English Composition Essay Example for Free

English Composition Essay In the aspect of writing English composition, several rules and guidelines must be followed for the aspect of clarity, clearness, and understandability. This grammar rules are established to follow a clear and concise presentation of the ideas and concepts being communicated in each composition. Included in these guidelines and rules is the use of examples and how they are used to promote the main argument in each composition. In the use of examples in the English composition, several approaches are established to guide the use of this strategy for the clearness in the composition. First, is using example in a word or phrase employing short approaches towards the presentation. The second is through sentence-length examples, which are more specific as they employ the idea along with the specific example explaining the said concept. Third is through the use of extended examples, which are commonly to be an entire paragraph for more detailed explanation and presentation. For better composition, most writer use different styles and conjoined different approaches in a single essay for more detailed explanation of the main topic. For example, in the composition of John Head entitled â€Å"The Brutal Business of Boxing†, the author was able to clearly and specifically presents his topic and ideas through the use of both single word or phrase example and sentence-length examples. In most paragraphs, the author mentioned specific words to support his topic and in the others, he used the sentence-length examples, which includes the idea and the specific argument explaining the concept. Through this approach, the author has able to present clearly his main argument and reasons about his opinions towards the brutal nature of boxing explaining why the said act should be condone not as a sport but as an uncivilized fight in the society.

Words Expose the Soul :: Writing Education Language Essays

Words Expose the Soul When I was a freshman at Bemidji State I lived in the dorms. My roommates name was Chad. He had a girlfriend who attend Moorhead State. Her name was Jodi. I didn't get a chance to meet Jodi until very late in the year, around February. But up until that time, I had gotten to know her very well. The thing was that since they lived so far apart they didn't call each other until late at night. Most of the time, when she called, Chad wasn't there. It was actually quite ironic, Jodi's roommate was a girl that I graduated with. This led to many conversations, many that over a half an hour. I had seen pictures of her so I knew what she looked like, but I was starting to get a picture of what she was like as a person. I did this through observation of her tone of voice in certain situation, word usage, and overall temperament. By temperament I mean was she happy, sad, or confused in general. All of this gave me a pretty good idea as to what kind of person she was. One day in February I had the opportunity to find out exactly what she like. She came to visit Chad, and stay the night. This gave us a chance to talk face to face. It was very funny, because she was exactly like I thought she would be. I couldn't believe that I had gotten all of this information about her just by listening to the way that she talked. Some might say that a situation like this and one in where you read something are totally different, but I believe that they are very similar. Reading a piece of writing by a person that you do not personally know is the same as having a conversation with a person over the telephone that you have never met before. In both cases you try to get to know the person better by the words that they use. The means of communication makes no difference. One of the main difference between the reading and listening, though, is that when you listen to a person you can detect inflections and tones that a person uses while talking. When you read you have to rely on the author to provide you with the voice of the characters or maybe even himself.

Habit, Moral Character and Politics

According to Moore and Bruder (2005), our unique and distinctive capacity to reason was termed by Aristotle as virtue. There are two kinds of virtue – when we study or exercise our reasoning abilities, we are said to be intellectually virtuous. When we use our reasoning to moderate our impulses and appetites, we are said to be morally virtuous. According to Aristotle, virtue (whether intellectual or moral) is a matter of habit. Meaning, your moral character (or moral virtuousness) is based on your habits.What you do always (habit) will mold your character. For example, ever since I was young, my mother always taught us to give to the less fortunate (not necessarily money, food and neglected toys will do). Honestly, I was really not into it but I’d rather be forced to give something than look at the stern face of my mom. Hehe! Thus, giving eventually became a habit to me. And I must say, that habit help built the generous and helpful character that I have today. As for m oral character and politics, we must first talk about moral judgments.Moore and Bruder said that many moral judgments are also political judgments. For example: â€Å"Is it justifiable for a government to restrict its citizens’ liberty? † or â€Å"When, if ever, is fine and imprisonment legitimate? † Thus, to make right political judgments, a politician must have a strong moral character from which to draw his decision that will affect the state’s citizens. Both Plato and Aristotle believed that the state is a living being that has a purpose. To Aristotle, its purpose is to promote good life (happiness) for humans.A state politician must then have a strong moral character (or the political will) to do what is morally right to uphold the good life for the state’s citizens. Aristotle also said that a good politician or lawmaker will seek a political order where the citizens will develop the morally right (best) habits from which they will develop the ir own moral characters. All told, if you want a leader to advocate what is morally right for the citizens, then that leader should have a good moral character. Reference Moore B. & Bruder, K. (2005). Philosophy: The Power of Ideas. USA: The McGraw-Hills Companies.

