Blame For Fast Food

Fast-food restaurants seem to take most of the blame for rising obesity rates in the United States, but is it really their fault? People set high expectations when it comes to fast-food. Consumers not only expect convenience, but also quality food at a low price. Wanting fast-food restaurants to live up to these unreasonable expectations is what leads people to develop health issues. While fast-food restaurants should take some of the blame for the obesity epidemic, it’s ultimately the consumer’s choice to choose fast-food over healthier choices. Many different factors such as convenience, cost, and environmental factors, along with lack of exercise, are also contributors to the rising obesity rate in America.

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:

Most Americans are overscheduled and overcommitted. They run from activity to...

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...re proven to lower the risk of obesity, without changing one’s lifestyle completely. Also, make a conscious effort to limit the number of fast-food meals. This is one of the biggest, and most dramatic steps one can take in order to avoid becoming obese. In addition to that, find a consistent workout plan that is enjoyable and motivating. This will help burn off some of the calories that would build up and cause weight gain. Limiting television time is a way for the whole family to avoid an abundance of sedentary activity. This will allow time for both kids and adults to become more active, and avoid eating simply in result of boredom. Once consumers make an effort to reduce the amount of bad habits that they have become accustomed to, and realize that fast-food restaurants aren’t to blame for their bad choices, obesity won’t be such a big issue in America.