Did You Know What Are the Sociaeconimic Impacts If You Are Overweight?

Ironically, in the past, mainly those people on the upper rungs of society could afford to become overweight. An inactive way of life was a marker associated with socioeconomic success. Nowadays, the reverse is true. Believe it or not, research has demonstrated that obese executives get paid typically S$2, 000 less every year compared to their healthy body weight people.

Lower income groups tend to have weight problem than higher income groups

In technologically advanced societies, the elite are usually keeping themselves being youthful, fit and also lean. They have time and money to spend on the preoccupation with youth and physical attractiveness. Narcissistic as it can be, the cult of self-improvement will probably be with us for quite a while - at least until the post-World War II baby boomers find some other pursuit. In the US country alone, the fitness-related business netted an impressive S$70 billion in year 1985.

A study conducted in US showed that the prevalence associated with obesity was 7 times greater among the lower socioeconomic society compared to the middle and upper income classes. This corollary seems to be true as individuals who are fit and slim often enjoy greater wealth and social status. The writing is on the wall: financial and social achievement seems to be affected by body weight.

A very interesting profile of the "average" (admittedly serious) runner emerged from analysis of the entrants in the New York City Marathon some years back. Specifically, the regular runner was young (25-40), male, a university graduate often holding tertiary degrees, and earning a median income of S$80,000 per year. This is the profile of an important person - someone with the expertise and money to make his or her presence felt.

Choices of professions is limited

The well-educated, the wealthy, and also the upwardly mobile are staying fit, slim, and strong. On a more basic level, they are real economic drawbacks from the weight problems. The overweight or obese person usually find that their professions choices are limited. Several careers whereby public impression and physical appearance is important are usually not open to the overweight people.

Companies are usually not willing to employ people who are obvious health risks, and career advancement can be harmed by weight problems. Keep in mind that people often make judgments about individuals primarily based on their physical appearance. Unfair as it may be, appearance is normally associated with what we feel a person to be.

Extra spending on diet and medical bills

Overweight and obese individuals tend to spend money on weight loss diet and also on health care bills such as pills and even surgery. Besides, obese people also find that the cost of outfits, household furniture and even traveling can increase their daily expenses to a significant extent.