Improving The Relationship Between The Police And The Public

Vanessa Fequiere Prof. Walsh PSC 201 Fall 2015 Improving the Relationship Between the Police and the Public There are many reasons why the police have a difficult time interacting with the communities they are supposed to protect and serve. These issues did not occur overnight however the string of police involved shootings throughout the United States seems to wedge a bigger gap between the pubic and the police, along with poor communication skills and lack of positive engagement with the community. Police officers deal with many types of people from different cultures and age groups and should be able to adapt no matter where they are. When these officers take an interest in the communities they patrol, there is generally a sense of peace, when officers don’t care and aren’t in sync with the residents residing in the communities the disengagement is apparent. By finding ways to improve the relationship and actually applying them, there may be a chance to bring a positive light back the police-community relationship. In order to bring the police and the public together, three specific areas need to be looked at, one being public relations efforts, the second is community service activities, and the third is community policing. Public Relation Efforts Being a police officer is a tough job and some members of the public don’t understand the challenges faced every day and the complexities of the job. They also make judgments based on the negative perceptions seen in theShow MoreRelatedCommunity Policing, Crime, Prevention, And Prevention1280 Words   |  6 Pageslate 1980’s entering the 1990’s, it focused on the needs of the community and building trust between the community members and peace officers. Community Policing addresses issues such as public safety, crime prevention, along with fear and social disorder (COPS, 2005). By addressing issues in law enforcement, they can implement organizational strategies, utilize partnerships and direct people to more public resources. Also, they find and use problem-solving techniques while trying to ensure the rightsRead MorePolice Influence On Society : The United States943 Words   |  4 PagesPolice Influence on Society The United States is one of the most civilized and structured countries in the World. Since the early settlers came to the new country and established settlements there has been a need for law enforcement. As most of the settlers immigrated from English colonies it is no surprise that law enforcement in the new world was modeled from English culture however, no matter if its United States or England government is the foundation of law enforcement. As such, policingRead MoreLaw Enforcement And The Community1529 Words   |  7 Pagessupport and cooperate. In a perfect world, the relationship between law enforcement and the community would be mutually beneficial and harmonious. However, it is not easy enforcing the law in today’s free society. Law enforcement officers face the best and the worst in humanity. The strained relationship between law enforcement and the community hinders the effectiveness of police officers. There are several approaches to improve the relationship between police officers and the community. Some of theseRead MoreTraditional Organizational Structures Of Policing Agencies1013 Words   |  5 PagesTraditional Organizational Structures of Policing Agencies The principle role of police organizations is to uphold and enforce the law. Police organizations achieve this by safeguarding life and property, maintaining public order, and through detecting and preventing crime. Policing at the state level is composed of separate police organizations. At the state level we have the City or Local Police, County Sheriff and State Police, also known as Highway Patrol or State Troopers. The U.S. government givesRead MoreBrooklyn, New York, Where A Lot Of Stars Were Born Or Raised?1473 Words   |  6 Pagesin many different aspects, but there still lack of communication with one another and lack of communication with the members of certain communities and the police. There are many things that could be done to improve these absences. There are three elements to meet the goal of improving communications, improvement of community member and police. They are keeping the whole city in mind, Find what you’re for, not what you’re against and making a mark. According to Mindy Thompson Fullilove to have restorationRead MorePerformance Budgeting Is An Integral Tool For Ensuring Public Management1625 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract Recently, the management of finances has become paramount than ever in both the private and public sectors worldwide.   