Introduction
The obesity rates in America are continuing to grow and so is the cost of health care. With more kids growing up overweight it’s causing people to increase our spending on preventable healthcare. Since everyone is affected by obesity in terms to medical premiums people question the cause of this epidemic and how it can be controlled. Particularly, should only people who are obese face the consequences of high prices? Should we regulate what people eat more strictly? You can get a sense of answering these questions when look at a known image of obesity which is fast food restaurants.
Fast food restaurants, like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s, are all popular places out of many that a lot of people like to eat from. Whether
…show more content…
They do offer deals that make people who don’t cook for themselves or don’t have a lot of money want to dine at their restaurants. However, don’t disclose the health hazards that come from eating each meal. Trying to find healthy options are also hard to come by. He also talked about his childhood experience with having to find food for himself and being subjected to different fast food places and it caused him to become obese. In Zinczenko’s eyes it’s not the children’s fault that they have to eat this food because it’s the only thing that is readily available and cost …show more content…
The questions contained a series of both multiple choice and rating questions. (See Appendix A for the full list of questions)
My survey was open to anyone who was above the age of 18 because the topic of eating out can apply to almost everyone regardless of certain demographics. The survey was open for five days and I collected a total of 25 responses. Twenty four (96%) participants were between the ages of 18 and 25. One (4%) participant was between the age of 26 and 35. Out of all the respondents a total of twenty (80%) have incomes that are less than $25,000 a year. The other five (20%) respondents have incomes that range from $25,000 to $50,000 a
Obesity is a complex topic with many different branches. With things like weight loss pills, workout programs, and thousands of diet plans each claiming they 're the best, it can become overwhelming to decipher what the best option is without a tremendous amount of tedious research. This being said, it is often easier to put taking action towards obesity on the back burner with our increasingly busy lives. It is much easier to think "I 'll worry about it tomorrow" while chomping down on a greasy burger than it is to take the time to manage our schedules in an attempt to make time for the research hoping to produce change. With that being said, whose fault is obesity? Is it the companies producing the foods with little to
He begins his argument by commenting about kids suing McDonald’s for “making them fat” (Zinczenko 462). Zinczenko ponders the absurdity of this claim considering how food choices are based on personal responsibility. However, he then considers the overwhelming availability ratio of fast food to fresh food while sympathizing he was once obese himself (Zinczenko 462). Zinczenko uses the primary argument that fast food companies are deceiving consumers with misleading advertisement, hidden nutrition facts, and calorie risks. He believes companies are encouraging the public to eat their unhealthy foods by omitting alarming information and levying “good” deals. In consequence, fast food companies are increasing the chances of obesity and diabetes in consumers by stimulating poor eating
As for David Zinczenko, he grew up on the infamous fast food diet that once saved his life when hunger struck due to the affordable prices restaurants had to offer. “Lunch and dinner, for me, was a daily choice between McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken or Pizza Hut” (Zinczenko 462). These unhealthy habits eventually caught up to him and resulted in an unflattering weight gain. Fortunately, he went to college, connected with the Navy Reserves and also became associated with a health magazine in which he learned how to manage his diet. He didn’t stop there; in fact, he is president of Galvanized Brands, a global health and wellness media company and he is also the author of multiple books: Eat This, Not That and the Abs Diet series. The most remarkable part, he was able to recover and become healthy again unlike many others who have gone too far to make a comeback, therefore, becoming obese. In “Don’t Blame the Eater”, Zinczenko talks to those who are consuming the
Zinczenko’s argument summed up is that fast food restaurants are to blame for America’s obesity issues. He gives statistics that go over childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes, diabetes cost of health care in the United States, and the number of McDonalds restaurants in the United states. The only thing that Zinczenko suggests to change is that he wants all fast food restaurants to post nutritional information, and he
Ever since the creation of the golden arches, America has been suffering with one single problem, obesity. Obesity in America is getting worse, for nearly two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight. This obesity epidemic has become a normal since no one practices any type of active lifestyle. Of course this is a major problem and many wish it wasn 't in existence, but then we start to ask a major question. Who do we blame? There are two articles that discuss numerous sides of this question in their own unique way. “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko is better than “Don 't Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko due to its position in argument, opposition, and it’s reoccurrence in evidence.
Many people in America love to get greasy, high calorie fast food from many places such as McDonalds and its competitors, but in the article “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko, he reveals the health problems associated with these fatty, salty meals. His articles are affective with its well organized layout, rhetorical appeals and tone which give it a very convincing argument. As you read through the article the author reveals the underlying problems with eating fast food and how there are no warnings of such problems posted. As a former obese child who grew up to diet and watch what he ate he sets a credible stance for the argument.
