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Fast food and obesity
Fast food and its effects on obesity rates worldwide
Obesity and the fast food industry
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Obesity is weighing this country down. Fast food restaurants have become incredibly prominent and reliable throughout the United States. A commonly used excuse that America’s newfound obesity issue is due to the comparatively cheaper fast food to that of an organic meal is thought to be misconceived. Although it is true that fast food in fact is cheaper than purchasing an organic meal, there are healthier affordable alternatives than fast food. Nevertheless, the issue is, who is to blame? The fast food companies, or the consumer. While many people argue the restaurants are to blame, it is ultimately the consumers who are to attribute to obesity. Much like Burger King’s infamous meal, its a “whopping” fallacy in our contemporary nation: …show more content…
Fast food is in fact not cheaper. The dilemma is not what you choose to consume, but rather where you go to buy it. A burger at McDonalds may be cheaper than the given salad, however at your local supermarket a salad is cheaper than a burger. Giving children money for preservative filled school lunch may be quick and seem cheap, but packing your child’s lunch is much more affordable in long run. By packing your child’s lunch, you are not only providing them with a healthy meal, but you are saving thousands of dollars in medical bills. That cafeteria hamburger and ice cream your child received today may have saved you a nickel, but ten years from now you might be paying to clean out their arteries. By providing your child with healthy inexpensive meals, you will also save them from having to buy gym memberships, and therapy for when your child is being bullied for being overweight in …show more content…
Fast food restaurants also do not list accurate calorie information, or do not list them at all. “One company 's web site lists its chicken salad as containing 150 calories; the almonds and noodles that come with it (an additional 190 calories) are listed separately. Add a serving of the 280-calorie dressing, and you 've got a healthy lunch alternative that comes in at 620 calories. But that 's not all. Read the small print on the back of the dressing packet and you 'll realize it actually contains 2.5 servings. If you pour what you 've been served, you 're suddenly up around 1,040 calories, which is half of the government 's recommended daily calorie intake”. (Zinczenko). Ultimately, the fast food companies are advertising lower calorie meals, however, to benefit them into attracting customers to “healthier” options they are not including the add-ons, or additional information on serving sizes. “Rather than reducing portion sizes, the top fast-food companies engaged in sleight of name” (Nestle). McDonald 's and Wendy 's known for their “supersize” and “biggie” portions have now replaced these with large and medium. “Name changes, however, are to unlikely to help with weight maintenance as they may induce people to believe they are eating smaller
While referring to fast foods such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, Zinczenko says, “these were the only available options for an American kid to get an affordable meal” (Zinczenko 195). I completely agree with him on this statement because the purpose of fast food is to get these foods
Common sense seems to dictate that fast food is bad for you, however, many Americans consume fast food on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. In “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko argues that fast-food companies and the food industry are to blame for America’s obesity epidemic, essentially that it is not the individuals fault for becoming obese, and that in essence, fast-food companies ought to take responsibility for the health issues induced by consuming the food. He explains how bombarded you are with unhealthy, greasy, and fattening food everywhere you look; whereas it is much more difficult to access healthy alternatives. He describes the vicious cycle of purchasing cheap ailing meals, rather
In “Don’t Blame the Eater”, by David Zinczenko and in “What You Eat is Your Business”, by Radley Balko both authors discuss and make their stance’s clear on their believed cause of obesity in America. On one hand, Zinczenko argues that it is not the consumers fault for putting themselves at risk of becoming obese or being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but that it is the fast-food companies fault. While on the other hand, Balko argues that we as individuals hold responsibility on whether or not we are putting ourselves at risk for obesity.
Millions of American people buy fast food every day without thinking about where, how and why. The ramifications of fast food is impacting the American people both around the waist line and the community where they live at. “As the old saying goes: you are what you eat.” (Schlosser) The customer have made the choices to eat fast food or not. The industry doesn’t care about the customers; studies have shown that the fast food industry is the reason for the rise of American obesity. “Live fast and die young” (Moore); this could not be more true when looking at the impact of the fast food industry.
Obesity has become an epidemic in today’s society. Today around 50% of America is now considered to be over weight. Fast-food consumption has been a major contributor to the debate of the twenty-first century. Chapter thirteen, titled “Is Fast-Food the New Tobacco,” in the They Say I Say book, consists of authors discussing the debate of fast-food’s link to obesity. Authors debate the government’s effects on the fast-food industry, along with whether or not the fast-food industry is to blame for the rise in obesity throughout America. While some people blame the fast food industry for the rise in obesity, others believe it is a matter of personal responsibility to watch what someone eats and make sure they get the proper exercise.
