According to Fed Up, a 2014 American documentary directed, written and produced by Stephanie Soechtig, “30% of Americans are obese” (Fed Up). A riveting and striking film, Fed Up explains the issues of obesity, the health consequences of eating unhealthy, and the varying problems that coincide with this national epidemic. While interviewing various families that struggle with obesity, the documentary shows a common theme: generations pass on their respected food traditions. For example, the Lopez family, from Hispanic dissent, states that in their culture, big statures and overweight individuals represent beauty and health; therefore, this family proceeds to consume an excessive amount of food because their ancestors before them did the same exact thing. Additionally, Fed Up touches on the issue that healthy foods, such as fresh vegetables and …show more content…
In addition, the fast food industry’s main goal is to produce profit, and advertisements for unhealthy nutrition options flood schools, television, billboards, and multitudes of other outputs, all places where young children can view endorsements for fast food. Drawing a parallel between fast food and tobacco, Fed Up claims that soda resembles the cigarettes of the 21st century and that both of these toxins present many future health implications. While continuing to discuss long term effects of unhealthy food and eating habits, various scientific researchers and individuals share that up to “40% of non-obese people have metabolic diseases” (Fed Up). While not everyone may appear overweight or obese, they may have diabetes, heart related problems, high blood pressure, and/or numerous other health concerns. Overall, Stephanie Soechtig’s Fed Up discusses the issues of obesity and how private provide and special interests place themselves above public
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
“Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise” Mike Adams (1967- present). People tend to believe our obesity epidemic is due to our high-calorie fast food restaurants. They are quick to blame others for their own mistakes and their willingness to change their eating habits. Fast food restaurants are not to blame for our obesity problem in our society but as a consumer, we are making that ultimate choice. We need to stop and think about what we are putting in our bodies and what they are doing to us. Yes, it’s true, it’s easier to find a McDonalds than a fruit or vegetable stand, but why not choose the salad with half the dressing at McDonalds
...ance, there needs to be organizations that limit food advertising; just as was done with cigarettes. Even though it is evident that fast-food companies are winning the marketing battle, their success depends solely on their returning customers. Should people stop eating the tempting fast food, and start making time in their day for exercise, not only would fast food companies suffer greatly, but we might have a chance to veer away from our heavy fates. Most importantly, media productions that educate people on the truths of the fast food industry should continue to focus on the risks and consequences of obesity, particularly on groups most susceptible to targeting from fast-food companies? marketing campaigns: minorities and children. With increased education and a pro-active stance on regular exercise, people can start to reverse the trend of obesity in America.
Everyone loves fast food, surgery desserts and indulging in sweet and salty snacks covered in chocolate. What people rarely think of is how unhealthy they may be eating and what they’re putting into their bodies. The consequences can be life threating if not taking the right procedures to maintain a healthy lifestyles. As we continue these unhealthy lifestyles they can be taken after by our children and their grandchildren. Children that continue in their parents footsteps or start these habits soon learn the finances as adults such as health costs. Radley Balko criticizes Americans in “What You Eat Is Your Business” for not taking their own responsibility regarding be overweight and how it’s become a public issue. He says the government is not
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.
Obesity rates have skyrocketed within the last 10-20 years. This is in direct correlation with the diet and exercise habits of cultures. As cultures begin to incorporate different culture’s cuisines into their own cultures, the obesity rate starts to increase. This is most likely caused by their heritage history being accustomed to their culture’s cuisine history. Then diet and exercise come into play as well. We live in a time where technology has almost taken over our lives. In modern day, we can drive wherever we need to go, we do not have to walk everywhere anymore; we do not have to even go to the grocery store anymore because Amazon.com has now made their website into a grocery store in select parts of the country where we pick what we need online and it is delivered to our house. This program is set to go nationwide soon, and eventually globally. This is the epitome of laziness and why different cultures are becoming obese; especially America. Diet and exercise have almost become a thing of the past in America. Yes, there is still a large amount of humans that still exercise daily, but not the average American. The most active age group, worldwide, is 22-34 year olds with an average salary of $20,000 or less (Thompson 2013). Cultures such as the Native Americans, Mexicans, Chileans, and the culture that tops the list; Americans, are among the world’s most obese cultures (Downey 2011).
Obesity and overweight remain the two major social problems in the United States. Apart from the fact that obesity and overweight are dangerous by themselves, they also cause a variety of negative health consequences. Our lives our overloaded with tasks and obligations, and we often choose to eat something fast. “Fast”, however, does not necessarily imply “useful”, and more and more people face the risks of becoming obese even at young age. Because obesity has already become a national i...
We make personal choices about what and where to eat. The government is not going to eliminate the unhealthy food because we think it is the cause of obesity. Ultimately, we must decide to either stay away from unhealthy food or eat them in moderation. Despite all the efforts of education, media and guidance it doesn’t prevent us from grabbing that cheeseburger with fries on the way to work. In his essay “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Radley Balko argues that society should take full responsi...
