How to Quit Smoking, Drinking and Prevent Obesity (While Watching the Simpsons)

Risk Factor

Bart – Overweight

Bart Simpson is a fictional character from the popular T.V. show, “The Simpsons.” He suffers numerous possibly life-threatening health problems which may be detrimental to his health both physically and mentally. Bart is the eldest of his three siblings and is a rebellious fourth grader who indulges heavily on junk food which ultimately may throttle him onto a path of obesity, much like his Dad, Homer.

There are a plethora factors that contribute to Bart’s growing weight problem. He spoils himself in fatty foods and drinks such as slushies, Krusty burgers, chocolates, sweets and chips. Apart from the occasional skateboarding and odd physical activity, he does seem to participate in physical sports or activities – lack of exercise. He mainly catches the bus to and from school rather than riding his bicycle and walking and this has aggravated his situation. Bart lives a “couch potato lifestyle” living for his favourite television programs including “The Krusty the Klown Show” and “Itchy and Scratchy”. This sedentary lifestyle is a catalyst to a deteriorated health when combined with his unhealthy, unbalanced diet.

Bart’s unbalanced diet, dominated by foods and drinks high in saturated fats, trans fat, sugar, salt and cholesterol, and lack of exercise, has led to an energy imbalance – “When the number of calories consumed is not equal to the number of calories used” (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 2007). Judging by his size, he seems to be overweight, increasing his susceptibility to a range of short-term and long-term risks which can affect him both physically and psychologically.

Bart has various health problems with his lifestyle. They pose many short-term and long-term risks both physically as well as psychologically.

The most immediate effects of obesity are usually psychological. Short-Term psychological health problems are –

• Low self-esteem – Bart is likely to do more poorly in his academic studies and become socially isolated amongst his peers. “Research shows that obese children feel that being over-weight is a worse disability than losing a limb.” (Healy 2004, p.12)
• Psychological distress – in a culture where overly thin people are considered more attractive than overweight, it is common for obese people to be targeted at school, the workplace and in general society. In turn, they may be teased, pinpointed and discriminated in school. A sense of uselessness and worthlessness sometimes arises.

There are various long-term consequences for his behaviour, apart from the increased chances of becoming clinically obese: