Obesity in the United States

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Obesity is a common, but very serious health issue in America. It has become so common that people often blame a healthy, slim person for being underweight. Although a small percentage of people are underweight the main percentage of people are obese; this percentage is increasing daily. Individuals often place the fault of obesity’s increasing rate on factors causing it, but in actuality the lack of self-control is the main cause. Common complaints against fast food restaurants are ‘“They make people fat” (qtd in Buchholz 84). ”They hypnotize the kids” (qtd in Buchholz 84). “Bribe the kids with toys” (qtd in Buchholz84). “They destroy our taste for more sophisticated foods”’ (qtd in Buchholz 84). Fast food is a factor people blame for causing the increase in obesity because of the innutritious foods, large portions, and drive thru convenience. The typical fast food restaurants do serve burgers, fries, fried chick, etc. which are high in salt, fat, and sugar, but they do offer healthier choices including salads, fruits and grilled chicken (Roizman). America runs on a consumer-producer economy which means the producer is only going to sell what the consumer buys. Most Americans do not have the self-control to stay away from the innutritious foods and eat the healthier choices; therefore restaurants sell more unhealthy choices. “If customers choose to ignore the healthy items in favor of the more fattening ones…they do not have the right to blame fast-food restaurants for their choices” (Buchholz 83). Compared to the first fast food restaurants opened, the portion sizes have increased sixty to two-hundred calories because, ‘“The food is the least of the cost of a food product. Labor, packaging, marketing cost more,” says NYU Nes... ... middle of paper ... ...ulture of the past with Today." Comparing Agriculture of the past with Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014. . Gomez, Gregory L. "When Did Obesity Become an Issue?" NaturalNews. N.p., 19 Oct. 2012. Web. 04 May 2014. . Roizman, Tracey. "The Advantages of a Home Cooked Meal." Healthy Eating. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 04 May 2014. . Spake, Amanda, and Mary B. Marcus. "The Fast-Food Industry Contributes to Obesity." Obesity. Ed. Erin Dillon. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven, 2007. 70-82. Print. Winterfeld, Amy. "Low-Income Americans Face a High Risk of Obesity." Obesity. Ed. Erin Dillon. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven, 2007. 49-57. Print.

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