Cultural perspective

The cultural perspective considers obesity in relation to the values and norms present in a given culture. As cultural values change over time, the opinion on desirable body weight is also variable. This is particularly true for women. For example, in the 18th century, the ideal woman was sturdy, large, muscular, strong and fertile, but just a few decades later, there was a far greater preference for a weak, frail, pale woman whose duty became to bear children and obey her husband. In the mid-19th century, with the birth of the feminist movement, women regained their physical and mental strength - the Venus de Milo with her prominent features became a symbol of beauty. Health, harmony, well-being and vitality began to be valued. From the 1920s onwards, the relationship between woman and nature was emphasised, and it became fashionable to emphasise sexuality, which was accentuated by clothing (without a corset) and appropriate make-up. The period of the Second World War meant that women again had to be strong in order to work physically and take over most of the men's duties, and the 1950s forced, as it were - because of the need for a rapid birth rate - the idealisation of a well-built woman, able to give birth and feed children. At the same time, however, there was a parallel model of the lusty woman, exemplified by Marilyn Monroe. In the 1960s and 1970s, mainly due to models, the slim woman became fashionable again. In a way, this was related to women fighting for their rights again and becoming more like men in their appearance. The 1980s were characterised by three contradictory ideals of femininity: the healthy, strong, sporty woman (promoted by the media), the lustful and sexualised woman (promoted by pornography) and the slim woman with a boyish figure (promoted by fashion).

The current ideal of female beauty is a young, slim body. The idealised image of beauty promoted by the media is also reflected, for example, in the understatement of clothing sizes or the lack of attractive clothing on the market for slightly thinner people. Even the smallest increase in body weight is judged negatively, and women who deviate from the appearance of TV presenters and newspaper covers are considered unattractive and obese even when their body weight is within the norm.

Social perspective

The social perspective considers obesity in relation to the community in which the individual lives. The norm becomes that which is most common. Thus, if the majority of people in a group are characterised by excessive body weight, an obese person will not stand out from them. He or she is also unlikely to experience negative comments because of his or her appearance. However, when the same person finds himself in the company of thin people, his situation changes dramatically. She will differ from others in appearance and this is likely to be noticed and commented on.

There are many messages in society linking physical appearance to disposition. Some of these take the form of stereotypes and even prejudices. Thus, attractive people are attributed a number of positive qualities that they do not necessarily possess - greater intelligence, honesty, diligence, reliability. They are more easily and quickly forgiven for mistakes, more willing to help in difficult situations, more eagerly courted. On the other hand, obese people are considered lazy, incapable of self-control, undisciplined, careless and unambitious. Directly or indirectly, they receive the message that they are not accepted. Also, the cosmetic or food industry, for example, can highlight every sign of excess body weight (e.g. rounded shapes, increased cholesterol levels, feeling of fullness), as it has a direct interest in selling products that actually or allegedly help reduce excess weight. This causes the person considered by others to be obese to start attributing negative characteristics to themselves, which negatively affects not only their sense of self-attractiveness, but also their self-esteem.

The smallest social reference group is the family. This is where the strongest messages are formed about what is correct in terms of food and appearance and what is not. When obesity becomes a feature of a family, members of that family may identify with obesity and consider it a normal and even desirable state. This can make the motivation to lose weight much more difficult.