In discussions of the obesity epidemic, one controversial issue has been increasing regulations on junk food. On the one hand, supporters of the idea argue that it is the U.S. government 's responsibility to protect its citizens from diseases like obesity, and that extra regulations would do just that. On the other hand, detractors contend that more government regulations would limit consumer choice and infringe on human rights. Others even maintain that junk food should be illegal. My own view is that fast food corporations are mostly responsible for the obesity epidemic and should be further regulated. Yet some readers may challenge my view that the U.S. government should further regulate Junk food. After all, many believe that the government would be infringing on the rights of consumers. Indeed, my argument seems to ignore that you should be able to purchase and consume what you want, and that reducing obesity comes down to personal responsibility. However, I still maintain that further government intervention is required because although we may think we have a choice in what we eat, the addictive properties in fast food prevent us from selecting healthier options. In fact, according to a study conducted by the American Journal of …show more content…
This is because people are prone to eat from what is most convenient and inexpensive. As we all know what is most convenient and inexpensive is usually a fast food chain whose food is high in sugar and fat and is served in large portions. However, with the implementations of more stringent regulations on junk food the most convenient and inexpensive option would be much healthier. This would make it easier for consumers to eat healthier because fresher more nutritious food would be more ubiquitous and accessible. Thus, the obesity rate and healthcare costs would notably
The essay Junking Junk Food written by Judith Warner, brings to the audiences attention the wicked problem of how there has been a decline in Americans health. Warner’s information speaks loudly about being forced into a healthy lifestyle by the Obama administration. The Obama administration tried to enforce a healthy lifestyle among the citizens by focusing on the youth and taking away sugar options for them. Warner, puts her voice into this by mentioning the system during the world war when the soldiers had to eat overseas so there was less food consumption in America, which helped stop over consumption of food. Back then food was also much healthier thought, with less hormones, chemicals and less options of fast food. Again making it easier
Is fast food to blame for more obese Americans? Fast food restaurants advertise all their ingredients in plain sight. They provide healthy options to their more popular foods such as grilled items, skinless options, low calorie/no calorie beverages, and small portion orders. Most obese Americans are overweight because they are uneducated about the dangers of fast food. Once they learn about eating healthy, managing overweight issues becomes more elementary. Fast food restaurants should not be blamed for America 's obesity issue because there are healthier options, self-discipline, and self responsibility for each individual.
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.
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.
The government plays an important part in our safety, but many people think they take it too far. Recently, people have thought more and more about how much involvement the government should have when it comes to food regulations. Some people think the government's involvement in regulating food would greatly help obesity rates, and others think the country's obesity rates would show little to no improvement. Although no one cause of obesity exists, and no government regulations will likely alter someone’s lifestyle choices, the government should implement some regulations by implementing programs to educate and encourage citizens to lead a healthier life and by requiring companies to list a full disclosure of ingredients on their products.
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...
Worldwide one billion people are now obese, including 22 million children under the age of 5.
Has the fast food industry taken control of American obesity? Fast food has become a major part of American obesity. The number of obese Americans has greatly increased in the past few years. With the number of fast food restaurants popping up all over America, comes the number of obese Americans. Fast food is a cheap and convenient. With its high caloric content, it is easy to see why fast food can cause a heavy population. Fast food has become a leading factor for obesity in America. This is mainly because fast food is priced at a low cost, it is quick and easy, and lastly, it is packed with unwanted calories and fat.
The evidence as to why junk food should be regulated in school cafeterias is overwhelming. Poor eating habits developed at an early age lead to a lifetime of real health consequences. School is where children spend most of their time, and it is where we lay the foundation for healthy habits. In order to better understand my position we will examine the most common opposing arguments.