Sound budgeting is hence an integral tool for any chances of success in all economic units including households. Budgeting has hence evolved to emphasize on how efficiently and effectively the public resources are utilized. Performance based budgeting is highly focused on results. The underlying concept in performance budgeting is the incorporation of policy statements,Read MoreHistorical Development Of Ethnicity899 Words   |  4 Pages How Historical Development of Policing in the United States Relates to Current Relationships between Police and Different Ethnic and Social Groups Student’s Name Institution Affiliation The effectiveness of law enforcement within communities is mediated by the type of relationships that exist between the police and community members. There should be harmony between the police and the citizens for there to be any meaningful law enforcement. The United States is a highly diversifiedRead MorePolice Brutality And The Police1585 Words   |  7 PagesPolice brutality and office involved shootings have sparked national debate and created a strain between police officers and citizens. Recently, there have been more home videos that display acts of aggression by police officers. These police officers often use excessive forces or a condescending tone towards people of color which is why there needs to be a better way to mend police and civilian relationship. People should be able to trust the police in their communities rather than fear them. PoliceRead MoreApplication Of Transforming Leadership Principles And Benefits For The City Of Suisun City Police Department1390 Words   |  6 PagesPractical Application of Transforming Leadership Principles and Benefits for the City of Suisun City Police Department Stephen M. Brown Charter Oak State College Author Note This paper was prepared for the Spring 2016 Public Safety Administration 499: Capstone, taught by Professor Thomas Fowler. Abstract This capstone paper explores how Transforming Leadership principles, as prescribed by Anderson, Gisborne, Holliday, et al. (2006), can be applied to a typical law enforcement agency in order toRead MorePolice Use Excessive Force On People And Mistreat Minorities1634 Words   |  7 Pageslikely to be mistreated by the police compared to other people (Dunnaville, 2000). Recent incidents have seen the police use excessive force on people and mistreat minorities. As such, the legitimacy of the police has been put under scrutiny and questioned. Many communities in the United States have demonstrated in reaction to recent incidents of police misconduct and excessive use of force. The people have lost trust in the police because of these issues. The police force has been accused of mistreating

Judicial Activism Vs. Judicial Restraint - 2718 Words

Judicial Activism Introduction When researching for texts written about Judicial Activism, one comes across various authors who wrote and published works about the topic. These works are mainly journals, pamphlet, brochures, newspapers, magazines, and articles. Before delving into the subject matter, Judicial Activism, it is important first to understand what judicial philosophy means. Judicial philosophy can be described as the way that a judge cognizes and interprets the law. Even though laws are universal, they should be applied to particular cases with unique conditions. To conduct this, the law is interpreted by the judge, who determine its meaning and at times the intention of people who wrote it. Among the major types of judicial†¦show more content†¦Judicial activism critics in America claim that the law courts mustn’t assume the authority to intervene in issues that involve ethical and political decisions, thereby disregarding the democracy’s fundamental principles. Contrariwise, a court is, on occasion, considered exaggeratedly restrained and passive the moment it refrains from defending the rule of law at large and individual liberties. This paper’s goal is to look at the various dimensions of judicial activism, for instance, its history and the cases supporting it. It will also look into how judicial activism plays a role in the government, and why there is a necessity for more judges who are activists. The paper will also compare judicial activism with judicial restraint as well as explain which philosophy among the two is more preferable. Judicial Activism As stated earlier, judicial activism is when a court doesn’t confine itself to an interpretations of laws that is reasonable, but rather create laws. Thus, judicial activism refers to judicial rulings assumed to be based on political or personal considerations instead of on the existing law. As seen, the judicial activism essence is when a decision of a judge in a case is grounded upon her political or personal social beliefs, instead of interpreting the law as it is. Basically, the judge alters the law. Rather than saying a certain behavior

Conflicts in Hills Like White Elephants - 1539 Words

