Autism Is Not A Single Disease - 2025 Words

While many individuals may have racial categories in mind when they are presented with a topic about minorities, autistic individuals are rarely brought to the surface of this conversation. This means that one should consider those with disabilities as another minority category. Those with autism cannot express their thoughts well, showing their lack of socialization with anyone. Knowing that autistic individuals are born with this genetic disease serves as a detriment when they face a classroom environment, where communication is quite important, especially in the K-12 system of the United States. Therefore, not supporting autistic students to their fullest potential serves many problems to the student, parent, and educational system. Before delving into the problems that arise, one should understand how to classify autism. According to O’Callaghan, â€Å"autism is not a single disease but a name...given to a behavioral phenotype that may have many aetiologies† (O†™Callaghan). While the terminology O’Callaghan used may appear daunting because it leans towards scientific discussion, his definition explains that one should not assume autism is just a disease in itself, but is more than that. It serves another role of representing how an autistic individual acts and that the way they behave is a physical characteristic one can identify when regarding them. He additionally mentioned that autism may not have one cause, but may be composed of several causes attributed towards it.Show MoreRelatedEssay about The Signs and Effects of Autism1370 Words   |  6 PagesThe Signs and Effects of Autism Autism is a rare disease that has been noticed for centuries. The purest form of autism (high IQ and almost normal behavior yet still self-contained) occurs in about â€Å"one in 2,000 people†. When the many other forms of autism are added in, the ratio is â€Å"one in 750†. Autism is found in every race, ethnic group, nation, and social standing, although â€Å"males outnumber females by four or five times† (â€Å"Autistic Disorder† – 2). Autism is a broad range of disordersRead MoreThe Apales, Mumps, MeaslesSyncine And Exercines1338 Words   |  6 PagesHave you ever thought about how much a single lie could affect humanity for decades? That is exactly what was started in 1998 by Dr. Andrew Wakefield. He and a panel of a dozen other scientists conducted a study to test for a connection between the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine and a predisposition to behavioral regression and pervasive developmental disorders, including autism. Published on the 28th of February 1998 in The Lancet (Lancet1), their study showed there was a direct correlationRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder Impairs Social Skills, Behavior, and Communication912 Words   |  4 PagesAutism spectrum disorders are a class of developmental disorders that impair social skills, behavior, and communication (Center for Disease Control). ASDs are considered ‘spectrum’ disorders because each patient has a unique experience in the natu re and severity of their symptoms (Center for Disease Control). Under the umbrella of ASDs, there are three types of disorders, including Autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Center for DiseaseRead MoreIs Autism Caused By Vaccines Or Is It Genetic?916 Words   |  4 PagesIs autism caused by vaccines or is it genetic? Is it caused by environmental factors or are there problems during pregnancy that can cause it? Psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler first used the term autism in 1908, and in the 1940s the United States began to use this term to describe children with emotional or social problems. He used it to describe â€Å"a schizophrenic patient who had withdrawn into his own world†. The Greek word autà ³s meaning self was what the name autism was derived from and was usedRead MoreAutism Is A Neurodevelopmental Disorder962 Words   |  4 PagesAutism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is the most severe form of A utism spectrum disorder (ASD). This illness causes impairments of social abilities, language, speech, and behaviors (DeLong, 2011, p.903). Autism is growing rapidly in the United States beginning in the 1990s (DeLong, 2011, p.903). It becomes the great public health concern. The genetics plays a role in autisms. However, environmental factors also can trigger autism. So the question about whether vaccination is one of these environmentalRead MoreThe Importance Of Vaccinations748 Words   |  3 Pagesprotecting people from contracting fatal diseases. The science of vaccinations follows the definitions of science by Ruse and Lakatos, as well as Laudan’s belief that the better-supported science should be considered. In terms of evidence that supports vaccination, Harker has shown that vaccines do not cause autism or weakened immune systems. Additionally, the PBS documentary, Vaccines – Calling the Shots, discusses the evidence that shows that vaccines do not cause autism as well as discusses why vaccinesRead MoreThe Outbreak Of The Measles1659 