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Summary: The Epidemic Of Obesity

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A well-known statistic for obesity in America surmised that at least one-third of adults, 18 and over, are obese, not just overweight, and that alone is extremely alarming. Realization did not dawn on the public until the early 2000’s when people began to sue and blame fast food companies for their health and weight issues. The companies responded by stating that it was ultimately the responsibility of the consumers; their health problems were a result of poor self-discipline and lack of restraint. Contrary to popular belief, people do not lack self-control, it is because fast food is constantly being pushed to the public and advertised as low in calories, when in fact there is so much more than calories, that more food and products are being …show more content…

The probable cause of this obesity epidemic is a combination of an excessive amount of advertisements, a lack of self-control in consumers, and food producers and companies not being completely truthful about what chemicals and ingredients are used in the products. For the sake of Americans and the future generations, the public must admit the faults in their actions and take the responsibility and dedication to fight back against the obesity epidemic; fast food companies and food producers must cut back on the ridiculous number of time and money spent trying to convince as many people as possible to buy the …show more content…

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the 1950’s a typical fast food burger weighed in at around 3.9 ounces, whereas now burgers on average weigh 12 ounces. This claim states that burgers have tripled in weight in the past sixty years. The CDC also stated that drinks weighed 7 ounces and a side of fries clocked in at around 2.4 ounces, currently the sides are, on average, 42 and 6.7 ounces respectively. To have burgers and fries three times the original size and drinks six times the size, cost only a few cents more, it is clear that portion size increases for a fraction of the cost has contributed to the obesity epidemic that America is so well-known for, not just the advertisements. These claims from the CDC are just an average that does not include local restaurants that have special burgers or food challenges that are colossal in calories, sodium, fat, and carbohydrates. In retrospect, though these food challenges are not meant to be meals to be consumed daily, just more of a feat to accomplish. Despite that, portion size has helped the obesity epidemic expand across the nation by overfeeding the

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The amount of unhealthy food consumed in America goes well beyond McDonalds. In fact, you have to go no farther than your local grocery store to find equally as terrible food choices. For example, in recent years the government has put out warnings against eating fat in excess, which lead many big food companies, from yogurt to Wheat Thins, to send out new products with “less fat”. However, products with “less fat” actually have nearly twice as much sugar. Many studies have shown that sugar in excess is much worse than fat.

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Through the span of twenty years, it is clear that America has faced evolving obesity percentages. These obesity percentages correlate usually with children, and adolescents. However, the rate of obese personage lightened in the last few years. David Zinczenko, Men’s Health Magazine’s editor in chief, distributed his article, “Don't Blame the Eater” in 2002. In this article, he targets the reader's attention by informing them of the harsh realities and ramifications of Fast Food Industries.

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The central issue with consumers gaining weight is fast food industries, and the fact that fast food industries withhold information about what a consumer’s food contains. This leads these industries to increase their food portion sizes then later sell it for a cheap price, and surround many communities with fast food restaurants. The majority of industries do not label their products for the reason that, consumers will think twice and no longer buy their products. Furthermore, food industries unreasonably increase their food portions because they know it will attract consumers. Among it all, many fast food restaurants are placed in low socioeconomic communities to design an approachable way to get a hold of a meal.

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In the article, What You Eat Is Your Business by Radley Balko, published by Cato Institute, Balko discusses obesity. He discussed how obesity was a public health issue instead of being a personal health. Although the author discusses obesity in terms of public health, he argues that the resolution for obesity should be a personal responsibility. The author draws the reader’s attention when he talked about the government anti-obesity initiatives, by prohibiting junk food from vending machines, federal funding for new bike trails and sidewalks, restrictive food marketing to children, and prodding the food industry into more responsible behavior.

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Junk food is responsible for the growing rate of obesity. This is outlined by David freedman in his article of “How junk food can end obesity.” David Freedman has credited the “health-food” motion, and followers of it along with Michel Pollan. Freedman claims that if the America desires to stop the obesity epidemic, or at least reduce its effects, they must shift to the fast meals and processed meals enterprise for assist, now not the “health-food” movement.