Zinczenko provides a sound example of how easily one can be misled by the fast food company
From a study completed by Chicago-based Research International USA completed a study called “Fast Food Nation 2008. The panel consisted of 1,000 respondents of ages 16-65 who provided their inputs with an online survey which was conducted between March 13 through 2008. Which was based on results on fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s are gaining popularity even through the economic hardship and recession. Marketing strategy has become more of influence on kids and young American’s. As population grows and the demand increases of fast food restaurants are expanding their stores to capturing more consumers. Fast food chains are also willing to change their menus to continue to gain and retain repeating customers. With each generation that passes, brings fast food chains into more homes and continues impacting lives.
Have you ever see a legal dispute on TV of a teenager suing a major fast food company over the food that has made them obese? Many people have and began to think that it is the teenagers fault for eating the fast food in the first place. This could have all been avoided if the consumer had decided not to eat at that particular fast food restaurant at all. While this is true another question is asked. What other place is there to get a quick bite of food for an affordable price? That is the argument that is brought up in “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko. Zinczenko wrote an article stating that he takes sides with the consumer in saying that they should not be held accountable the way the fast food affects their bodies. Of course they
The term “fast-food” is usually distinguished by food served very quickly to a customer by drive-through or carry-out. Fast-food restaurants are highly associated with low-cost and malnutrition foods with brief consumer and employee interaction, and below average cleanliness based on restaurant health inspection reports. Chick-fil-A has changed the usual perception of fast-food restaurants. Rather than burgers and potato fries, Chick-fil-A serves chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. Chick-fil-A also shows their appreciation for employee to customer relations, rather than ignoring the social aspect of serving customers when operating at a fast pace. Chick-fil-A’s menu selection, customer interaction, and clean eating
For millions, fast food restaurants are the source of positive associations with birthday parties, play dates and accessible comfort food. For others, they represent a lifeline meal on a busy day, or the secret to quieting a cranky toddler on a long trip because hurrying residents of cities have no time to cook a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fast food presents even in the lives of people who are trying
Everyday Americans die from the diseases they carry from obesity. Many Americans over eat because their social problems or because they are hereditary. Many plans have been discussed but finding the solution is the problem. Junk foods and unhealthy beverages have corrupted children’s minds all over the nation and putting a stop on it could lead to other benefits. Unhealthy foods and drinks should be taxed and healthy foods should be advertised more to help prevent American obesity.
“Don’t Blame the Eater” is an article by David Zinczenko that explains to Americans, specifically overweight young Americans, about the risks eating at fast food restaurants and its cause of affecting one’s health. In his article, he tries to address the issue about America’s food industries by using literal devices such as tone, logos, ethos, diction, and organization in order to spread his message. He begins his article by addressing the topic and as he continues writing, he supports his topic by writing about personal experience and moves onto the reasons why his topic in a serious issue. Although he shows an overall clear progress, he does tend to have a few problems with his writing that could be improved.
As Americans, we’re always on the go. When hungry and have no time there are many fast and healthy items available. Many people who say that fast food chains is the main cause of obesity in America because there are plenty of fast food restaurants on every block with very few healthy options ("Do Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity?"). Fast food business are very easy to find and offer quick service, but there are other options that are healthy, especially in urban areas. Restaurants such as Panera offer a range of items that are healthy and offer a quick service for those on a schedule. In addition to these healthier options, it is also possible to pack their own snack or meal. People often become lazy when it comes to just cooking their meals at home. This choice allows the customer, to control what they eat.
In the last century, advancements in medical treatments are making many diseases that were practically a death sentence in the past curable. However, there is currently an epidemic of a different sort: obesity. The image problem t has doesn’t help. After all, most would associate being fat with Santa Claus before associating it with disability and death (Duncan 1). And one of the biggest causes of the obesity epidemic, according to wholesome food supporters, is fast food. But fast food might not be the real culprit. There are several other issues that could be he cause of the obesity epidemic. For example, food availability has increased tremendously in the last century, and portion sizes are larger. In addition, attempts to add healthier choices to the menu are often not received well by the general public. And it is not like there are foods just as bad as they claim fast food to be that we eat just as much, if not more. Fast food is not the true cause behind the obesity epidemic considering that meals in general have gotten bigger and more filling, fast food has tried to become healthier, and that there are foods just a problematic as fast food is claimed to be.