Words   |  7 Pages An outbreak of the measles in the United States has sparked controversy in the autism world today. Contrary to previous theories, the measles vaccination is not a leading component to the cause of this disease. One in sixty-eight children in the United States are entering this world with Autistic Spectrum Disorder today, a thirty percent increase from the one in eighty eight percent two years ago. This disease is unquestionably one of the worst and most confusing disabilities out there. So, despiteRead MoreVaccine Of The Vaccine Autism Connection1317 Words   |  6 PagesThe Vaccine Autism Connection Being a parent is a never ending full time job. Constantly on the run, doing laundry, making food, and wiping snotty noses, you are faced with decisions to make for your child every day. One of those important decisions is whether or not to vaccinate your child. In today’s society this has become a tough choice to make as negative light has been casted upon vaccinations and their safety. False allegations of vaccines causing Autism have led parents from vaccinating theirRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder And Autism Essay1474 Words   |  6 PagesThere is an abundant amount of research done on abnormal diseases to understand the causes, functions, and effects or the diseases. One of the most widely known abnormal disorders is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is a complicated disorder because it represents a wide range of developmental disorders categorized by criteria such as: impaired social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication breakdowns, and repetitive behaviors. Since Autism Spectrum Disorder is on a spectrum, as the name suggestsRead MoreThe Importance Of Child Immunization1701 Words   |  7 Pagesgetting autism, parental lack of education about immunizations and lastly they believe that the illnesses that children are being immunized against are gone and immunizations are no longer needed. The autism scare started 17 years ago, in the year 1998, when a paper was published in the British medical journal called The Lancet. Andrew Wakefield, M.D., a British gastroenterologist, and his colleagues were the authors of this paper which started the scare of immunizations causing autism. Wakefield

Yoga Sutras And Early Buddhist Meditation - 1118 Words

Both the Yoga sutras and early Buddhist meditation studies the eightfold or eight limbs practices and principles. The eightfold of the early Buddhist meditation practices includes the right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. The eight limbs of Yoga sutra meditation similarly practices five restraints, five observances, postures, breath control, control of the senses, concentration, contemplation, and meditative absorption. There are multiple commonalities when it comes to the practice of Yoga sutra and early Buddhist meditation which importantly is state of the mind where the mind is informed. These steps of practices are the direction of finding†¦show more content†¦Scholars have long pointed out a commonality of vocabulary and concepts between the Yoga-sutras and Buddhist texts† (pg. 24). The Yoga sutra and early Buddhist meditation helps to distance themselves from the arrogan ce of the world, the materialistic possessions, and derives to the awareness of oneself, the innermost consciousness of the self and the mind. In the tradition of the Buddhist meditation, where there is chaos, one must and will find peace. To comprehend and evaluate one surroundings is the key aspect in discovering self awareness. Our day to day life is an example of one self-mindfulness because every day we learn from experiences which can lead to great harmony, concentration, and exploration also known as Samatha meditation. When the article declares, â€Å"The way the Buddha taught meditation was not intended to encourage people to ignore the world or closet themselves away, as is sometimes thought, but, with the mindfulness that is constantly enjoined, to be of it and participate in it more† (pg. 3). Concisely, the way one views the world is determined by the outcome of ones consciousness of the mind. How we see the world and engage in it truly opens our eyes beyond imagi nation, one learns to help, suffer, and experience the world changing and they change with it. Even though, the truly ideal phase of the Buddhist mediation comes â€Å"At the heart of theShow MoreRelatedLions Roar Mandala Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Dharma Center1079 Words   |  5 PagesLion’s Roar Mandala Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Dharma Center meets at the Do Nga Dhargey Temple, meaning â€Å"Sutra and Tantra Flourishing† (Location). Sutra means â€Å"a collection of aphorisms relating to some aspect of the conduct of life† (Sutra). In other words, they are sayings that are meant to help you to reflect on life and how we should all act. Tantra is when you try to make a connection with the Buddha(s) through yoga and meditations. Upon approaching the temple, one cannot help, but to noticeRead MoreThe Moving Role of Buddhism