Don T Blame The Eater Summary

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Recommended: Negative effects of eating fast food

David Zinczenko, author of the article “Don’t Blame The Eater” heavily contends that fast-food chains are the leading problem of our nation’s childhood obesity population rise. Blaming these restaurants for failing to inform consumers of the nutritional facts and calories on the food items, as they are on grocery items. Falsely, there are in fact labels on food such as Mcdonalds wraps they just might be hard for consumers to see. He claims “But where, exactly, are consumers--particularly teenagers-- supposed to find alternatives?”. When in actuality, there are many healthier alternatives than just your local Mcdonalds or Taco Bell. For example, it is very convenient to drive (just as you would to your local Mcdonalds) to a nearby Subway and create a sub full of nutritional helpings. Even more so, it is also beneficial to walk into your local grocery store or Wal-mart and purchase a pre-made …show more content…

Sympathizing for those overweight, as Zinczenko also inserts a personal experience stating he too used to be a “typical mid-1980s, latchkey kid”. Bringing up a point that is still relevant in today’s society where children of divorced parents who work extensive hours, fast-food chains are their only source of food intake at convenience. As these children consume such high calories they are unaware of the substantial health problems they cause such as diabetes. “Today...Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes…” as stated by the National Institute of Health, the rise of diabetes in children comes from their obesity. Fast-food chains have no concern for their consumers' health when purchasing their food they only care about the profits they receive. In result, a lack of consumer knowledge on nutrition and eating out leads to the rise of potentially life-threatening health problems if not

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    Throughout the United States many American’s go through and eat at fast food places such as, McDonalds, Burger King, and Jack ‘n the Box. Mainly unaware of the amount of weight one can gain if consuming it on a daily bases or even two times week, can cause health issues, diabetes and possibly obesity. This was the main premise for writer Dave Zinczenko essay Don’t Blame the Eater, who makes an argument that many people are becoming obese and diabetic because of the fast food they eat. He asks a regarding his concern; Shouldn 't we know better than to eat two meals a day in fast-food restaurants?, As a way to engage the general public, like parents and teenagers, he expresses his argument through his own experience when he was a teenager eating at fast food places and information on the fast food industry in regards to how many calories are in the food.

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    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

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    Zinczenko explains, “Where are consumers supposed to find alternatives? Drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you’ll see one of our country’s more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants.” He continues, “Now, drive back up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit.” (Zinczenko 463). What’s the chances of finding a fruit stand rather than a fast food restaurant? In addition, consumers are not being informed on what exactly they are taking in. There are no calorie charts posted on the food, nor are there warning labels connected to it. Thus, the purchaser is becoming unhealthy and eventually obese. Zinczenko stated fast food restaurants, “Would do well to protect themselves, and their consumers, by providing the nutrition information people need to make informed choices about their products.” Furthermore, without warnings, there will consequently be a higher number of ill and obese

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    David Zinczenko states numbers and facts that open the eyes of his reader along with state his position of how fast food states no warnings that it could make someone obese or develop type 2 diabetes. His first statement is telling his readers a little background about how fast food affected his life and how he was once obese because he consumed such meals. Zinczenko explains how the increase in diabetes (specially type 2) were linked to the high consumption of fast food meals. He then goes on to address how much money is being spent to help take care of the mass amount of children with type 2 diabetes, showing how the price has gone up substantially over the past couple decades. The author then claims how the restaurants don’t give any healthy alternative and how its easier to find a McDonalds in American than an healthy alternative such as fruit. To wrap up the article he shares how he feels that obese kids who sue these fast food restaurants have good ground to do so since these places don’t put warnings on their foods; From Zinczenko himself “I say, let the deep fried chips fa...

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    Zinczenko uses information from the National Institutes of Health stating that “Before 1994, diabetes in children was generally caused by a genetic disorder”. While reading this statement one must ask, what significance does 1994 have on the increase in Type 2 diabetes? As well as how does this date support Zinczenko’s theory that fast food influences Type 2 diabetes when McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants have been around since well before 1994. In addition, Zinczenko uses another statistic to support his claim that “Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes in this country” (242). One reason Zinczenko’s argument is invalid is because he neglects to take into consideration the varying reasons that Type 2 diabetes rates could go up. For example, children may not be getting enough exercise or eating poor meals at home. In addition, only 30 percent of new childhood cases of diabetes in America are Type 2, which means that 70 percent of these childhood cases are genetically related. Although these statistics are unsettling, we cannot solely blame the fast food industry for the rise in Type 2 diabetes. In the final analysis, Zinczenko is ineffective in arguing fast food’s cause of childhood illness by using an argument with a missing claim and a cause and effect

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