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How fast food effects obesity
Is fast food responsible for obesity
Impact on the environment as on health
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Recommended: How fast food effects obesity
There has been a very big issue spotted in America and the problems name is obesity. The national Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases have shown that “more than 2 in 3 adults are considered to be overweight or obese,” in 2009-2010. It has become so intolerable that it has been claimed as a “widespread occurrence of a particular undesirable phenomenon.”(Oxford Dictionaries.) Other known as an epidemic. Many careless decisions and poor factors have triggered this problem such as: restaurant dining and fast food, living an inactive life and a person’s environment as well as their health. Appallingly ,"since 1970, the amount of fast food restaurants in business doubled,which equates to about 300,000 establishments in the United
The New York Times bestseller Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal is one of the most riveting books to come out about fast food restaurants to date (Schlosser, 2004). Fast food consumption has become a way of life for many in the United States as well as many other countries in the world. The author Eric Schlosser an investigative reporter whose impeccable researching and bold interviewing captures the true essence of the immense impact that fast food restaurants are having in America (2004). Beginning with McDonald’s, the first fast food restaurant, which opened on April 15, 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois to current trends of making fast food a global realization McDonald’s has paved the way for many fast food restaurants following the same basic ideal that is tasty foods served fast at a minimal cost (2011). Schlosser explains how fast food restaurants have gained substantial market share of the consumers; he also shows that by marketing to children and offering less unhealthful fare, that are purchased from mega-companies which are often camouflaged with added ingredients and cooked unhealthful ways, that these companies are indeed causing irreparable harm to our country (2004).
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.
There is no doubt that obesity has taken its seat as one of the top disease that strikes the world today. In America, obesity has now spread through the country leaving 2 out of 3 adults either overweight or obese, and worldwide 1.5 billion are overweight or obese (Overweight). The cause of this disease stems from multiple reasons such as the increase in modern food production, putting out ample amounts of food causing the prices for meat, groceries, and especially junk food to plummet. Subsequently, Americans especially were more inclined to purchase more food and showed an increase in the average American house hold food intake by 1,000 more calories a day (Dreifus).
Over the last three decades, fast food has infiltrated every nook and cranny of American society and has become nothing less than a revolutionary force in American life. Fast food has gained a great popularity among different age groups in different parts of the globe, becoming a favorite delicacy of both adults and children.
The obesity epidemic and our nation’s health as a whole have many factors that include socioeconomic status in particular. Socioeconomic Status and Childhood Obesity will always shape our nations vision and mission with what we do with healthcare. Healthcare in America is in a major reconstruction faze, and is in much need of it, obesity and socioeconomic status are going to be the major contributors to this reconstruction.
Imagine a world where a school aged child can step out of their school and walk into a McDonalds. A world where soda companies make millions of dollars a year by placing soda machines in schools. A world where 30.5 percent of adults are considered obese. A world where obesity is killing more people than smoking. What if I told you this world is not in your imagination but is the world we live in today?
Attention Getter: Between 2007 and 2012, a number of cities have seen at least a 50 percent increase in fast food restaurant outlets (About the Atlas). The types of cities and towns that are seeing the largest increase are areas with an increase in population, poverty or immigrants.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States more than one-third of adults and one-sixth of children are obese. Over the next twenty years, these numbers will more than double. By the year 2020, obesity will be considered a normal thing, and a healthy weight will be the exception. Who is to blame for the increasing obese population? Some say fast food restaurants that are on every block in the city. Others say it is the obese people themselves because they do not know how to control themselves. Many major health conditions come with obesity and it is costing the government millions in healthcare to pay for others lack of self control.