in the United States1184 Words   |  5 Pagesof Zen† are shelved in bookstores, [. The] the Dalai Lama has been characterize d in Hollywood movies, and [the] civilian’s new fascination in Buddhist [Buddhism] has published in the NY Times magazine. [New Paragraph] This religion originally [, which originated] from India [,] has appeared in social movements, and sports across the country, [.] and Buddhist studies are taught in universities from Portland, Maine to Honolulu, Hawaii. This American version of Buddhism has been adapted and publicizedRead MoreSimilarities Between Confucianism And Buddhism1124 Words   |  5 PagesTradition states that he attained enlightenment on a full moon day in May - under a fig tree. According to Buddha s teachings, the purpose of life is to end suffering and develop compassion for all living things without discrimination. He taught that meditation must be used to move beyond selfish concerns and desires. Only by quieting the mind can people connect with the power of the larger universe and reach a state of enlightenment and peace. Buddha s teaching, or dharma, begins with the Four NobleRead More Hinduism Essay4899 Words   |  20 PagesIndia there are six orthodox schools of philosophy which recognize the authority of the Vedas as divine revelation, and they generally function as pairs - Nyaya and Vaishesika, Mimamsa and Vedanta, and Samkhya and Yoga. Those who did not recognize this authority were the Jains, Buddhists, and materialists. Even in India where spiritual ideas dominate the culture there were some who were skeptical of those ideals and held to a materialist view of the world; they were called Carvaka, and their doctrineRead MoreI Visited Muddy Wate r Zen Temple2124 Words   |  9 Pagesvisit a Buddhist temple, but never made the effort to actually go. Muddy Water Zen Temple practices Mahayana Buddhism Taego Order in which they emphasize meditation, discipline, and individual effort to reach nirvana. Before participating in the public religious service, I acquired background knowledge about Mahayana Buddhism from the Virtual Lectures, ROAT, and Anthology. Mahayana Buddhism is a different school of Buddhism that branched off from Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhist do not agreeRead More Buddhism Essay examples1245 Words   |  5 Pagestradition). The story of Buddha’s birth is encrusted with myth and fable as that of any God-figure in human history. For instance, he is said to have issued from his mother’s womb stating that his cycle of rebirths was about to end. Again, some Buddhists devoutly accept the fables as we in the west accept Christmas narratives, while others choose to focus on the truths beneath the myths. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;We do know with some certainty that the Buddha was born to a royal family in northernRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Siddhartha s Life1758 Words   |  8 Pagestwenty-nine he left his wife, his son, and his palace behind to lead a life of extreme asceticism that he believed could lead him to the answer of overcoming human suffering. For six years Siddhartha Gautama followed asceticism and meditation. He practiced the yoga discipline under two masters, Arada Kalama, and Udraka Ramaputra. Not finding the answers under his two teachers he left to engage in extreme asceticism and was joined by five others; Ashvajit, Vashpa, Bhadrika, Mahanaman, and KaundinyaRead MoreThe Relationship Between Meditation and Mental and Physical Health1801 Words   |  8 PagesRooting back to its’ ancient times, meditation has been around for thousands of years, especially in the Eastern part of the world and has spread to the Western countries in early 1970s. Contrary to what I initially believe meditation is, prior to taking this course, which is the mental concentration on something, meditation is actually a thoughtless awareness of an individual’s surroundings. Dhyana, the generic Sanskrit term for meditation is so much more than being alone with one’s thoughtsRead MoreHow The Internet Has Changed The World2007 Words   |  9 PagesDalai Lama, have their own social media pages. The purpose of this paper is to show the ways that the internet has made Buddhism more accessible to the western world via online academic literature, social media, and the webpages of individual Buddhist monasteries. This is important because it highlights the knowledge, community, and practices and prayer associated with Buddhism and shows how this religion is adapting to an ever changing world. As part of my research, I looked at a number ofRead MoreThe Dalai Lama And The World s Oldest Religion1975 Words   |  8 PagesIndia.† Having a complex understanding of the diversity that exists in the world today may allow one to be more accepting of those who are different. When Gandhi was asked if he was a Hindu he responded, â€Å"Yes I am, I am also a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a Jew.† Gandhi saw the value in all religions because in broad strokes, they all contain similar morals.  Hinduism incorporates Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha which are known as th e four realms of life. Dharma refers to an individuals rightful