Fast food is the United States leading case of obesity; obesity is a major problem with many health and mental risks. As Sarah Muntel said in her Article Fast Food- Is It the Enemy, “33.8 percent of the U.S population is affected by obesity” (Muntel1); fast food is a big factor in most of the obesity in the United States fast food is the cause of obesity which is causing society to slow down. Because obesity means that someone is fat, they are slow and do not put the any effort to do any sort of action to improve society. These obese people are lazy to walk, cook and are more prone to a medical problem. They even have motorized carts in stores for those fat people to shop; this proves that they are lazy to walk. With the rate that fast food restaurant increasing and as well as increase of obesity, America will be known as one of the top five fattest countries in the world. As Sarah Muntel said “These foods are highly processed, full of fat, calories, and sodium” (Muntel 1), too much of any of these food can cause a huge problem, not only in wei...
In psychological studies, “Researchers believe that the same brain mechanisms that cause people to become addicted… are responsible for the compulsion many people feel to binge on high-calorie, high-fat foods” (Scripps 1). Binge eating comfort food has been the go-to source for some people wanting to relive stress or cope after an emotional event or a social fight. Doing this for a long period of time can lead to addiction to high-calorie intake episodes. Consumers can eat fast food without being unhealthy, the main key is self-control. Consumers who have thrown control out the window or simply don't care are under threat, “Because of its heavy reliance on products that are high in sugar, fat, and calories, the fast food industry is a major force behind skyrocketing health problems and obesity in humans”(Tyre 1). Companies have denied that they are the underlying cause of obesity, as said before, they blame consumers inability to control themselves, “Fast-food makers call the obesity lawsuits "absurd," and the junk-food industry is battling any efforts to curb its sales”(Thompson 1). Fast food chains will do anything to keep the profit rolling in. Blaming consumers self-control isn't an answer since high-calorie foods are becoming the newest addiction in America. Fast food chains are responsible for the calories that are in their meals and every
Fast Food and Obesity In the last century, advancements in medical treatments have made many diseases that were practically a death sentence in the past curable. However, there is currently an epidemic of a different sort: obesity. The image problem doesn’t help. After all, most would associate being fat with Santa Claus before associating it with disability and death (Duncan 1).
It became so clear that junk foods lead to a punch of catastrophic diseases like obesity, type two diabetes, vascular diseases and cardiac disorders. Those kinds of diseases cost more than $150 billion annually, just to diagnose, treat people who suffer from them. That disease is chronic and leads to many health-related issues, for example, obesity considers a risk factor for type two diabetes, and high blood pressure, joint disorders and many others (The Denver Post 2012). The key of preventing many chronic problems is nutrition. Low income plays an important role of limiting most people to buy and eat a healthy diet and in the other hand, it is easy for people budgets to purchase junk foods. So controlling the prices of healthy foods to be suitable for all people make good nutrition available for everyone. Adequate diets mean decreasing the epidemic of those serious diseases, and stopping the spread and break the bad sequences that may happen. Long-term exposure to junk foods that are full with chemicals like additives, preservatives have led to chronic illnesses difficult to treat. Also, the chemical added to junk foods are tasted unique and made millions of people becoming addicted to them and are available everywhere for example in restaurants, cafes, lunchrooms (The Denver Post
...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.
“At a time when an alarming number of teenagers are overweight and out of shape, these advocates say the last thing America’s schoolchildren need is a cola war that stations more vending machines in hallways and makes it easier for kids to buy soda.” (Kaufman) Like Mare Kaufman said, there is an alarming number of teenagers overweight and out of shape. Being overweight often leads to obesity which can cause serious health issues. Schoolchildren should not have sweet sugary soda available to them during school hours. This is the kind of drink that is fattening America’s children and making them become obese. Sugar is jam packed with empty calories that do nothing but make kids have poor health. “In Huntington, West Virginia one half of adults are obese.” (Pilot) One half of a population being not just overweight, but obese, is outrageous. Although this is only a city in a small state, if this pattern continues all of America could be obese. Being obese is being twenty percent over your ideal body weight. “One out of three children are obese.” (Harris) Junk food being sold in schools contributes to childhood obesity. Since various schools teach the subject health, and about healthy living in general, they should not be hypocritical. Saying to eat healthy, then selling junk food is contradictory, ironic, and perverse. Overall, completely banning junk food from being sold in