In looking below the surface of America’s love affair with fast foods, research finds some revealing manifestations that are propelling increasing obesity rates and are thus pushing us toward a growing health epidemic. The increasingly busy lifestyles of our society along with our overreliance on processed and pre-packaged foods are driving the multi-billion dollar food industry today. The food industries' strategy to optimize profits through mass produced and processed foods is creating physically addictive products similar to tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs with equally predictable consequences. These products need to be more clearly understood, identified and labeled for their potentially destructive nature to consumers. Historically, research tagged many of the health consequences to the disease of obesity, without looking at the root issue of obesity itself. Furthermore, increasing evidence is showing that obesity is really the result of the true disease, including eating disorders and food addictions. Statistically, one study by “Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA)” (Tree.com) shows the alarming rise in fast food consumption over the last 2.5 decades, supporting available evidence that addiction is one of the key underlying issues.
The potential scope of this problem touches nearly every demographic in society today. It extends from the parent feeding their toddler an easy meal of Chicken Nuggets, to the elderly couple who no longer have the energy to cook meals from scratch, to look for a simple solution. Our society is becoming addicted to prepared, pre-packaged and processed foods that are ready with a mere touch of a keypad, or a fast drive through pickup, while behind the scene massive prof...
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...ffair with fast foods you actually find compelling evidence that supports the theory of highly processed foods having some responsibility in the growing obesity epidemic and potentially the overall health of society. Though more research is necessary, there is enough information to at least lead us to start communicating the potential risks associated with highly processed foods and how more natural alternatives can not only help maintain a healthier weight and furthermore reduce the higher risk of eating disorders, food addiction and potentially more severe health effects and illnesses. The communication needs to start with parents who can best control the diets of children with an eye toward changing a generational trend that has been 30+ years in the making although creating campaigns to raise state and national awareness can help support the individual efforts.
With the world moving faster and faster everyday many people find themselves too busy to cook a healthy meal at home every night and find themselves leaning on fast food for convenience. This convenience leads many to consume fast food from a variety of rather unhealthy restaurant choices multiple days a week. The unhealthy food we see being sold in these restaurants contributes to the unhealthy food Americans are putting in their mouths everyday, leading to poor nutrition, weight gain, and eventually obesity. These fast food restaurants are the “kings of convenience,” and with the busy lives many Americans live today they draw a lot of customers. This essence of convenience is a dangerous temptation that many Americans give in to every day and the unhealthy fast food they consume contributes greatly to their
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
Obesity can be caused by a combination of fast food and the environment people live in today. Fast food contains foods that are high in fats, sugars, and starches. These ingredients have rarely any nutritional value to the human body. Most of the foods available at fast food restaurants like McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC contain concentrated salt and preservatives to enhance the flavor in them. Obesity has become the defining aspect of our nation by surrounding the people with fast food products. The freedom to choose what one wants, gives the fast food companies the right to give one unhealthy food. The consumption of fast food products regularly greatly increases one’s chance of having health disparities such as Coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, stroke, Hypertension, and Osteoarthritis. These negative effects are present with the daily eating of fast foods.
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
One out of every three Americans is obese and the majority of these obese people in the United States have eaten regularly at fast food restaurants. As the obesity rate increases, the number of fast food restaurants goes up as well. Although it is not certain, many believe that obesity in the United States is correlated to eating fast food. Since the United States has the highest obesity rate out of any country, it is important for Americans to monitor the fast food industry that may be causing obesity. With the pressure to get things done in a timely manner, fast food became a big necessity. However, when creating fast food restaurants, the industries were not thinking about the negative effects such as obesity. Other than obesity, other harmful effects exist as well. Fast food restaurants serve unhealthy products such as greasy foods and artificial meat that lead to dietary health issues in many adults and children. A recent study showed that “Young children who are fed processed, nutrient-poor foods are likely to become unhealthy teenagers, and eventually unhealthy adults. Now twenty-three percent of teens in the U.S. are pre-diabetic or diabetic, 22% have high or borderline high LDL cholesterol levels, and 14% have hypertension or prehypertension” (May, Kuklina, Yoon). The food that they provide is made to be eaten quickly, causing problems for the digestive system. Also, the health problems lead to the use for health insurance, which adds to the costs of Medicare. Health care costs will only worsen an already failing economy. Therefore, the government should regulate fast food restaurants in the United States in order to repair the deteriorating health and economy in America.