By 2020, this figure was forecasted to exceed 223 billion,” (Tucci, 2014). The fast-food industry is very profitable and even challenger brands stand to fare well. Fast food is changing the way consumers perceive their brands by focusing more on healthy food options. According to Forbes, “While sit-down restaurants and hotels remain relatively quiet as casual chains like Chipotle, Panera Bread, Subway’s, McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts seek to eliminate undesirable ingredients; getting rid of unhealthy ingredients is no mere fad. Everyone will scramble to sanitize their menu,” (Huen, 2015). This switch to healthier menu items may trigger our challenger brand Burger King to make major menu
Fast food outlets actually have been existed from millennia in China, India and ancient Europe. In the past, many people cannot afford to have a kitchen and this becomes the main reason they buy their food in fast food outlets (Reverse Your Age, 2013). The perception of fast food started to change in twentieth century. The first company that change the culture and perception of fast food was McDonald’s, followed by their future competitors such as KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Subway. As they get a good appreciation from the customers followed by the impact of the globalisation, almost all of the fast food companies have been expanded their restaurant chain in many nations (Wojtek, 2013). Nowadays, with our busy life schedule and the increasing trend where women entering workforce promote an opportunity for the fast food industry to grow bigger. We can see the significant growth from the fast food industry as the industry itself has been generated over $160 billion in 2012 compared to their revenue in 1970 which only around $6 billion (Franchise Help, n.d.). With this significant growth, it does not mean that every company in this industry are successful. Some company has to closed some of their stores due to the lack of environmental research and preparation in entering a new country which commonly lead to the poor selling rate. The deeper explanation and points that is mention below will be also represent as the industry current state.
· Fast food is losing its sense of appeal to the large group of customers who frequently eat out
Many folks who become obese are people who abuse the calories their body needs on a daily diet. As stated in “Overweight and Obesity Statistics”, everyone body needs a certain amount of energy from foods to have a proper balance. If the calories you have eaten sum up to the amount of calories you have used or have not burnt, you will start to have a problem if this eating habit continues. You will now be in the stage of overweight, if you do not burn the extra calories you consumer. In March 2004 the CDC publishes a study showing that poor eating habits and lack of exercise were the second leading death in the Untied States (“Chronology”). For example, one major reason why people become obese in America is because the environment is full of fast food restaurants. If you look to your left you will see McDonald’s, you look to your right, and you see Jack in The Box, you look behind you and there is Carl’s Jr, and if you look in front of you and you see a Burger King. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, “17% of children and adolescents (aged 2-19) are obese. The prevalence of obesity in America has risen dramatically over the past two decades and continues to increase” (qtd. “Weight Control and Diet”). You see these places all over the place and not to mention food advertising is a big cause for obesity. According to What Causes Overweight
Society should consider the physical and emotional problems of obesity in our nation. “Obesity is defined as an excess proportion of total body fat (Mayo Clinic).” American society has become increasingly obese, “characterized by environments that promote increased food intake, unhealthy foods, and physical inactivity (cdcinfo@cdc.gov).” Our nation increasingly has become consumers of a fast food diet. It is so simple to just pick up food on the go and not deal with the hassle of cooking and cleaning up afterwards. What are nation needs to acknowledge is the health risks they will obtain if they do not acquire a healthy life style.
In 1912, Walter Anderson made American history by opening the first fast food restaurant named “White Castle”. A smart and innovative idea like this was the start of a new America. This has led to many other huge fast food restaurant openings that could easily be named at the top of anyone’s head. Many people can agree that instead of taking the time to cook food, it is easier to go to a close by fast-food joint and pay a small price for a quick meal. Many Americans take advantage of this (since we all live busy lives) and so have the companies themselves.
Over the course of the last few decades, the U.S. has seen a drastic rise in the spread of obesity. Through the rise of large-scale fast food corporations, the blame has shifted toward the mass consumerism of these global industries. It is, however, due to poor lifestyle choices that the U.S. population has seen a significant increase in the percentage of people afflicted with obesity. In 1990 the percentage of obese people in the United States was approximated at around 15%. In 2010, however, it is said that “36 states had obesity rates of 25 percent or higher”(Millar). These rates have stayed consistent since 2003. The obesity problem in America is