Conflicts in â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† The story begins with a man known as the â€Å"American† and his girlfriend sitting at a table outside of a train station. The station is surrounded by hills, trees, and fields in Spain. The couple is waiting for the next train to Madrid. Throughout the story there is an inner conflict with the girl as well as an external conflict between the girl and the American. They speak of an operation that must be done for them to be happy together. This couple is at a critical point in their lives when they must decide whether or not to have an abortion. The train they are waiting for is an express train, which means once she gets on it there is no turning back. The girl views having the child as a blessing and†¦show more content†¦He tells her that she does not have to have the operation, but tells her it is the best thing to do. The girl begins to think, â€Å"And if I do it youll be happy and things will be okay like they were and youll love me† (Hemingway 107)? He r eassures her that he loves her now. Jig is more realistic about the situation and the consequences in front of her. She knows that she is going to make the ultimate decision, although she is asking for reassurance from the American(Short Stories for Students). The girl also knows that regardless of her situation, their relationship might not work out anyway. The choice to abort or not abort the baby ultimately leaves her with the same consequence: life without the American. The girl continues with â€Å"Then Ill do it. Because I dont care about me† (Hemingway 108). Saying she will do the operation in hopes of saving their relationship. â€Å"The girl stood up and walked to the end of the station†(Hemingway 108). She begins to look around at the scenery and wonder if they could really be happy after the operation. The man states that he does not want anyone but her, and he does not want anyone else because he knows it is perfectly simple (Hemingway 108), meaning that he does not want the baby, he only wants her. The girl then makes the American promise her to stop talking and changes the subject by ordering another beer. The waiter tells the couple that the train will beShow MoreRelatedHills Like White Elephants Conflict Analysis795 Words   |  4 Pagesconstruct a conclusion towards the plot of any reading. Incidentally, the short story, â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway exemplifies the cohesive idea of being concise w ith their chosen words. Author Ernest Hemingway, expresses the quarrel between the main characters about one life changing solution that leads the reader to imply the struggle they’re endearing. However, throughout any context, conflict can strongly influence the plot of the story through 3 main ways: man vs. man, man vsRead MoreConflict Between Two Characters : Hills Like White Elephants863 Words   |  4 PagesCause of Conflict Between Two Characters: Hills Like White Elephants In Hills Like White Elephants, Ernest Hemingway tells a vague yet concentrated story about a crisis in a couple’s relationship that is left open for the reader’s interpretation. The story opens at a Spanish train station, with a brief description of the scenery at the river Ebro and the white hills that lay behind it. An American couple have drinks at the bar while awaiting their train, bickering about seemingly nothing. The twoRead More Communicating Conflict in Ernest Hemingways Hills Like White Elephants 1262 Words   |  6 Pages   Ã‚   Ernest Hemingways short story Hills Like White Elephants touches on an issue as ageless as time: communication problems in a relationship. He tells his story through conversations between the two main characters, the American and the girl. Conflict is created through dialogue as these characters face what most readers believe to be the obstacle of an unexpected pregnancy. Their plight is further complicated by their inability to convey their differing opinions to each other. Symbolism andRead MoreVdcdc1715 Words   |  7 PagesThe White Elephant? Have you ever been forced to make a life altering decision? A decision where you much choose one option or the other? The short story Hills Like White Elephants depict a situation in which many, if not all readers can relate to at one point in their lives. The author Ernest Hemingway describes this scenario with a young couple who are at a crossroads in their life, and they are unsure of the future. The young couple are forced, but shying away from the rather large â€Å"white elephantRead Moreâ€Å"the Lottery† and â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† Essay881 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Lottery† and â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† Regardless of the type of society people live in controversial topics and cowardly individuals can create conflict. The stories â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson and â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemingway implement this concept. â€Å"The Lottery† is about a small town that holds an annual lottery in which the winner will be killed. â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† is the story of a couple’s discussion over the decision they must make of whether orRead MoreCritical Analysis of the Short Story ‘Hills Like White Elephants’ by Ernest Hemingway.1497 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of the short story ‘Hills like White Elephants’ by Ernest Hemingway. Word Count: 1367 Hills like White Elephants – Ernest Hemingway â€Å"Will Jig have the abortion and stay with the man; will Jig have the abortion and leave the man; or will Jig not have the abortion and win the man over to her point of view?