease.
Daniel Engber, the author of “Glutton Intolerance,” is making the point that obese people are more likely to be treated differently in current society, that they may be unfairly judged in multiple ways such as in healthcare, and that they may experience unexpected issues in employment and in school.