My Five Selves Essay Example For Students

My Five Selves Essay My five selves are physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual. My physical self is quite healthy because I fulfill the requirements of the FITT principle. The letters of FITT represent frequency, intensity, time and type. My intellectual self is interesting because I am mainly right-brained which means that I tend to use my creativity more than my mathematical skills. I am also a visual learned which is connected to me being right-brained. My social self consist of friends, family, and my surroundings. I spend most of my time at home with my family. Whenever I am with my friends, I observe their behaviours and listen to their opinions. I am more of an independent type of person. Being with different people has influenced me into appreciating different cultures and beliefs. I have learned things that have now been incorporated into my own set of beliefs and values. I greatly value freedom of thought, friends and family. My emotional self deals with feelings and my abilit y to handle the demands of life. The spiritual self is all about my beliefs, values, religion and my life philosophies. By satisfying the needs of all five selves, the result can be holistic wellness which is the ability to feel good about myself and others.Physical fitness is having ample energy and the ability to perform daily activities without being exhausted. My energy usually depends on the amount of sleep and food I get. If I have too much or too little sleep, I dont look forward to the day and am not enthusiastic about doing things. If I do not have a complete breakfast, it affects my energy level. When I have a good breakfast, and enough sleep, I can go through a whole day with enough energy and alertness to do many things. I have relatively good flexibility because I stretch a lot which increases the range of movement around my joints. I have muscular endurance which means that I am able to do repetitions over a length of time. Althought I have muscular endurance, I do not have muscular strength. I do not find that I am able to lift extremely heavy objects. I have adequate agility because I can move with speed and can change direction fairly quickly. My ability to balance myself changes very often. Sometimes I can balance in awkward positions, and other times I cannot. I have good speed maybe because I am an ectomorphor or maybe because I have a good cardiorespiratory system. My normal heart rate is 70 bpm, and my target heart rate is 155-185 bpm.Intellectual self deals with memory, learning, problem solving, decision making and creativity. I am a visual learner which means that I learn best by seeing the information. I am also right brained which indicates that I use my creativity more than my mathematical skills. Whenever I have a problem to solve, I usually draw a picture of the problem and draw a few possible solutions. This helps me to see and organize the problem more clearly. I make my decisions in a similar way. I list my possible choices, th en write down the good points, bad points, and consequences to each choice. For the past 5 years, Ive been keeping summer journals to remind me of my summer memories. To illustrate my entries, I use my creativity. Since a young age, Ive always liked drawing. In general, my short term memory is better than my long term memory. I find that I can only recall long term memories if they are important to me, or if they are dramatic experiences. A few examples of my childhood memories are my grandma reading to me, falling off a bridge in kindergarten, slipping in a swim change room in grade one, following my dad to work when my mom was pregnant, and flying a kite I made in grade one at Ravina Park. The people who affect my social life the most are probably my family. I have a rather large family including my aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are whom I spend most of my spare time with. My family usually gathers every weekend for dinner. I am very open to different religions, cultures, and p ractices because I know many people with different backgrounds and beliefs. Since Ive been influenced by various people, Ive learned at a very young age to never judge people by how they look, dress, feel, or act. I am very fortunate to have learned that lesson at a young age because many people still do not understand the importance of accepting differences. In groups, I prefer to listen to what others have to say rather than contributing to the discussion. I like listening to the opinions of others, then comparing to them to my own opinions. I do not mind group work, but I think I do better at individual work because all the thoughts are my own and I contribute to one hundred percent of the work. My social self is most greatly influenced by my family and myself.In my life right now, my emotions are very unorganized. To me, my basic needs are clothing, food, shelter, and love. My emotional self also needs a sense of direction. Right