Perhaps one of the most obvious dieses that have populated the global population is one that has existed even in the ancient times. However, globalization has been propagated as one of the main culprit as it has changed the diet of the modern society. Alternatively, it has also instigated the world wide realization that such a problem is becoming a major health hazard so much so that if not rectified, it might actually do real harm to the modern society world-wide. Yes, I am taking about the phenomenon of obesity!
How is globalization linked to obesity? For one, globalization is alternatively known as McDonalization due to the hundreds and thousands of McDonalds springing up world-wide. Without fail, every modern city inherently has one it in. In fact, it has become a status of modernity (along with all others fast food joints) for most countries. Countries that do not have these joints were deemed as backwards thus often occupying the status of third world country. Through my observation (albeit internet-wise), countries like Laos and Vietnam do not have a single McDonalds. Already, these countries are not as economically prosperous as other countries thus this further supports the thesis mentioned.
In has been observed that majority of the obese people reside in modernized countries. In America alone, there is 33.3 % and 35.3% of its male and female (respectively) population[i] were obese. Though they can be considered a minority amongst the entire population, those numbers reflects on the harrowing population of the obese. Furthermore, America is the current leader of all modern state in economic sense (since the success of a country is mainly measure on economic aspect anyway). The term fast food joints were also invented in America which saw the birth of many which has since franchised globally.
This point was clearly depicted in the movie, “Super Size Me”, which saw Morgan Spurlock going through 30 days of a McDonald’s diet. He made his point when he himself indeed put on weight to the point of harming his health. This phenomenon is not only restricted to only America but also other modern countries where such joints reside harmlessly within short distance of residence areas. [ii]
Singapore isn’t spare since the inception of these joints (which has since become another social institution in its own rights) since 1967 when McDonalds opened its stores world-wide. Though relatively farfetched, it has indeed increased the number of the obese since then. Perhaps the main reason as to why consumption at such joints was because it was an American fast food joint. Their ideal of progress (which is linked to their economic success thanks to modernization in accordance to American standards) has materialized by patronizing such joints.
This is an interesting fact but it has been empirically proven that one in three Singaporeans are indeed obese[iii]. It got so bad that the government has to step in to prevent such global phenomenon from settling down in the Singaporean society.
The government has included steps such as the inception of TAF (Trim and Fit) Programmes in schools. By targeting this institution, it is hoping to educate the future Singaporeans about obesity thus preventing obesity from become a major health problem in Singapore.
Its military isn’t spared as well. In fact, it is the only country which has a training doctrine which is solely catered to the obese. This came in the form of Eagle Company in Basic Military Training School 1 where severely obese recruits undergo 6 months of Basic Training instead of the normal 3. This includes intensive physical training which is progressively increased to aid the recruits to prepare them for further military trainings and also hoping to educate them about the problems of obesity.
Though globalization has taken away some sovereignty of the nation-states, it has other means to regain control. That is, to fight the good fight against obesity.
October 24, 2008 at 6:59 pm |
[...] Ohhhhhhbeeeessse [...]