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“Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko is an article that argues that the fast-food industry is at fault for the rising rates of obesity and health care, not the consumers because they advertise and market cheap meals without mentioning the negative nutrition information. It is in some ways no different than the tobacco industry, in which they sell cheap and unhealthy food without offering information that is easy to read and comprehend. Zinczenko claims that “Fast-food companies are marketing to children a product with proven health hazards and no warning labels” (464). The author insists that the fast-food industry is primarily at fault for the health problems related to obesity in the United States. This assertion seems legitimate and

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In David Freedman’s essay How Junk food Can End Obesity, Freedman makes the claim to policy arguing that instead of demonizing processed foods, Americans should instead support the idea and production of healthier processed and junk foods. He calls on the public to recognize that while many products on the market these days are labeled as “wholesome” and “healthy”, consumers should learn to become aware of the fat and calorie content in these products because many times they have the same- if not more- fat and calorie contents as that of a typical Big Mac or Whopper. In his essay, Freedman primarily places blame on the media and the wholesome food movement for the condemnation of the fast and processed food industries saying, “An enormous amount of media space has been dedicated to promoting the notion that all processed food, and only processed food, us making us sickly and overweight” (Freedman), he further expresses that this portrayal of the

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America is one of the most obese countries in the world, known for apple pie and an excessive amount of McDonald’s. As a culture, there is a lack of self control when it comes to the foods we consume. People often over consume and over indulge, which has wreaked havoc on the health and well being of those who give in to these temptations. The issue is that large corporations and even our own government play a role in helping feed the problem; they care more about profitability and benefiting the business than the health of the consumer. The health of Americans is declining and more chronic diseases and health problems are appearing as a result of unhealthy diets, but there are many different methods that can help fix this issue.

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According to recent polls, approximately 3% of Americans admit to consuming fast-food at least once per day. This number, although it may appear small, it accounts for 9.5 million citizens across the United States who are unashamed of chowing down on a quick meal. Unfortunately, due to this consumerization, obesity and other like-minded illnesses have risen in recent years. The effects are costly and capable of making people pay the ultimate price: their life.

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Both Editors David Zinczenko and Radley Balko offer different perspectives on how fast food has increase obesity in the united states and who is to blame Zinczenko contents the need to provide nutritional chart in fast food restaurant (392) while Balko argues that consumers need to become personally responsible for what they are consuming (397). In Zinczenko’s writing “Don’t Blame the Eater”, and Balko “What You Eat Is Your Business” while both agreeing that something has to change to reduce obesity in the United States, but at the same time have different views on how to approach the problem. Zinczenko argues the need for fast food industries to convey calorie labels similar to grocery items, and make them simpler for the consumer to understand (392). Balko judges the

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Although high fructose corn syrup may be a contributor to obesity, it is not the main cause. H.F.C.S. may not be the culprit, overeating is one of the most crucial factors of obesity. Most Americans eat portions that are beyond healthy. Studies show that over the last twenty years, food portions in American’s restaurants have doubled or even tripled. This distorted the amount of food people think is healthy for them at home and when eating out.

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The Truth of Obesity Fast food has been around for decades and it is an industry which will continue to grow, it is because of this main reason why so many Americans are now obese. Along with the lack of education and knowledge that many Americans are decrease their life span. However, obesity has never been such a vast problem as it stands today with its large population of uneducated and fast food hungry Americans. With this massive epidemic that is taking over America, comes many health issues and its targets begin with the children who become addicted to unhealthy but satisfying meals suffering from overweight, high cholesterol, and blood pressure to name a few.

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Overall, obesity is a severe problem our community faces today. Correspondingly, an incorrect caloric balance is the obvious contributing factor for obesity, meaning more calories

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The main contributor, widely reported by top experts, is the consumption of cheap, and convenient foods such as fast food and the myriad of boxed foods available in the supermarket. Diane Brady asserts in her essay, “The Employer-Friendly Case for Pricer Big Macs” that “Of all the reasons why a third of U.S. adults are obese, the lure of cheap, unhealthy food ranks near the top” (519). With continual attention being given to the effects of unhealthy foods on adults and especially young people, one would think that America would wise up and stop consuming it at such an alarming rate. Again, Brady points out that, “Fast food chains have raised their game with healthier menu offerings and support for programs that encourage physical activity, but they continue to thrive by selling high-calorie food. McDonald’s salads, introduced in 1987, make up just 2 percent to 3 percent of U.S. sales” (520).

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Every day, hardworking Americans make choices on what they should eat, whether it be fast food, TV dinners, sugar filled drinks, or vending machine snacks, a large amount of Americans are eating food that is high in calories, high in sugar, high in

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