now, my life seems to be motionless, and not goin g anywhere. I am not fully satisfied with myself at this point, but I do not completely hate it. My basic needs are present, but not as fulfilled as I would like them to be. The demands of life are getting harder, and I have not yet found the will to meet those demands to the best of my ability. I consider myself to be very emotional or sensitive to serious issues. I am usually stressed when I have more than one test on the same day. Exam time usually gets me stressed. During that time, I dont get enough sleep, and that causes me to become grumpy and miserable. During the times when my brother and sister were being born, I spent a lot of time by myself or following my dad to his night-shift work. After my brother and sister were born, I didnt receive much attention, so I learned to become independent and find things for myself to do. Many of my emotions are influences by my surroundings and the things Ive learned.I believe that my spiritual self is the most important out of the five selves. I do not have a certain religion that I belong to and practice, but I believe in a bit of everything. I believe that after death, the soul goes somewhere and waits for a new life or purpose. Life follows a predetermined course and the purpose of life is to live, love, learn, and die. All of lifes obstacles, and experiences occur for a reason, which is for you to learn from them. Basically, everyone is destined to live life a certain way and everything that happens is supposed to happen for your own good even if they dont seem positive or meaningful at the time. I believe that all people are equal and should treated equally no matter their height, weight, colour, race, religion, or anything else. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and nobody has the right to judge another by their differences. I live by many life philosophies, but one of my favorites is If you want a rainbow, you must put up with the rain. Other philosophies I believe are Dream as youll live forever. Live as youll die today, Whether you think you can or you think you cant, youre always right, We are all angels with one wing, who can only fly when holding onto each other, and Its nice to be important, but its more important to be nice.To achieve holistic wellness, I must fulfill the basic needs of each of the five selves. I think that I would need to improve my emotional self and self esteem the most to find holistic wellness. I find that my emotional self needs the most help because I tend to avoid and run away from conflicts rather than solving the problem. A method I could use to improve that area would be to express myself more and continuing to write journals. Talking to my parents might also help. I believe that my spiritual self is my strongest self. One reason for this is because there can always be expectations of the intellectual self, emotional self, social self, and physical self, but there are no limits or expectations for the spiritual self. The spiritual self is m ostly a feeling that doesnt need to be learned. To continue to improve each of my selves, I will try to get more sleep to clear my head so I can organize my wants, needs, and priorities. If my thoughts are less hectic, I can think better and therefore improve my selves. In conclusion, my physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual self are being used each and every day of my life, and therefore I need to take care of myself. .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa , .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .postImageUrl , .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa , .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa:hover , .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa:visited , .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa:active { border:0!important; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa:active , .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7a7ce946202f633160ec567092de6eaa:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Paper On The Book, Fences Essay

Obesity in Western Culture

Table of Contents Introduction Education and Obesity Money and Junk Food Obesity and Popular Culture Obesity in Saudi Arabia Conclusion Reference List Introduction Western society at the present is experiencing an epidemic of obesity where the poor, for the first time in history, are proportionately the most obese sector of the population. Evidence of this can be seen in the work of Cloake (2013) wherein his study shows that â€Å"nearly 33% of adults within the U.S. and the U.K. are obese with nearly 90% of those cases attributed to individuals with low incomes† (Cloake, 2013, pp. 24).