How the Media Influence Perceptions of Obesity Free Essay Example, 3500 words

It is impossible not to mention The Biggest Looser, a truly successful reality television show in the US and Australia. Perhaps, one of the reasons why this show is so popular is the fact that it gives some of its viewers an opportunity to assert themselves. It is always easier to cope with personal problems when there are examples of people whose problems are even worse. The show participants try to lose the most weight and therefore, become the Biggest Loser. At the same time, the main idea of the show is based on an assumption that weight problems are caused by the personal failure, rather than by external circumstances such as environment, genetics, and so on. In fact, this may be called one of the dominant obesity discourses. Within obesity discourse, both overweight and obesity are represented as a failure to care for one s self while the sin body is given recognition as reflecting control, virtue, and goodness , writes (Wright Harwood, 2009). One may be curious why so many people in Western societies are overweight or obese. We will write a custom essay sample on How the Media Influence Perceptions of Obesity or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page In modern society, her weight may be safely called average. At the same time, she looks quite funny, clumsy and indeed overweight when compared with some of the well-shaped people around her. Bridget is often blamed for being unable to take control of herself. She tends to overindulge on food, smoking, and alcohol, which helps her cope with relationship difficulties.