The American Body

All throughout the media, both foreign and domestic, Americans are portrayed as overly obese people. There are statistics all over the media explaining how America is the fattest country in the world. Obesity in America has been described as an epidemic. This sets up the stereotype across the world that Americans are fat people. When “Obesity in America” is googled, the above image is in the first line. Living in America, we know that not everyone here looks as these two ladies do. All that is seen in this picture is two obese people sitting on a bench. These people could be white or black or anything else, it is irrelevant. It is clear this isn’t a statement of race or socioeconomic status. The media uses stock photos like this to spread the stereotype that all Americans are fat across the world.

The major political aspect of obesity in America can be swayed however the specific media chooses. The majority of the messages sent to other counties are that Americans are fat and lazy people. This stereotype is common within European nations. The French in particular do not like America. They feel that they are superior and that Americans are just fat, stupid, and lazy people. The major source of this for foreign people is that they are jealous of America. America is the richest country in the world. We have the largest nominal GDP in the entire world. American is the land of opportunities. Foreign nations see Americans as lazy slobs to make themselves feel better about the country they live in. The foreign media perpetuates the obese American stereotype to help raise domestic moral. The truth is that all Americans are not fat and lazy, but the obese body is read to mean American all throughout the world.