† (Hashmi, N, 2003). These are the three different scenarios that have been seriously considered in Ernest Hemingway’s short story, â€Å"Hills like White Elephants†. Ernest Hemingway is aRead MoreComparing The Lottery and Hills Like White Elephants Essay805 Words   |  4 PagesComparing â€Å"The Lottery† and â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† â€Å"The Lottery† written by Shirley Jackson is a story based off of its point of view, the story would not be told or understood in the same way if it was written in a different point of view. This story keeps the interest of its readers because it has a point of view where only the people in the story know whats going to happen and know more information than the readers do. If this story was written in first person the readers would knowRead MoreHills Like White Elephants By Ernest Hemingway1446 Words   |  6 PagesErnest Hemingway’s short story â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† explores the topics of abortion, sex before marriage, and feelings of separation. There are many different points of view one can take on Hemingway’s work. The main literary analysis that will be explained is the significance of the title and how it is layered into the story in various places. In addition to this, the narrator’s point of view will also be discussed since it plays a role in bringing the characters together. Lastly, it willRead MoreThe Old Man And The Sea885 Words   |  4 Pagesstories. Ernest Hemingway author of â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† and other works, such as, â€Å"A Farewell to Arms† and â€Å"The Old Man and the Sea† has made many accomplishments throughout his writing career. His novel â€Å"The Old Man and the Sea† won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953. Hemingway also received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954. Hemingway’s works are great examples of stories that displays the five stages of fiction. â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† was published in 1927 in Hemingway’sRead More Comparing Hills Like White Elephans by Ernest Hemingway and Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald1562 Words   |  7 PagesComparing Hills Like White Elephans by Ernest Hemingway and Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald At first glance it seems that the two short stories â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemingway and â€Å"Babylon Revisited† by F. Scott Fitzgerald have absolutely nothing in common other than being

The Future of Biopsychology-Obesity free essay sample

Academic Integrity: All work submitted in each course must be the Learner’s own. This includes all assignments, exams, term papers, and other projects required by the faculty mentor. The knowing submission of another persons work represented as that of the Learner’s without properly citing the source of the work will be considered plagiarism and will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the work submitted or for the entire course, and may result in academic dismissal. PSY5106Dr. Nicol Moreland BiopsychologyAssignment 8 Faculty Use Only The Future of Biopsychology- Obesity Consuela Kelly-Crisler Northcentral University Biopsychology PSY5106 Dr. Nicol Moreland December 9, 2012 A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20% or more above normal weight. The most common measure of obesity is the body mass index or BMI. A person is considered overweight if his or her BMI is between 25 and 29. 9; a person is considered obese if his or her BMI is over 30. Morbid obesity means that a person is either 50%-100% over normal weight, more than 100 pounds over normal weight, has a BMI of 40 or higher, or is sufficiently overweight to severely interfere with health or normal function (What is Obesity? 2012). Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or she burns. For many people this boils down to eating too much and exercising too little. But there are other factors that also play a role in obesity. People tend to gain weight as they get older, even if they don’t alter their eating habits. This is because the human metabolism slows down as we age. We don’t need to take in as many calories as we used to in order to maintain the same weight. Therefore, we store more of the food we take in as fat. Women tend to be overweight more often than men because men tend to burn calories at a higher rate (What is Obesity? 012). Obesity and thinness seems to have a have a nature versus nurture component. If a patient’s biological mother is heavy as an adult, there is approximately a 75% chance that she will be heavy. Likewise, the children of thin parents have a 75% chance of being thin (What is Obesity? 2012). This doesn’t mean that the child of obese pa rents has to be obese, though. Many find ways to keep the weight off. Genetics are important, but lifestyle choices such as eating and exercise habits are, too. Less active people tend to require less calories than more active people; they don’t need as much fuel because they’re doing less work. Physical activity also causes the body to burn calories faster on average, and decreases appetite. People exercising less is thought to be a leading cause of obesity over the last 20 years. Psychological factors also influence eating habits and obesity. Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger. People who have difficulty with weight management may be facing more emotional and psychological issues; about 30% of people who seek treatment for serious weight problems have difficulties with binge eating. During a binge-eating episode, people eat large amounts of food while feeling they cant control how much they are eating. (Obesity Facts, 2012) Obesity can be caused by illness, though people blame more cases of obesity on illness than is actually true. Illnesses sometimes responsible for obesity include hypothyroidism (poorly acting thyroid slows metabolism), depression, and some rare diseases of the brain that can lead to overeating. Social factors, including poverty and a lower level of education, have been linked to obesity. One reason for this may be that high-calorie processed foods cost less and are easier to find and prepare than healthier foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits. However, the link between low socioeconomic status and obesity has not been conclusively established, and recent obesity research shows that childhood obesity, for instance, is also increasing among high-income groups. The best methods of obesity treatment are dieting and physical exercise. Obese people should adjust their diet to reduce fat and sugar consumption, and increase dietary fiber. Anti-obesity drugs can also be effective in conjunction with a healthy diet, reducing one’s appetite and/or fat absorption. Some obese people require stomach or bowel reduction surgery in order to lose weight. The smaller stomach allows them to consume less food and still feel full. Obesity is a leading worldwide cause of preventable death, and authorities view it as one of the most serious health problems of this century. While in some cultures, obesity is a sign of prosperity and childbearing, in the Western world, it is frequently viewed negatively. While whether to consider obesity as its own separate disease is a matter of some debate, it is certainly a factor in many physical and mental ailments. Obesity is associated with angina, myocardial infarction and between 21 and 34% of ischemic heart disease, depending on which research you read. Body-mass index levels associated with obesity also double a person’s risk of heart failure and deep-vein thrombosis and cause over 85% of cases of hypertension (five times the normal risk). Obesity is also associated with higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of HDL. Obesity also has a variety of dermatological affects, including stretch marks, acanthosis nigricans, lymphedema, cellulitis, hirsutis and intertrigo (Bray, 2004). Obesity has also been shown to be linked with type 2 diabetes in 64% of cases in men and 77% of women’s. Sixty percent of patients diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome are obese, as are six percent of the infertile. Obesity is related to many complications in pregancy, including hemorrhage, infection, increased hospital stays for the mother and increased NICU requirements for the infant. Obese women are twice as likely to require a Cesarean section and are at a high risk of preterm births and low birth weight infants. Children born of obese women have a greater risk of anencephaly and spina bifida, cardiovascular anomalies, including septal anomalies, cleft lip and palate, anorectal malformation, limb reduction anomalies, and hydrocephaly (Haslam, 2005). Obese women have a nearly double risk of stroke compared to normal-weight women, while men have twice as great a chance. Those who are obese have a rate of dementia 1. times greater than those of normal weight. Women obese at the age of eighteen have a greater than double chance of contracting multiple sclerosis. Obesity has also been shown to cause approximately five percent of cancers, including breast, ovarian, esophageal, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, gallbladder, stomach, endometrial, cervical, prostate, kidney, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and multiple myeloma (Bray, 2004). In addition to these physical effects, obes e people are less likely to get married and make thousands less than their normal-weight counterparts, on average. Depression is also linked to obesity, though an increase in BMI has been linked to a decrease in the risk of suicide. Several studies suggest that many physicians treat obese patients differently. In a 1969 survey of physicians, obese patients were described as weak-willed, ugly, awkward, and self-indulgent. In a more recent physician survey, one of three doctors said they respond negatively to obesity, behind three other diagnostic/social categories: drug addiction, alcoholism, and mental illness. A comparable study found that two-thirds of doctors believe obese patients lack self-control, and 39 percent feel they are lazy. Two studies of nurses showed similar results. These attitudes carry over into the work world, where a job or a promotion is often denied simply because of how much one weighs. Obesity research and treatment is a very provocative subject. A 2011 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association proposes that states consider removing obese children above the 99th percentile from