CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND RELATED STUDIES

According to World Health Organization (2009), obesity and overweight have

both been defined as the abnormal accumulation of excessive body fat which may be

harmful to health. Obesity simply involves over-eating which leads to any possible

diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies adults as overweight when

the BMI is equal or greater than 25 and obese when the BMI is equal or greater than 30.

Based on a studies reported by Bombak & Monaghan, 2017; Carryer, 2001;

Thomas et al. 2008 an individual living with obesity describe an increasing culture of

blame, amplified by media and public health messages. People experienced stigma and

discrimination in childhood as adolescents and as adults. Furthermore, half of the

individuals stated that they had been humiliated by health professionals because of their

weight size. An increasing culture of 'blame' against people living with obesity

perpetuated by media and public health messages.

On a previous research, people living with obese experience great vulnerability

and existential challenges as human beings (Overgaard, 2002). Living in a state of

unease between hiding and showing one’s body is like experiencing oneself as being

significantly different from others. Despite increased attention in practice and research

on how to reduce stigma and stereotypical thinking, research shows that obese people

still feel that they are less than fully human (Merrill & Grassley, 2008).

Obesity may contribute to poor mental and physical health, increase cost of

living, social problems, prejudice against obese and impaired school performance. A

more recent local study (2009) reported a higher overall prevalence of overweight and

obesity (21%) among adolescents in Metro Manila (Chan-Cua et al, 2009). In addition to
that those from upper socioeconomic status and studying in the private schools are at

higher risk to be obese.

Obesity has been linked to psychological and personal disorders such as

narcissistic, depression and suicide (Carpenter 2000). Higher rates of depression and

obesity have been found to occur in women more than men and among older people

living in poor socio-economic conditions (Apostolopoulou et al., 2012). Certain

medications, stress, sleep deprivation, and personal diet and physical activity choices

can also contribute to overweight and obesity (Wright & Aronne, 2012).

Currently, the majority of products in grocery stores are affordable, non-

perishable, highly processed, pre-packaged, and heavily marketed convenience foods

(Christakis & Fowler, 2007). These products can also be found in restaurants, fast-food

companies, and school cafeterias. Rather than supporting healthier diet options, food

prices and policies make the unhealthy choice the easier choice. These poor policies

and physical environments contribute to obesity rates. Increased sedentary behaviours

and less physical activity are also being supported and promoted. Less access to

physical activity, less physical education in schools, the increasing sedentary nature of

many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increased advances in

technology lead to less energy expenditure (Christakis & Fowler, 2007; WHO, 2014).

Lahey and Rosen (2010) furthered the research that nutrition affects learning and

behavior and suggested that diet can influence cognition and behavior in many ways,

which include the condition of not enough nutrition or the condition of the lack of certain

nutrients. About one-third of children who completed a food-habit questionnaire had

inadequate fruit and vegetable intake. These students also showed poor school

performance as compared to those students who had an adequate intake of fruits and

vegetables (Lahey & Rosen, 2010).

Li Dai, Jackson, and Zhan, (2008) examined the associations between academic

performance, cognitive functioning, and increased BMI. The researchers studied a

nationally representative sample of 2,519 children ages eight to sixteen years old. Each

participant had completed a brief neuropsychological battery and measures of their vital

signs. Children were then categorized as a participation group or nonparticipation

group. Hence, poor academic performance was not the cause of being overweight but

obese adolescents consider themselves worse student (Li et al, 2008).

Alaimo, Olson, Frongillo, and Briefel (2001) examined the relationships between

family income, food insufficiency, and health among US children. For this study, food

insufficiency was defined as “an inadequate amount of food intake due to lack of

resources” (p.782). A child was classified as “food insufficient” if the proxy reported that

the family either “sometimes” or “often” did not get enough food to eat.