In American society’s everyday busy life, fast food is a commonly consumed meal . You can drive down a single road and often find more than five fast food chains’ restaurants. In a society where people are always “on the go,” a cheeseburger meal with a large soda is very easy to grab, and inexpensive. Although people might think it’s just a hamburger and fries, do they really know what is in the food, and how it is going to affect their bodies. Fast food has become a dangerous billion dollar industry, and it is harmful for the consumers. Those who know the dangers need to inform the others that they are taking a risk by pulling into that drive through, and putting their health on the line. Fast food is harmful for an individual’s health
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “More than one-third of U.S. adults (34.9%) are obese” (“Adult Obesity”, 2014). Considering the wide amounts of freedom and choices that American citizens have, this number is startling. Americans have gone from being some of the most productive, hard-working people in the world, to ignorant, lazy citizens who take what they have for granted. It is simply shocking to look at a nation with the amounts of opportunity present in the United States, and see how lazy its’ people really are. Many families would rather spend twenty five dollars on a couple value meals at a fast food chain rather than take thirty minutes to prepare a healthy, cheaper meal. Instead, Americans criminalize fast food corporations, for “making them obese”. Simply put, American citizens need to take responsibility for their everyday actions, leading them down a path of obesity, and stop blaming the fast food industry, the government, and their “lack of time”.
America offers a culturally diverse diet. With restaurants that serve foods such as Chinese, Italian, and Mexican to fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Panda Express, and Taco Bell. This just a small example of the large selection of restaurants, stores, and fast food chains the average American has the potential run into every day, and these choices are openly available in most cities, states, and some on every street corner. With this kind of freedom to enjoy a diverse diet it is no secret that America loves fast food because it is cheap, fast, and is easily accessible. Fast foods easily fit into the fast-paced lives people take on every day and now fast food accounts for “eleven percent” (FFS) of the average American diet and “forty-four percent” (FFS) reported eating fast food at least once per week. These calorie packed meals are contributing the rise in obesity in adults, teens, and children. The CDC states that “more than one-third of U.S. adults (that is thirty-five and a half percent) are obese” and “approximately seventeen percent (or twelve and a half million) of children and adolescents aged two through nineteen years are obese” these shocking statics have caused many people to rethink their everyday diet. The news has even reported places like New York attempting to impose a high “sugar tax” also known as the “fat tax” to combat the rising epidemic of obesity by limiting the sugar intake of consumers in New York. The fat tax heavily taxes those who do choose to intake the sugary beverages, sweets, and other unhealthy goods with the possibility of the government stepping in to take out, limit, or even tax the places that these “unhealthy foods”. Even with obesity on the rise should government have a say in American ...
David Zinczenko makes a compelling argument regarding the issues of the fast food industry causing the life sentence of obesity for children. Perhaps, the arguments provided in his essay could have been well founded in 2003, however over a decade has passed, the industry has changed, and such arguments no longer hold ground. I will argue that in 2015, the responsibility of monitoring the problems which arise from fast food consumption now lies in the hand of the "Eater," not those who dish it out.
The health of our nation is an important topic that has been discussed for many years. It is no surprise that much of what contributes to illness such as heart disease and obesity is the consumption of sugar and junk foods. This is a simple fact that is widely known, but the government still feels the need to step in when it comes to controlling the population’s eating habits. Unfortunately, simply recognizing that something is bad is not always enough to deter someone from indulging. When it comes to our nation’s dietary habits, it is clear that some people may need assistance in making better choices and that is why the health and fitness industry is so big. At the end of the day, it is up to every individual to make their own choices whether
There is no mistake that in urban, low-income neighborhoods there are more fast-food restaurants then there are community gardens or fresh produce stands. Fast-food industries spend millions of dollars in marketing, to advertise their products in these neighborhoods. In return many children are brainwashed to believe that these foods are acceptable because they aren’t being educated to know that in fact these foods are very dangerous to their health. These industries spend so much money to portray an unsafe lifestyle as fun and trendy, and unfortunately many young people are becoming deceived. Also Fast-food corporations purposely move into these neighborhoods because they know the populations that live there. These corporations offer quick, affordable food options to people that are desperate for something to eat and have little money to spend. According to the study published in the October 2003 issue of the “Journal of the American Dietetic Association” showed that the fast-food eaters had higher intakes of calories, saturated fat and sodium than the other subjects. Also by trying to obtain a full, satisfied belly, many people who frequently consumed fast food have lower intakes of vitamins A and C, dietary fiber, milk and fruits and vegetables than subjects who didn’t eat fast food. Needless to say, trying to fill up on fast food has many detrimental effects on one’s health, which in this case leads to millions of obese
It is said that fast food advertising is linked to rising childhood and teen obesity. The childhood obesity epidemic is a serious public health problem that increases morbidity, morality, and has substantial long-term economic and social costs (opposing viewpoints). Approximately 20% of our youth are now overweight with obesity rates in preschool age children increasing at alarming speed (opposing viewpoints). U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said, “obesity is the fastest-growing cause of illness and death in the United States.” When I read this I was shocked. This is something that can change, but its up to ourselves to make that commitment. No one else has the power to do so but us. Did you know that treating obesity-related problems cost Americans $117 billion annually, that’s $420 per person (CQ Researcher).