Societal Marketing Concept

19 September 20004. http://harcourtassessment.com/hai/images/dotcom/sciencedirect/j.intell.2004.03.003.pdf Kirby, Jane. Dieting for Dummies. New York: Hungry Minds, Inc, 1998 Pipher, Mary. Reviving Ophelia. New York: Ballantine Books, 1994 “The Better Known Eating Disorders” ANRED.

“One ordinance has passed by the Los Angeles City Council that bans the issuance of permits relating to the construction of any new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles, California to promote healthy eating choices” (Creighton, 2009, p. 249). This law stops fast food restaurants from building any new stores in South Los Angeles. This law tells people that the “government is better at making choices for people than the people are for themselves” (Creighton, 2009, p. 249). It is like the government is treating their citizens like children making decisions for them, because they do not know better. Fast food restaurants should not be blamed for the consumers’ health problems, because it is the consumers’ choice to eat there, and these restaurants are not as bad as anti-fast food activists make them out to be.

“The Fast Food Trap: How Commercialism Creates Overweight Children.” Commercialalert.org. Commercial Alert, 31 Oct. 2003. Web. 8 May 2011. Zinczenko, David.

Weintraub, K. (2012). Supersize Crisis: Boston Globe [Boston, Mass]. G.12. Young, L.R; Nestle, M. (2007).Portion Sizes and Obesity: Responses of Fast-Food Companies: Journal of Public Health Policy 28.2: 238-48.

In order to maintain significant market share of the industry, fast food companies must entice people of all ages and advertise alternative menu options, even if the nutrition content does not support the messaging. The advertisement of “healthy” fast foods as nutritious often results in calorie under estimation and overeating by the consumer. The reality is Fast Food companies hoax their costumers into purchasing the advertised healthy products, but do not provide enough nutritional information for them to make healthy decisions. In “The Indictments Against Advertising” by Courtland L. Bovee and William F. Arens, both authors of business and contemporary advertising textbooks, briefly discuss advertising’s effect on the consumer and shows the implications of businesses, in this case the fast-food industry, persuading people to “want what they don’t need” (Bovee 358). The advertising technique of persuasion leads to false impressions of a product, much like the advertisement claims of selling healthy fast food.

Bittman has a point: food industries are spreading propaganda in their advertisement about how healthy their products are. The food industry should take responsibility for that, but it is still up to the individual to eat healthy. Food industries should not be forced to adhere to regulations. Food industries spend billions of dollars advertising products to children. In the past the Federal Trade Commission has held back from taking an aggressive role in controlling the way food industries advertise.

By law it is required for food-producing companies to place a label on their products with a listing of the serving size and ... ... middle of paper ... ...ng sugar and fats. The junk food companies know this, but they don’t care, because it makes them rich. In summary, this is why by law, all fast-food companies should have forced limitations on distribution which has lead to the rise of obesity in America. By taking a stand against the rise of obesity, America’s bodies will be in healthy condition, and are able to be the positive motivation for others to follow. Once more people choose to live a happy and healthful life, the decrease of obesity will begin to show.

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. Best selling author of Eat This, Not That, David Zinczenko’s article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” blames the fast food industry for the growing rate of obesity in the United States. Zinczenko’s main idea is that fast food companies should have warning labels on all the food they supply. Zinczenko believes that since health labels are put on tobacco and preserved food product, fast food industries should put labels on today’s fast food.

Americans have also began to genetically modify organisms in order to make plants or other consumable foods taste better, or to produce their own pesticide. Some of these GMO’s have actually been found to cause many health problems as well as possible environmental issues ( "50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods."). Due to todays diet, the obesity rate in America has escalated to an alarming rate, more so in low income families. In todays market fresh vegetables and fruit are more expensive than something that is sweet and high in fat (“Food Choices and Diet Costs: An Economic Analysis”). The cost of healthy food being higher causes many Americans to buy foods that are unhealthy and full of additives.

But supporters believe government regulation would place social pressure so individuals can eat healthy food. Due to the rise of obesity rates in recent years, efforts to curb obesity have been futile. By implementing government regulation, fast food companies would be pressured to limit their influence on individuals. Los Angeles considers introducing a two-year moratorium on the construction of new fast food restaurants in the South Central neighborhood. If the moratorium passes, it may be the first health-zoning law in the United States (Wood, Diet-conscious 1).