Societal or individual behavior is inextricably linked to the community or individual characteristic traits, and behavioral traits are subject to case by case basis and the community, in question. When a given behavior is accepted in a society, the behavior becomes part of the societal norms and enables the prevalence of the behavior. However, if certain behavior is not condoned, but its prevalence is high or equivalent to alternative behavior the society in question considers a normal behavior, usually, the population outside the normal behavioral trend tend to have mutual support among the unpopular group. In turn, establish a common resolve for equitable rights against discrimination or unfair treatment. While considering behavioral factors on societal and communal level, on the individual level, for instance, obesity is a behavioral epidemic. An obese individual, BMI>30, is considered overweight, but an overweight individual, BMI >25, is not considered obese, yet in some cases, not too far from the condition (Schneiderman, Speers, Silva, Tomes & Gentry, 2010).

According to Schneiderman et al. (2010) obese or overweight individuals do not exhibit a higher level of psychopathological behavior than normal weight individuals. On the other hand, the authors indicated that obesity is correlated to mild depressed, low self-esteem etc (Schneiderman, Speers, Silva, Tomes & Gentry, 2010). Unfortunately, the assessment is culturally relevant to a given society, in question. Behavioral pattern is linked to societal and socioeconomic status and the community values assigned to the behavior pattern. For instance, in some cultures, overweight is attributed to high social class and wealth. On the other hand, skinny and stunt appearance is indicative of poverty or low social class (Monteiro, et al., 2010). In such cases, the unhealthy overweight behavior boost self-confidence and self-esteem, an opposite observation indicated by Schneiderman. In such cases or cultures, men may also show more sexual appeal for overweight women due to the societal values attributed to the behavior, such as socioeconomic status.

Although, scientific evidence has shown overweight and obesity as an unhealthy behavior, the cultural sentiment is changing, but it is still partially embedded in the socioeconomic status standards, in some cultures. Therefore, when a society as a whole enables behavior and aligns positive socioeconomic status to a given behavior it is harder to change the behavior. Thus, environmental factors in this aspect make obesity a prevalent condition of choice and not of necessity. In addition, the societal cultural shift makes certain needs a necessity rather than a choice. For instance, the decline of public transportation in the US cities over individual transportation system, and the choice therein for daily transportation is dependent on the community, in question (Schneiderman et al., 2010). Furthermore, the availability of online games are discouraging the importance of outdoor activities for kids and adults, the access for online shopping is also encouraging sedentary behavior, and when all these societal and cultural shifts are in place over the traditional or conventional behavioral norms without considerable change in diet consumption, the odd is that the prevalence of obesity and overweight will steadily increase above the normal rate.

In health science, interventions are designed to remedy a condition or situation. However, every intervention has a defined goal. Theoretical statement addresses and focuses the research question to a particular intervention outcome. Having a theory for an intervention help researchers to validate scientific research during the preclinical or clinical trial intervention studies because the research must address the theory or claim being examined in order to achieve a valid outcome or claim (positive or negative) (Green, 2013). In addition, theory allows medical practitioners, or researchers to understand the application of a given intervention, to whom it is applicable and on what condition such application ensures safety and efficacy in its application (Schneiderman, et al., 2010). Furthermore, behavioral pattern is also implicated in genetic variability of an individual. Therefore, factors affecting behavioral pattern is a multifactorial variable, and all the key variables must be taken into consideration in order to achieve a positive sustainable behavioral change.

References

Green, L. (2013). Policy and Theory

. PUBH 8115 2 Week 2 Media. Walden online resource. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?t

Monteiro, C., Benicio, M., Conde, W., Konno, S., Lovadino, A., Barros, A., & Victora, C. (2010). Narrowing socioeconomic inequality in child stunting: the Brazilian experience, 1974–2007. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 88(4), 305–311. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/88/4/09-069195/en/

Schneiderman, N., Speers, M. A., Silva, J.M., Tomes, H & Gentry, J.H.( 2010). Integrating behavioral and social sciences with public health. American Psychological Association, Washington DC