This paper examines obesity in the United States through two complementary lenses: a broad sociological background on the causes and demographics of the obesity epidemic, and a firsthand interview with an obese man encountered at a South Florida mall. The background section discusses nutritional quality, farm subsidies, income disparities, and the healthcare costs associated with obesity. The interview narrative follows one man whose journey from active construction worker to disability recipient illustrates how physical injury, depression, and reliance on cheap processed food can accelerate severe weight gain. Together, the two sections demonstrate how macro-level social forces manifest in individual lives.
For this assignment, I interviewed an obese individual from the South Florida area. Finding a suitable subject proved more difficult than expected. It was a challenge not only to identify an appropriate person, but also to approach them without being insulting or making them feel uncomfortable about their condition. Although I am familiar with some obese individuals through my network of friends and family, I chose to select someone I did not know, so there would be slightly less personal pressure to avoid causing offense. Obesity is a sensitive subject for many people, and I was personally concerned that approaching someone within my social network might create awkwardness or tension for those relationships.
To work around this, I tried to frame the interview in a way that focused on "lifestyles" rather than on weight or physical condition directly. This framing, I hoped, would make it easier for an obese person to speak freely. With that in mind, I went to a local mall to find a willing participant. I asked potential subjects whether they would help me with a class assignment by letting me interview them about their lifestyle. This paper provides a background on obesity in American society and then connects that context to the specific information gathered during the interview. The problem of obesity is fascinating on multiple levels — from a societal perspective as well as from the standpoint of the individual.
The development of high obesity rates in industrialized countries stems from a variety of factors — those related to nutrition, those tied to lifestyle choices, and those likely rooted in genetic predispositions that make certain individuals more prone to weight gain. Americans enjoy the lowest-cost food supply in the world and spend the smallest proportion of their disposable income on food. For years, this was regarded as a triumph of capitalism and economic efficiency. However, the situation is more complicated than it appears.
Most of the low cost of U.S.-produced food is a result of greater production yields, higher efficiency rates, and massive farm subsidies that reduce the price of certain products. Yet many of these foods are nutritionally poor. It is estimated that approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Obesity rates are disproportionately higher among certain demographic groups, including African American and Hispanic populations, people living in the South, and older adults. Income also plays a significant role: although mass-produced food is relatively cheap, eating a healthier diet rich in organic and locally sourced products is considerably more expensive.
Therefore, having the lowest-cost food supply in the world is not quite as attractive as it might initially seem. Many of the true costs of cheap, unhealthy food go unaccounted for. The U.S. healthcare system is among the most expensive in the world, and costs continue to grow at an alarming rate. Obese individuals have a significantly greater chance of developing obesity-related conditions such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. The supply of cheap food must therefore be considered alongside the burden it places on the healthcare system and the reduced quality of life it contributes to for millions of Americans.
I visited a local mall and spent some time people-watching in one of the central courtyard areas — an open space where many shoppers could be observed as they moved through the mall. It was honestly intimidating to approach a stranger with my interview request. My first two attempts failed. I approached a fairly obese middle-aged woman who was walking and asked whether she could help me with a school assignment; she responded with a polite "sorry, I don't have time." A similar exchange with an elderly man produced the same result.
I returned to the seating area to regroup for a few minutes. Shortly after, a middle-aged man wheeled into the seating area on one of the personal mobility scooters commonly advertised on television. I immediately sensed that this person might not only have time to spare, but would also be a particularly compelling interview subject given the background research I had already conducted. The man was so obese that he appeared unable to fit properly on the scooter, which looked barely sturdy enough to support his weight.
I introduced myself as warmly as I could and asked if he had a few moments. Surprisingly, he responded very favorably: "Sure, what's going on?" I explained that I was a student with a class project and needed someone to interview about lifestyles. He cordially agreed to help, estimating it would take no more than five or ten minutes. We exchanged names and handshakes and made a little small talk before the formal interview began.
My first question was open-ended: "Can you tell me a little bit about your current lifestyle and what brings you to the mall today?" I was hesitant to raise his weight directly and was hoping he would address it on his own. He explained that his trip to the mall was for leisure — he had nothing specific to buy, and even if he had, he was on a limited budget. It seemed that the appeal of the mall was simply the opportunity to be in a public place among other people. He did not mention his obesity at this point.
My next question concerned his employment. He explained that he had been placed on disability four years earlier and now received a monthly allowance from the federal government. He described living a modest lifestyle and said he genuinely tried to make the best of his situation. Without a job to report to, he filled his time with various activities — the mall visit being one of them.
"Injury, disability, depression, and weight gain"
Although the background research provided an interesting foundation for understanding the obesity epidemic, hearing one person's story puts the problem in an entirely new perspective. When the interview concluded, I thanked him and walked away. Glancing back, I noticed him sitting contentedly, watching other shoppers pass by. The macro-level statistics on nutrition, subsidies, healthcare costs, and demographics are essential context — but it is the lived experience of individuals like this man that reveals the full human weight of the crisis.
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