Food is an important aspect of one’s life. There are various options and places to consume food. Nowadays fast food is caused certain leads to various issues for certain individuals. There is healthy food, unhealthy food, frozen food, and lastly microwaved food. I was once in a stage in my life where I had two years after the age of twelve to make a choice to eat healthier and stop eating processed food. Or else I would’ve been six feet under by now. In discussions these authors David Zinczenko, Tod Marks, and Mark Bittman, have one controversial issue that has been about fast food. On the one hand, Zinczenko argues fast food should warn consumers exactly what they’re consuming. On the other hand, Mark and Bittman contend that fast food companies should be left alone and consumers should adapt and make the choice.
In the United States, Food is one of the basic needs of life.We tend to spend tons of money every year to buy food. Consuming food reflects America’s culture in the United States. In America, Fast food is a way to enjoy delicious food made with sugar, fat and salt. It’s impossible to back away from eating good tasting food. Unfortunately, this is leading to major destruction. In the human life, food procurement, preparation, and consumption have devoted to an art form.Spite the terms of “America has a food problem,” it shows that our nation is unable to produce and supply safe, nutritious food in a way where it sustains our global population. Health Issues are a result of over consumption, which lead to portion sizes, and food production.
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.
There is no surprise that food is important in all aspects of our lives—it is shared amongst families, celebrated as a major part of our culture, and crucial to our daily routine that keeps us fit, healthy, and active. Today’s western culture glorifies a skewed perspective on how food is supposed to fit into our lives. Somehow this perception has led us to believe we no longer have the time or money it takes to prepare a wholesome, healthy meal that is shared at the dinner table with family. Instead, we are trained to want a meal that is fast, cheap, and easy. This meal is usually highly processed and filled with sugars and fats. This has led us to a problem of epidemic proportions characterized by the rapid increase in obesity and diabetes.
In conclusion, this essay has provided a variety of facts on how fast-food industry is becoming the new tobacco. In addition, how the poor eating habits adopted by Americans are at their worst and culminating to health complications. Therefore, there need be more medical interventions dealing with challenges such as diet drugs, food substitution, and alternative food restaurants. The government should also advocate for foods and services that are more informative to the consumer on matters nutritional characteristics and safety standards in foods, all in all it is common sense that majority of Americans have poor feeding habits in comparison to those who follow health diets making fast food the new tobacco.
Every month, at least ninety percent of Americans visit a fast food restaurant and about forty- five percent of them make it a weekly occurrence. These statistics make it safe to say Americans are obsessed with fast food, but why are Americans addicted to these restaurants? Is it the low prices, quick service or the taste of the food? According to Eric Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side off the All-American Meal, he believes “It’s easy, it's filling, and it's convenient and inexpensive.” Therefore, the consumption of fast food is now directly correlated to the obesity epidemic in America. Consequently, the recent obesity increase in the United States has labeled America the fattest country.
It has become common today to dismiss the topic of obesity due to the fast food diets. In discussions about obesity, one controversial issue has been the effect fast food restaurants have on health. Many people today do not want to realize how badly fast food affects the human body. They also do not want to accept the fact that obesity has become such a major problem in today’s world. “Today, one in three adults is considered clinically obese, along with one in five kids, and 24 million Americans are afflicted by type 2 diabetes, often caused by poor diet”(Moss 477). On the other hand, companies president 's argue that it’s not their fault that people are becoming obese and developing other health issues due to their products. These companies
Obesity is a big social issue in America. Due to the popularity of fast food and other unhealthy foods, more and more Americans are developing health diseases and disorders. We should be getting the correct daily nutrition amount, but because of our fast paced lifestyles we sometimes do not have enough time. Fast food restaurants make it possible to grab a meal and go. We often do not pay attention to the nutrition amount, but are simply looking for a quick bite to eat that will fulfill our hunger. Fast food is assisting in the increase of obesity in America (“Phrase” par.2).
Food addiction can lead to serious and difficult health concerns. Nevertheless, obesity has other health issues that comes with it as well. In the United States between 2007 and 2009 there has been a 1.1% increase of obesity (Pedram). There has been an assumption that if it continues by 2050 it would be close to 100% of Americans who would be obese (Pedram). This information explains that the increase in overconsumption of food can slowly make most Americans suffer from obesity. Another issue of obesity is that it is “the fifth leading cause of global death” (Pedram). Becoming a food addict can cause an individual into becoming obese that they may eventually face death. Food addiction has become quite a controversial that it is difficult to overcome as fast food restaurants are encouragement in individuals to choose the path of obesity. Nevertheless, obesity is still a health issue that is harmful and dangerous to an