their homes. The author views temporary foster care as part of the remedy for childhood obesity by providing an environment where the children would be exposed to proper nutrition and activity levels. During the separation period, the parents could also be educated on the best ways to assist their child in coping with their issue. Due to the relationship between obesity and low income (low income families can’t easily afford nutritious food, and low earners are often distracted from their family issues, whether by a second job, or by concerns like drug or alcohol abuse) and education (low income families usually aren’t as educated, which bleeds over into health issues like obesity) this solution seems severe but grounded in science. Detractors point out that the home environment is only one contributing factor to obesity, and that a child’s obesity isn’t automatically considered abuse under the law. They cite studies showing that children get more of their food away from home, limiting the influence of even educated and involved parents. Also, neither the potential effectiveness of the proposal in terms of reducing obesity or the potential harm to the family unit caused by the removal have been substantiated. Psychological damage could in fact be inflicted, both to the parents and child, by causing them to feel at fault for the obesity. This could lead to self-esteem issues, depression and more. This is without even taking into consideration the harm done by taking a child away from his or her parents, even on a temporary basis. Another treatment, as novel as the last if not as heavy-handed, is the potential for virtual-reality treatment of obesity. Virtual reality, also being used to treat psychological disorders like anxiety and addiction, allows clinicians to offer exposure therapy in the comforts of their own offices without the problems sometimes posed by actual exposure. The benefit to the patient comes from being in a safe environment where they can let themselves connect emotionally with the treatment. Virtual reality has already been shown to induce a variety of controlled changes in the body, to include the sensation of a fake limb or an out of body experience. Researchers have even used virtual reality to give male subjects the feeling of being in a female body. From this point, its only a small leap to giving an obese person the sensation of being in a a normal-weight body. In one experiment, scientists discovered the neural systems involved in VR improvement of body image. This, combined with an adaptation of therapy used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, is being used the help patients identify and change habits contributing to eating disorders and obesity. The first twenty minutes of the VR sessions are used for the therapist to get an understanding of the patients concerns and experiences related to food. The patient does most of the talking, while the therapist guides the session. The second twenty minutes are devoted to the actual VR session. The simulation can create a number of environments, like a classroom, apartment, or pub, to recreate some of the experiences the patient detailed to the therapist. The simulation also includes a body-image room, where the patient can create an ideal VR body and compare it to their real one. The last twenty minutes are used to discuss the patients VR experience. In terms of ethical considerations, the first needs to be how much the government, communities and families are obligated to ensuring obese people get the treatment they need. It is very easy to dismiss obese people as having â€Å"done it to themselves,† since many cases could simply be prevented by eating better and exercising more. Mental illnesses are, by and large, viewed differently by much of the public than physical ailments. A person who doubled in size due to a war injury that prevented them from exercising, for instance, would likely garner more sympathy than a person who simply doubled in size because they went to McDonalds four times a week. This, of course, influences the discussion on how much the government should be obligated to pay for medical care of the obese. Much like the arguments against smokers being covered by public assistance against the effects of their bad habit, a case can be made for whether tax dollars should pay for an obese persons weight-reduction surgery or triple bypass. While the legitimacy of these concerns can probably never be agreed upon yet by the majority, the governments responsibility to educate people on preventative measures and healthy choices cannot be minimized, and the effects of those programs should not be overlooked. Some scientists acknowledge the responsibility of the obese for their conditions, but believe that it should only be a treatment focus if it did not harm the patients mental health. Those scientists also take issue with the public opinion stigma against obese people, due to the additional burden it places on patients. In the Western world especially, obese people are often considered lazy, overeaters or both. It is not ethical to assume this is true in all cases, those researchers say, and not ethical to create policy or legislation based