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Obesity in Western Culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The main problem is that on average there are â€Å"nearly 300,000 deaths a year from obesity related illnesses resulting in billions of dollars spent on health problems such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure et c† (Cloake, 2013, pp. 24). This is a surprising concept given that excess body weight and fat is normally connected with the excessive eating habits of the rich. The problem with obesity among the poor has reached a point that international popular culture representations of Western society have depicted an unflattering image of its poor population as being â€Å"a culture for the morbidly obese with cartoonish representations often showing an obese man using a tiny scooter in order to line up at the nearest McDonald’s† (Menifield, Doty Fletcher 2008, pp. 83-88). Unfortunately, this representation of Western people is closer to the truth than most people realize. Junk food is the primary contributor to the obesity problem due its convenience and prevalence which has resulted in the current obesity problem that Western society now faces. Education and Obesity Habits developed early on in childhood have been shown to carry well into adulthood. As such, children wh o are currently overweight and have no educational awareness regarding their current health problems will be at risk for obesity as they grow older (Datar Nicosia 2012, pp. 312-337). Long term studies such as those by Yaniv, Rosin Tobol (2009) which looked at the factors related to obesity as children grew into adulthood noted that â€Å"the education of children and parents regarding the consumption of proper foods (i.e. no junk food) contributed greatly to lower rates of obesity among those that were more aware. In such cases, it was noted that the middle and upper class were less likely to develop cases of obesity as compared to the lower class due to the awareness of parents regarding the problems inherent in junk food consumption resulting in them feeding their children healthier options† (Yaniv, Rosin Tobol 2009, pp. 823-830). What the Yaniv, Rosin Tobol (2009) reveals is that education played an important role in determining rates of obesity with awareness equatin g into a lower likelihood of junk food consumption as parents sought better and less fattening options for their children.  Among those that have had the opportunity to learn proper eating habits through educational programs and proper schooling, it is often the case that they actively avoid junk foods and seek out healthier options when it comes to what they eat (Cale Harris 2013, pp. 433-452).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, â€Å"people who do not know any better, usually the uneducated poor, often consume junk food and eat more than what they actually need† (Cale Harris 2013, pp. 433).  The problem with junk food is that due to their convenience and serving size most people are not aware that on average they consume more than 3,000 calories a day from the various forms of junk food they eat (Devaux et al. 2011, pp. 121-159). An average adult male in the U.S. and the U.K. should consume only 65 grams of fat and 2,500 calories in a single day yet a burger and fries combo meal with a large coke available at the local McDonald’s is equivalent to more than 50 grams of fat and 1500 calories within a single sitting (Cale Harris 2013, pp. 433-452). As explained by Devaux et al. (2011), this would not be a problem should that be the only large meal that an average person would eat throughout the day, however, â€Å"this meal is supplemented by various chips, sodas and various other unhealthy options throughout the day which brings the total calorie count to 4,000 calories or more† ((Devaux et al. 2011, pp. 121). With diets often exceeding the daily allotted calories needed by the body, this results in a large proportion of the consumed calories to be turned into fat resulting in a person become obese over an extended period of time as they continue to consume more junk food. Money and Junk Food Through the study o f Datar and Nicosia (2012) which examined the food choice predilections of the poor, the middle class and the upper class, it was seen that the junk food, in the form of burgers, fries, shakes and other such types of food constituted a higher percentage of daily meals of the poor as compared to the upper and middle class. The main problem lies in the fact that the poor often have no choice but to eat junk food such as burgers and fries since it is the cheapest and most affordable choice that they can obtain (Datar Nicosia 2012, pp. 312-337). Healthy food that contains an appropriate amount of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins that is prepared within a restaurant is often quite expensive and out of the reach of the urban poor. Not only that, the preparation time and the effort necessary to cook vegetables and other nutritious forms of food at home increases the appeal of junk food since it comes already cooked and ready for consumption (Datar Nicosia 2012, pp. 312-337).Advertisin g We will write a custom essay sample on Obesity in Western Culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other end of the spectrum, the middle and upper class can afford a more diverse diet with healthier options and less fat resulting in lower rates of obesity for this particular segment of the population (Magid 2011, p. 