Reflecting on Obesity as a Personal and Social Problem

by | Feb 25, 2024 | Psychology

Now that you have reviewed all of the material over these last 8 weeks and finished the course, please consider the following. During Module 1, we discussed obesity as a personal problem and a social problem. Since then, you have explored many of the factors that have led to this epidemic on both the individual and social level. You have also had the opportunity to keep a Food Journal throughout the course to analyze your own eating habits. Based on the information you have learned in the course and after examining the data in your Food Journal, please respond to the following questions.

Do you still agree or disagree with your initial thoughts on obesity as a personal problem and a social problem?
How has your opinion changed?
If it hasn’t changed, do you now have greater insight? Explain
What did you learn that influenced your perspective?
When looking back on your Food Journal, what did you learn in the course that will most affect your eating habits?
Have you made, or are you planning, any changes in your eating or exercise habits based on what you have learned in this course?
Identify 2 key takeaways you could share with your family

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Reflecting on Obesity as a Personal and Social Problem

Having completed the course and thoroughly examined the factors contributing to the obesity epidemic at both the individual and societal levels, my perspective on obesity as a personal problem versus a social problem has evolved. Here are my responses to the questions posed:

Initial Thoughts vs. Evolved Perspective:

Initially, I viewed obesity primarily as a personal problem, believing that individuals were solely responsible for their eating habits and physical activity levels. However, through the course material and self-reflection in the Food Journal, my opinion has shifted towards recognizing obesity as a complex interplay of personal choices and environmental influences.

Changes in Perspective and Greater Insight:

– My opinion has evolved to acknowledge that while personal choices regarding diet and exercise play a significant role in obesity, societal factors such as food accessibility, marketing, cultural norms, and socioeconomic disparities also exert a profound impact on individuals’ health outcomes.
– I now have a greater insight into how systemic issues like food deserts, misleading food labeling, and sedentary lifestyles contribute to the obesity crisis, emphasizing the need for collective action and policy interventions to address these root causes.

Influential Learnings from the Course:

– Learning about the impact of food marketing strategies, portion sizes, and hidden sugars in processed foods has heightened my awareness of how food choices are influenced by external factors beyond personal control.
– Understanding the importance of mindful eating, balanced nutrition, and regular physical activity has underscored the significance of holistic lifestyle changes in promoting long-term health and well-being.

Impact on Eating Habits and Future Changes:

– Reviewing my Food Journal data has highlighted patterns of emotional eating, reliance on convenience foods, and irregular meal timings that may contribute to overeating and poor nutrition.
– Based on what I have learned in the course, I am planning to make conscious efforts to incorporate more whole foods, practice portion control, prioritize meal planning, and engage in regular exercise to improve my overall health and prevent obesity.

Key Takeaways for Family:

1. Mindful Eating: Encouraging family members to practice mindful eating, paying attention to hunger cues, savoring food flavors, and avoiding distractions during meals can promote healthier eating habits and prevent overconsumption.
2. Physical Activity: Emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity for all family members, whether through group exercises, outdoor activities, or sports participation, can foster a culture of fitness and well-being within the family unit.

In conclusion, my journey through this course has deepened my understanding of obesity as a multifaceted issue encompassing personal choices and broader social influences. By integrating these insights into my lifestyle and sharing key takeaways with my family, I aim to cultivate healthier habits, promote wellness within my household, and contribute to a more informed approach towards tackling the obesity epidemic.

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