on those assumptions, either. Those assumptions can only be used positively in the shaping of preventative suggestions (anyone will benefit from more exercise and better eating, obese or not, so its acceptable to suggest them to everyone). Another consideration is what obese patients themselves consider acceptable in terms of treatment. Studies sow that obese adults prefer interventions that are non-commercial, dont fall back on common stereotypes and promote lifestyle changes (health initiatives and exercise) rather than simple weight loss (dieting, bariatric surgery). Care should be taken to ensure that treatment of obese patients does not impact their mental health negatively, by reinforcing social stigmas, negative self-image, instilling disregard for the positive social and cultural aspects of eating, disregarding the patients privacy and personal freedom in decision-making. One model, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics stewardship model of public health, recommends public programs that do not attempt to coerce adults to lead healthy lives, minimize introduction of interventions with-out consent; and minimize interventions that are unduly intrusive and in con? ct with personal values. The stewardship model also incorporates an intervention ladder, ranging from ‘no intervention’ to ‘eliminating choice’ altogether. Eliminating choice, under this model, would be reserved for serious public health issues, such as an infectious patient requiring quarantine in order to ensure the safety of the general population—someth ing obviously more serious than an obese patient. Restricting choice would take the form of removing unhealthy ingredients or foods from stores and restaurants (as in the recent limit on the size of fountain drinks in New York City). Guiding through disincentives or incentives is on another level of the spectrum, by making it not worth a persons effort to do something, or vice versa—higher medical insurance premiums for obese people who are doing it to themselves, for example. It is a model that clearly illustrates ways in which the government can support public health without becoming overbearing and infringing on peoples rights. In summary, obesity is a major public health issue with far reaching consequences to a fair majority of the population. It is detrimental to those who suffer from it, both mentally and physically. Its physical effects are literally a head-to-toe list of increases risks of illness and injuries. Its mental effects include damage to patients self-image, which can bleed over into how the patient deals with work, social situations, parenting and every other aspect of life. There are numerous factors involved in an obese persons condition; genetics, upbringing, cultural values and mores, living environment and socio-economics. Some people become obese due to pre-existing medical concerns, while others achieve the condition by eating the wrong things and not exercising enough. Once they do reach an obesity-qualifying body-mass index level, they can expect (in the Western world, at least), they can be expected to be held responsible for their condition no matter how it was reached, and to be treated differently simply because theyre not at a normal weight. Treatments for obesity range from the tried-and-true to the newfangled and from therapeutic to overbearing, with varying degrees of efficacy. Some involve the government, while others simply a life coach, dietician or trainer. Opinions on how to handle obesity fall at varying points on a wide spectrum. The most logical source of information on how obese people should be treated—obese people themselves—tend to prefer an approach that helps them change their lives as a whole in order to lose weight and prevent harmful behaviors, rather than one that consists merely of a change in diet with no measures against become obese again at a later date. The ethical concerns in treating obesity include how to best treat obesity without making the patient feel worse about their problem and how much responsibility should be borne by someone other than the obese person themselves (i. . , the government). Future treatments for obesity may very well take a more holistic approach rather than simply tackling the separate components of diet and exercise. Scientists have taken steps toward mapping the areas of the brain involved with impulse control and self-image, and developing ways of modifying behaviors using this information may prove useful in stemming the tide. Similar discoveries may fuel new ways of educating people on how to prevent obesity in the future as well, rather than only ways of reversing it after the fact. And of course, the more understanding we have of obesity and its causes, the more tolerant and accepting we should become as a whole towards people suffering from it. References What is Obesity? (2012) Retrieved December 7, 2012, from http://www. webmd. com/diet/what-is-obesity Bray GA (2004). Medical consequences of obesity. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. Haslam DW, James WP (2005). Obesity. Lancet Childhood Obesity Prevention. (2012). In Root Cause. 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