Essay On Chronic Illness

Gender differences as well as the change in lifestyle are among the major areas that can be identified to have an impact on the decisions being made in present societies. As gender differences in society frame, the individual’s or group’s thought process and beliefs, and further the actions are being made accordingly. Further, the industry researchers define that the changing social perceptions have contributed to the change in the manner the individuals interact within society and their living standards have changed.

 

 

Such changes in living standards have not only affected individual behavior but have also been a key reason for the increase in chronic illness within society. This discussion will focus on the key arguments being presented by Lorber & Martin (2007) and McMichael (2001) on the above-defined topics, and further, their views will be evaluated based on the research studies or viewpoints presented by industry authors in their studies or industry reports. 

 

McMicheal (2001) has defined that the change in the lifestyle has resulted in reduced physical activity, increased consumption of unhealthy food products, increased work stress as well as uneven distribution of economic and ethnic aspects within the society. Such has resulted in a negative impact on the health of individuals. The key health issue that has been identified by the researcher includes focusing on obesity, health disorders as well as increased chronic health risks. The researcher claims that as compared to past lifestyles individuals used to consume healthy food products and along with such, they used to have a physical workload which helped them in maintaining proper food intake and digestion. But in the present scenario, the individual despite being health-oriented fails to maintain their health level due to increased physical inactivity, as a result of the use of cars and technology.

 

Lorber & Martin (2007) has defined in their study that the formulation of the physique of men and women is not only dependent on their genes and biological factors but they are also shaped by the beliefs and practices of society. The researchers identify that there are various biological aspects which contribute to key differences in both genders i.e., their appearances, and their biological capabilities. But apart from their physical and mental strength as well as their abilities to perform in personal or professional life is highly influenced by societal beliefs and thought process. 

 

Focusing towards the criticism being presented by McMichael in his industry report it can be identified that the fat intake of individuals in their diet is continuously increasing which is one of the key reasons affecting their health as well as contributing to increasing cases of obesity. Such can be justified by the research reports being presented by the other researchers which reflect that obesity is a key health risk to be focused upon. Further, the researchers that the change in lifestyle as well as the global and economic pattern has further influenced societies to move towards rapid urbanization contributing to diet imbalance and further affecting their health in the society (Malik et al., 2012).

 

 

McMichael further has claimed that in society, the economic or the income aspect also plays a key role in changing the lifestyle of individuals. The researchers have undertaken an analysis of both the rural as well as the urban regions and based on such he has claimed that the mark of obesity is much more prevalent among the urban population. An industry analysis conducted by Sturm & An (2014) supports the approach that the income level of individuals has a positive impact on their fat intake and the increase in obesity. Focusing towards the example of America, the researcher reflects that Americans have the cheapest food available which is further contributing to the increase in the obesity level in society. However, such claims have been opposed by Drewnowski (2012), the researcher reflects that social inequality, as well as education in society, are the key factors for the increase in the level of obesity. As the lack of economic abilities within the society affects the individual’s ability to get nutritious food intake affecting their health status.

 

 

The article presented by Lorber & Martin (2007) reflects upon gender differences and the associated factors within society. The researcher reflects that thought of masculinity and feminism and their abilities are shaped by social beliefs and cultural values. Such can be identified to be supported by the industry researchers, as industry research conducted by Kossek et al. (2016) focused on the career options for women in society and has reflected that there has been a various push and pull factors within the society that has impacted the role of women in employment and entrepreneurship. However, the changing social perceptions towards women's career equality have resulted in changes in the organization's focus as well as their belief towards women's capabilities within society (Jewkes et al., 2015).

 

 

However, apart from that of social beliefs, Lorber & Martin (2007) reflects that biological factor, as well as genes, also play an important role in defining individual abilities. As the physical strength is much more aligned with that of the men’s strength and masculinity, as compared to women. Berenbaum & Beltz (2016) defines that such biological factors can be identified to have a major impact on masculinity and feminism in society. The study being conducted by the researcher reflects that the early hormone formulations among the individuals shape their psychological as well as mental beliefs and abilities in society.

 

 

McMichael further has reflected that the risk of obesity and health issues also varies considering gender differences. Kautzky-Willer et al. (2016) have defined that obesity is not only dependent on gender differences but is also dependent upon age as well as other related factors such as BMI as well as biology and cultural factors. Such differences in the biological factors and genetics affect the individual ability to food intake and further their mental health. 

 

 

Further McMichael in his research has critically reflected that the eating habits of individuals irrespective of their gender also act as a key barrier to their health effectiveness. As the habit towards smoking as well as the consumption of meat affects the individual’s ability and health status. Sidor & Rzymski (2020) has defined that the attitudes of consumers towards the choice of food and nutrient intake affect their health status. An industry study conducted by Aryal et al. (2013) reflects that such differences in eating habits within the society are also influenced by gender differences in society. As the consumption of tobacco and the habit to smoke is more common among males as compared to females in society. Accordingly, the researcher reflects that in society it is important to focus on an individual’s challenges to health and accordingly the decisions are to be made (Middleton et al., 2013). 

 

The overall analysis has been focused on evaluating and understanding the viewpoint of industry researchers with respect to the health risks, social behaviors as well as gender differences. Based on the conducted analysis it can be reflected that in the present society there are several factors that reflect upon gender differences, but such factors do not justify or define upon individual’s capabilities or abilities in society Further it can be reflected that in every society, the increasing health issues can have different factors associated which is to be evaluated and based on such the health promotion strategies are to be adopted.

 

Aryal, S., Diaz-Guzman, E., & Mannino, D. M. (2013). COPD and gender differences: an update. Translational Research, 162(4), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trsl.2013.04.003

 

 

Berenbaum, S. A., & Beltz, A. M. (2016). How early hormones shape gender development. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 7(1), 53–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.11.011

 

 

Drewnowski, A. (2012). The economics of food choice behavior: why poverty and obesity are linked. Nestle Nutrition Institute Workshop Series, 73(1), 95–112. https://doi.org/10.1159/000341303

 

 

Jewkes, R., Flood, M., & Lang, J. (2015). From work with men and boys to changes of social norms and reduction of inequities in gender relations: a conceptual shift in prevention of violence against women and girls. The Lancet, 385(9977), 1580–1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(14)61683-4

 

 

Kautzky-Willer, A., Harreiter, J., & Pacini, G. (2016). Sex and Gender Differences in Risk, Pathophysiology and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Endocrine Reviews, 37(3), 278–316. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2015-1137

 

 

Kossek, E. E., Su, R., & Wu, L. (2016). “Opting Out” or “Pushed Out”? Integrating Perspectives on Women’s Career Equality for Gender Inclusion and Interventions. Journal of Management, 43(1), 228–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316671582

 

 

Lorber, J., & Martin, P. (2007). The Socially Constructed Body Insights From Feminist Theory 1. In SAGE. https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/16568_Chapter_8.pdf

 

 

Malik, V. S., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2012). Global obesity: trends, risk factors and policy implications. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 9(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.199

 

 

McMichael, T. (2001). Human Fronters, environment and disease. Cambridge University Press.

 

 

Middleton, K. R., Anton, S. D., & Perri, M. G. (2013). Long-Term Adherence to Health Behavior Change. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7(6), 395–404. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827613488867

 

 

Sidor, A., & Rzymski, P. (2020). Dietary Choices and Habits during COVID-19 Lockdown: Experience from Poland. Nutrients, 12(6), 1657. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061657

 

 

Sturm, R., & An, R. (2014). Obesity and economic environments. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 64(5), 337–350. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21237