NURS 521 WEEK 3 (Contemporary Issue Position Essay) ETHICS IN HEALTH CARE ESSAY WEST COAST UNIVERSITY

Running head: CONTEMPORARY ISSUE POSITION ESSAY 2
Contemporary Issue Position Essay
Why We Need to Stop Labeling Behaviors Influencing a Person’s Weight “Ideal or
Healthy”
This essay discusses the ethical argument regarding workplace health incentives for
employees based on health biomarkers such as Body Mass Index. The article argues that labeling
behaviors such as this reinforces oppressive ideologies of healthism. The term “Healthism”
refers to a set of attitudes and beliefs that health is depicted by appearance. Healthism puts the
sole responsibility of health on the individual and does not acknowledge other determinants.
These ideologies can potentiate harm and discrimination against people who are viewed as
unhealthy because of their weight, eating habits, and fitness.
This specific article discusses a case of a large corporation that wanted to promote
“idealistic health behaviors’, by offering employees financial incentives for reduced insurance
premiums. Employees that engaged in these “idealistic behaviors” would document them and
maintain a body mass index below 25. In this case employee “X” weighs in with a BMI of 29,
which classified her as nearly obese. The employee does not perceive themselves as unhealthy.
They maintain a plant-based diet and participate in all the “idealist behaviors” as recommended.
Despite the employees’ efforts, they do not qualify for the reduced premiums because of their
body mass index. The employee felt discouraged and demoralized about being classified as
unhealthy.
Many of the other employees had previously complained because the requirement of
having a body mass index below 25 was discriminatory. It was suggested that this encouraged
views about wellness that were negative. Many employees also argued that companies should not