The post is suitable to read for anyone who would like to find facts about the relation of fast foods to the high rates of obesity in the states. The audience should expect the author to clearly state out point why fast food is not the primary cause of obesity. The author should also clearly state reason why there has been an increase in obesity levels. This should help the reader in clarifying that fast food is not the primary cause. The purpose of this text is to ensure that the reader understands the relation to fast food and obesity levels. I believe that in many ways, the author can be referred to as a defender of fast food in the blame for causing obesity.
In the past forty years, the average American’s weight has skyrocketed. This can be traced to the introduction of fast food into our everyday lives. Fatty cheeseburgers and grease laden French fries have replaced fresh fish and crisp vegetables. Americans have come to value convenience more highly than personal health and consequently we are paying for what we consume.
Whether people are willing to admit it or not, the desire for convenience is one of the main factors that leads to obesity. In today’s fast-food industry, it’s extremely hard to find food that isn’t “highly processed, full of fat, calories and sodium” (Muntel). While people are recommended to eat an average of 1,500-1,800 calories and around 50-60 grams of fat per day, one can easily take in a whole day’s worth of calories and fat in one fast-food meal. However, people don’t think about this fact while driving past countless fast-food restaurants on their way home from work. One can find anything from a crunchy taco to deep fried chicken all at the same intersection. This abundance of fast-food restaurants makes it no longer necessary to spend hours at the grocery store or even preparing a meal when food for the whole family can be ready in a matter of minutes. Sarah Muntel shares her insight as to why people are so drawn to fast-food:
America is the fattest country in the entire world and is getting fatter. Obesity is the second biggest killer next to deaths caused by smoking. In 1991, 1 in every 8 adults was obese; in 1999, 1 in every 5 adults was obese, which shows how America is becoming more obese all of the time. In 1991, only four states had obesity prevalence rates of 15 to 19% and no states had rates at or above 20%. On the other hand, in 2004, 7 states had 15 to 19% prevalence; an overwhelming number of 33 states had 20 to 24% prevalence, and 9 states had rates of more than 25% prevalence. The U.S. Surgeon General says that 61% of Americans are significantly overweight compared to in the 1990’s of 55% and in the 1970’s, where it was 46%. The question is, are these results a direct effect of the fast food industry?
Summary: Since 1970 America has been effected by fast food nearly 33.8% of the population is affected by obesity and 19% are children. Foods that fast food restaurants serve are highly processed and contain a lot of fats and sugar. This source also provides average calories from fast food restaurants. Obesity is caused by a combination of fast food and the environment that we live in today. In order to help Americans should cut down the amount that they eat out and substitute unhealthy foods for a healthier option.
Not only is fast food loaded with more fats and sugars than a decade ago, the proportions have grown considerably. When companies discovered that it costs a little more to produce a large versus a medium serving, 'super sizing' took off as a lucrative practice", as well as, "No one factor seems to be to blame for the fattening up of America. The culprit is a potent mix of less exercise, changes in our work life, more meals eaten outside the home, bigger portions, more fats and sugars in prepared foods, an abundance of cheap corn syrup, and the tendency to consider moderation downright
New nutrition laws are being created to help familiarize people with the high amount of calories in fast food. California was the first state to make a law requiring the calorie count of food to be posted on the menu boards (“Judge” par. 15). On July 1, 2007, the New York City Board of Health created a new regulation which requires the calorie count of the food to be on fast food menus (“New” par. 2). The New York State Restaurant Association is currently fighting to reject this law (“Judge” par. 2). The idea of putting the amount of calories on fast food menu boards is currently spreading...
How many days a week do you have fast food? Once? Twice maybe? In the world we live in today it’s common to have fast foods three to five times a week. In school cafeterias, children are exposed to these kinds of meals everyday, increasing the chances for health consequences and cutting off space for their true performance. According to Oxford dictionaries, fast foods are defined as “easily prepared processed foods served in snack bars and restaurants as a quick meals or to be taken away.” This meaning may sound harmless but the truth is that everyday more and more kids are living the consequences of our poor nutritional system. Following, you’ll be presented a series of evidences that will expand your understanding of why fast foods should not be sold in school cafeterias.
Over the past few centuries, obesity has been a major problem worldwide. Obesity is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, reduced quality of life, and is one of the leading causes of death. The fast food industry is one of the major factors contributing to the world’s obese epidemic. These industries give little to no nutrition facts about the food, and brainwash individuals (typically children) with advertisements. One may argue that it is the individual's responsibility to make healthy food choices, but in fact, it is the fast food industry to blame because they have dominated the world and leave individual with no choice but to support the fast food industry.
Restaurants such as McDonald's are pinned down as responsible for obesity in America. However individual choice, a non-monitored diet, and physical inactivity are the real blame. Mcdonalds and other fast-food restaurants are only responsible for helping America's economy And Employing millions of people who would be unemployed otherwise. Even if it is concluded that fast-food restaurants are responsible for obesity, which they aren’t, They are responsible for so much more. The pros outweigh the cons and the cons aren’t even