Using Art History to Reduce Medical Stigma Regarding Obesity
Introduction
Dr. Michael Yafi suggests that studying how art has historically represented larger bodies could reduce bias among doctors and lead to better results for patients treating obesity.
Main Body
The way society views body weight has changed significantly over time. According to Dr. Yafi, a specialist at the University of Texas Health Science Center, being overweight was once a sign of high social status, wealth, and strength. For example, the 'Venus of Willendorf' from 30,000 years ago and the Greek god Pluto both show this trend. Furthermore, 29 out of 36 Ottoman emperors were obese, and during the Renaissance, women with more body fat were often used as beauty models. Detailed studies of famous artworks show that the 'Mona Lisa' likely had excess body fat, perhaps due to multiple pregnancies or a metabolic disorder. Similarly, portraits of composers Bach and Handel suggest they were overweight, which may have been linked to vision problems caused by type 2 diabetes. Dr. Yafi emphasizes that the obsession with extreme thinness and the negative stigma around obesity only became common in the late 20th century. He argues that if doctors recognize that obesity was once viewed positively, they can build a more empathetic and supportive relationship with their patients. Additionally, he believes that the facial thinning caused by new weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, will become a new topic for modern artists.
Conclusion
This proposal suggests that combining art history with medical training could remove modern prejudices against obesity and improve the quality of patient care.
Learning
🚀 Moving Beyond 'And' and 'But'
At the A2 level, we usually connect ideas with simple words. To reach B2, you need Connecting Adverbs. These words make you sound professional and organized. Look at how this text moves from one idea to another:
1. The 'Adding More' Shift Instead of saying "and," the text uses:
- Furthermore... (used to add a strong, new point)
- Additionally... (used to add extra information)
Example from text: "Furthermore, 29 out of 36 Ottoman emperors were obese..."
2. The 'Comparison' Shift Instead of saying "also" or "like this," the text uses:
- Similarly... (used when two things are almost the same)
Example from text: "Similarly, portraits of composers Bach and Handel suggest..."
🛠️ The 'B2 Power-Up' Guide
If you want to sound more fluent, swap your basic words for these B2 alternatives:
| A2 Word | B2 Upgrade | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| And | Furthermore | When you want to be formal/academic. |
| Also | Additionally | When adding a second or third reason. |
| Like | Similarly | When comparing two similar examples. |
💡 Pro Tip: The Comma Rule
Notice that these B2 words are almost always followed by a comma ( , ).
- Wrong: Furthermore it was raining.
- Right: Furthermore, it was raining.
By using these, you stop writing 'sentences' and start writing 'arguments'!