Obesity “Epidemic”

This week we talked about the obesity “epidemic” and the stereotypes that come with calling it an epidemic. I think that this links with my last post about definitions. What exactly is the definition of epidemic? According to dictionary.com an epidemic is something  “affecting many persons at one time, and spreading from person to person…” is this what obesity epidemic means? It makes it sound like something that you can catch from someone else. It further shows that what the perceived definition is makes all the difference in the message that something communicates. There are other definitions of epidemic, but I think that this one is the one that people think about when they hear the word. The rhetoric of obesity epidemic is so negative that it makes it almost seem unobtainable to think that it can be changed. I think that there would be many more people who would try to make a change in health issues linked with obesity if it didn’t seem so overwhelming and impossible to change. In chapter 10 of Everything’s An Argument it discusses definitions in casual arguments. It discusses how arguments focus on a very specific form of a definition to convey their message. This is true for “epidemic” because they want you to think of the worst possible connotation.

            MeMe Roth uses very abrasive language to voice her opinion about obesity in America. She attacks people who are overweight, and their choices. In an article that she wrote titled “Lies women tell about their weight,” Roth lays out reasons women say they are overweight, and then writes how they are wrong. Roth uses harsh language in her interviews. This makes the audience feel uncomfortable and mad at her. If she would use kinder language, she might me more likely to empower people to change, instead of just have people mad and questioning her. People would be more likely to see her points and agree with her if she used a less harsh approach. In chapter 10, they also say how when forming an argument people use probable rather than absolute conclusions. MeMe Roth does this by leading you to follow what she is saying and looking at only her side of the argument.

             The way something is presented makes all the difference in how it is perceived. Currently the way the “obesity epidemic” is being presented it makes it seem like it cannot be fixed. I think that it is very important to call attention to the situation, but I think that solutions need to be presented with the problems. They should say this is the problem, and here is how we want to fix it. It seems like the “obesity epidemic” is being talked about everywhere, but where are the solutions?