9781422288450

Weighing In: Defining the Problem / 23

associated with obesity and can be fatal. Additional conditions like

osteoarthritis, sleep disorders, psychological impairments, and reproductive

issues are also common problems associated with obesity. These conditions,

although not life threatening, can significantly interfere with one’s quality of

life and become real challenges for those affected.

Research Project

Think about what people today think is physi-

cally attractive. Are attractive people skinny,

muscular, or curvy? Is a lot of makeup consid-

ered appealing? Or maybe there is a certain type

of hairstyle that is popular. Now do some research into

what was believed to be physically attractive in the 1800s,

and compare it to what people believe to be appealing

today. How are the views different? How are they similar?

Text-Dependent Questions:

1. Why was it considered better to be heavier in

the early nineteenth century?

2. List three methods that experts use to deter-

mine if someone is overweight or obese.

3. Why is BMI not always accurate?

4. What are some of the health risks associated with obesity?