Being a med student, I don't have a ton of time for T.V. watching. Even when I had time in a past life, I was more of a "go find something to do" girl. But after our exam today, I decided to catch up on Glee. I love Glee. I don't know why-- it has kind of a stupid story line-- but it makes me laugh. If you don't watch Glee: The main story line revolves around a show choir. The end.
Watching this week's episode however, a particular phrase stopped me in my tracks. (And by tracks, I mean couch.) The group was encouraged to write their own songs to perform. One of the heavier girls wrote a song called "Hell to the No". The song was actually rather cute until she said the following:
Tell me I should eat my wheaties
You know what? Hell to the no
Tell me I'd come down with diabetes
Hell to the no
Try to make me change my eats
But baby, that just isn't me
Now, don't get me wrong. I think it is imperative to provide good examples of positive body image to children young adults. I am a larger size girl myself, but that size is a healthy body weight for my height.
This song was not about body image. This song was blatantly saying "Screw you, Medical Evidence, I'll eat what I want.. F*** the consequences."
Unfortunately, I feel this is the opinion of the majority of our obese nation (and a message we should probably not be sending to children).
It's ok not to be a size 2 or a size 6, but it's not ok to eat without consideration to your health and be unprepared to reap the consequences.
To the left is a map from the CDC website depicting 2007 rates of diabetes and obesity in our country. There is at least a correlation here, people.
Shame on you, Glee.
CDC Map, Glee photo credit.
This is not a site for medical advice.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Obesity, A Series
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4 comments:
Hello,
it's Daniele Mannina from Viralbeat. Hope this mail finds you fine, I’d like to have a chat with you about something I believe you could be interested in.
If it is ok with you please contact me at this address: daniele.mannina@viralbeat.com.
Thanks.
Hey - I recognize those maps! I used them in several posts.
I feel you on the "no time for TV" issue. These days, I only watch Top Chef & Real Time with Bill Maher.
This is the second glee fail. Did you catch the episode from November 16th with the rather tasteless shots about bipolar conditions? We know assailing obesity and body image issues begins with a basic and early encouragement of healthy lifestyle.
http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/eating-disorder-organizations-encourage-healthy-lifestyle-13758.html
There is a good question I feel in this article though, will greater awareness and aggressive engagement of discourse about obesity cause a transference toward the other end of the ED spectrum?
Wow! Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. @Jen, I think we have eating disorders at both ends of the spectrum currently. I know there is a genetic and psychological component, but personally I think there is a HUGE education void in this country.
I grew up in a household of canned, packaged foods. My parents still eat out for EVERY meal. Every. Single. One. I'm a pseudo-vegetarian (I eat meat. Just refuse to cook it. Or touch it raw. Ew.) that cooks from scratch and (clearly--med student) understands the basics of human nutritional needs.
I really think a lot of people don't realize what they're putting into their bodies. I wish Jamie Oliver's food revolution was required watching by all school boards, parents, and kitchen staff. I wish all kids were taught about not only nutrition, but also how to cook! You can teach children how to prepare healthy snacks at a very young age! You can even teach them how to shop!
I'm getting fired up, I feel a blog post coming on :) Thanks for your comment!
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