13). Based on this, it can be seen that there is a distinct correlation between income levels and the prevalence of obesity in certain sectors of the population. Obesity and Popular Culture Studies such as those by Wallis (2004) have shown that obesity among the poor is not only caused by a lack of education and low levels of monetary income but also by popular culture influences through the media. On average nearly 10,000 TV ads appear within a given year which focus on promoting the products of various restaurants and companies. Children in particular are targeted by fancy commercials advertising sugary swe ets through the use of cleverly crafted cartoonish elements in the commercial itself. Wallis (2004) in his study shows that the poor, more so than the upper and middle class rely on television as their primary source of entertain. This is related to the lack of substantial levels of income for the poor that was mentioned earlier which results in limited options for entertainment. Since TV advertisements are an extension of popular culture it can be seen that popular culture is one of the primary reasons behind the obesity problem America now faces due to this patronage of products that are not only unhealthy but cause people to become obese as a result of their consumption (Wallis 2004, pp. 78-89). The power of advertising should not be underestimated since it has been shown that TV ads are one of the best ways to convince people to buy a certain product (Moodie et al. 2006, pp. 133-138). From this it can be seen that the causes behind obesity is not merely the fast food culture tha t western society find itself in but also the actions of various corporations that promote with wild abandon their products without taking into consideration the possible ramification on the population (Obesity in America: What’s driving the epidemic? 2012, p. 5). Obesity in Saudi Arabia When examining the case of Saudi Arabia there are two unique points of interest: the first is that country has only a few fast food establishments and the culture of consuming junk has yet to become prevalent, however, Saudi Arabia also happens to have one of the highest rates of obesity in the world with nearly 25% of the population being obese (Al-Rethaiaa, Fahmy, Al-Shwaiyat 2010, pp. 39-48). Based on an examination of the work of Al-Rethaiaa, Fahmy, Al-Shwaiyat (2010), the main source of obesity in the country was linked to its high rates of diabetes which was connected to the popularity of the consumption of sweet dates, high carbohydrate foods as well as the general lack of physical e xercise most people get.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Such a problem, as explained by Al-Rethaiaa, Fahmy, Al-Shwaiyat (2010), is due to the lack of education among the general population regarding the necessity of proper eating habits in order to prevent one’s self from getting fat. Conclusion In conclusion, it can be stated that education and income have a direct impact on the likelihood of a person becoming obese. With lower income levels an individuals food choices become limited which, when combined with low levels of awareness as a result of a lack of education, leads a person to make unhealthy food choices in life. Combined with the effect of popular culture through the media, this paper has proven that in order to avoid become obese it is necessary to both educate the poor regarding the foods they eat as well as provide a means for them to make healthier food choices. Reference List Al-Rethaiaa, A. S., Fahmy, A. A., Al-Shwaiyat, N. M. (2010) Obesity and eating habits among college students in Saudi Arabia: a cross secti onal study. Nutrition Journal, pp. 939-48. Cale, L. (2013) Every child (of every size) matters’ in physical education! Physical education’s role in childhood obesity. Sport, Education Society, 18 (4), pp. 433-452. Cloake, F. (2013) Our big fat fear. New Statesman, 142(5158), pp. 24-28. Datar, A., Nicosia, N. (2012) Junk Food in Schools and Childhood Obesity. Journal Of Policy Analysis Management, 31(2), pp. 312-337. Devaux, M., Sassi, F., Church, J., Cecchini, M., Borgonovi, F. (2011) Exploring the Relationship Between Education and Obesity. OECD Journal: Economic Studies, (1), pp. 121-159. Magid, J. (2011) Just Junk?. Current Health Kids, 34 (7), pp. 13. Menifield, C. E., Doty, N., Fletcher, A. (2008) Obesity in America. ABNF Journal, 19( 3), pp. 83-88. Moodie, R., Swinburn, B., Richardson, J., Somaini, B. (2006) Childhood obesity – a sign of commercial success, but a market failure. International Journal Of Pediatric Obesity, 1 (3), pp. 133-138. Obesity in America: What’s driving the epidemic?. (2012). Harvard Men’s Health Watch, 16(7), 5-7. Wallis, C. (2004) The Obesity WARRIORS. Time, 163 (23), pp. 78-89 Yaniv, G., Rosin, O., Tobol, Y. (2009) Junk-food, home cooking, physical activity and obesity: The effect of the fat tax and the thin subsidy. Journal Of Public Economics, 93(5/6), pp. 823-830. This essay on Obesity in Western Culture was written and submitted by user Harvey Cole to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.