Discuss the relationship between SES (socioeconomic status) and obesity? What are the findings? How can we explain the effect of SES on obesity?
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.
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
The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Obesity
Introduction
The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity has been a topic of interest among researchers for many years. SES is a multidimensional concept that includes factors such as income, education, and occupation. Obesity, on the other hand, refers to a condition where an individual has excessive body fat. This essay will discuss the findings regarding the relationship between SES and obesity, as well as explore possible explanations for this effect.
The Findings
Numerous studies have consistently shown a strong association between SES and obesity. Research indicates that individuals with lower SES are more likely to be obese compared to those with higher SES. A study conducted by McLaren (2007) found that in developed countries, adults with lower education levels and income were more likely to be obese. Similarly, another study by Wang et al. (2011) revealed that children from families with lower income and parental education were at a higher risk of obesity.
Furthermore, research suggests that the relationship between SES and obesity is not only limited to developed countries but is also prevalent in developing nations. A study conducted in Brazil by Monteiro et al. (2004) found that individuals with low SES had a higher prevalence of obesity compared to those with higher SES.
Explaining the Effect of SES on Obesity
Several factors contribute to the relationship between SES and obesity. One possible explanation is the difference in access to healthy food options. Individuals from lower SES backgrounds often have limited access to affordable, nutritious food compared to those from higher SES backgrounds. This can lead to a higher consumption of calorie-dense, processed foods that contribute to weight gain.
Additionally, individuals with lower SES may have limited access to safe and convenient places for physical activity. This lack of access to recreational facilities, parks, and gyms can hinder opportunities for regular exercise, thus increasing the risk of obesity.
Furthermore, stress has been identified as a potential mediator in the relationship between SES and obesity. Individuals from lower SES backgrounds often experience chronic stress due to financial difficulties, job insecurity, and social inequalities. This chronic stress can lead to overeating or unhealthy coping mechanisms, ultimately contributing to weight gain and obesity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the research findings consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between SES and obesity. Individuals with lower SES are at a higher risk of obesity compared to those with higher SES. The effect of SES on obesity can be explained by factors such as limited access to healthy food options, inadequate opportunities for physical activity, and chronic stress. Addressing these underlying factors is crucial in developing effective interventions to reduce obesity rates, especially among populations with lower SES. By promoting equitable access to healthy food options, creating safe spaces for physical activity, and implementing policies that address social inequalities, we can work towards reducing the disparities in obesity prevalence based on socioeconomic status.
