...knowledge about the issues facing children who are struggling with obesity, with a primary focus on parental involvement. Parents need to understand the seriousness of allowing their children to consume whatever they want, and how much they want: We are seeing hypertension, heart disease, some cancers, breathing difficulties, and type II diabetes in more children today than ever before. Opposing arguments claim that it is not the fault of the parents; however, infants don’t have control over how much they are fed, and toddlers lack the cognitive development to make an informed decision about their food choices. Young children themselves are not to blame, so focus on parents seems reasonable. America is challenged with a growing rate of childhood obesity, and public knowledge regarding solutions remains inadequate. We can do a better job of promoting the issue by helping parents understand the seriousness of childhood obesity; the best way to approach this is likely through marketing. The Fight against Childhood Obesity The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight and obese is now higher than ever before: Over the last 25 years, childhood obesity has more than quadrupled (Get America Fit Foundation, 2012). Childhood obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (a measurement calculated using a child's weight and height) that is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Obesity is caused by long-term positive energy imbalance: When the total...
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...There is a war brewing in America, and endless war we have been losing for the past 20 years. This war includes children, teenagers, adults and older generations and does not have a pardon for anyone. The war I am referring to is within us, for an obese free and healthier United States of America. Over the years, obesity has become a major health issue in the United States and is a large contributor to deaths and increased health care costs. But who is responsible for this? Is it the consumers? The government? Or do we blame the food service industries supplying us with processed “fast food”. Although, there are many arguments and numerous studies that have been conducted on the subject of obesity, obesity is caused by multiple factors and a combination of trends. As a society, we all have a social and personal responsibility, from the consumer, to the suppliers and even government, to stand up against obesity. Unless we all work simultaneously, obesity will continue to be a growing trend in the United States. Over the years, trends have changed and so have we as a nation. We have gone from family home cooked meals to a fast food meal on the go. The obesity rate in the United States is amongst the highest in the world. The CDC notes that more than one third of American population is overweight. In the US, every state has a 20% or more obesity rate, while in Illinois it is at 28%. But how did we become a super sized nation? Although personal responsibility is key, there...
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...Obesity rates have increased rapidly in the last 20 years and much debate has occurred over who should take the blame. Many feel that the blame lies solely on the obese individual. It is their claim that if obese individuals exercised and ate healthier than they would lose weight and obesity would no longer exist. But there are many contributing factors that they do not take into consideration. Of course, studies have shown that the rate of obesity in America has gone up primarily due to inactivity and increased intake of fast food but, many other forces have impacted the obesity rates such as "gender, race, socioeconomic position and age"(Ailshire & House 1). The blame can even be laid at the feet of the industries that fuel our country....
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...Does Fast Food Cause Obesity? Every time Americans tune into the local news broadcasts or scroll through their television channels, they are likely to be stunned at the number of cases of obesity that have been reported in Americans. Seeing human beings that weigh over six hundred pounds has become a popular trend in today’s society, and it’s not even questioned even though many harsh consequences come from being obese. It is sometimes difficult to imagine how these people have sustained this kind of weight and lifestyle. Inevitably, people begin to question whether or not fast food is the cause of obesity rising in America today. Before we can clarify that fast food companies are to blame for people over eating the food produced in these facilities, it must be tested and proven that fast food is actually the main problem causing obesity in America. It is known to many people how the number of fast food restaurants are increasing almost every day. This is very convenient for fast food restaurant chains. Fast-food increases obesity by lowering food prices, tempting customers who have absolutely no self-control, and by being a suitable go to at the end of a very busy day. What causes individuals to consume fast food to the point where they cannot stop themselves? People hold different opinions on this topic. In the past, people in the United States used to eat healthy, eat nutritious prepared food and meals, and exercise with their families. Today, many people in the United...
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...Thinking Professor Catherine Newman Obesity in America 3/14/2014 A lot has been said about the topic that I am choosing to write about. Obesity in America is a huge problem with not only adults but children as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) states that statistically speaking more than one-third of US adults (35.7%) is obese, for children the CDC states that 15.21% are obese. JAMA (2012) Many blame the recent development of technology i.e. video games, TV, and the media. Even our economy could be the one to blame, but we’ll dive into that later on. Throughout this paper I will be talking about the causes of obesity, the effects obesity has, and how can we prevent it. What causes obesity? Throughout the generations we have experienced a lot of changes in the world such as advancement of technology, medical sciences, etc. Many children now a days are learning how to get an infinite kill streak in Call of Duty, rather than learning how to play ultimate Frisbee, or 2 hand touch football. We also put a lot of emphasis on lets say...
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...Blaming Fast Food Restaurants for Obesity Let’s face it; everyone loves a Whopper every now and then. Yet we are all aware that one too many can bring on dangerous and life-threatening results. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States and more and more children are being affected. But do uneducated families have the right to put the blame on fast food restaurants for their health issues they could have easily prevented? I believe that we are taking it too far by blaming fast food restaurants for obesity and that it is an individual’s responsibility to take the blame. The first fast food restaurants developed in America in the 1920’s and the United States has grown to have the largest fast food industry in the world. Currently one third of American children are obese or at risk of becoming obese and 67% of Americans are obese. McDonald’s was invented in the 1940’s and has since acquired millions of lawsuits for their extremely unhealthy food. Burger King soon followed in the 50’s and has also received its fair share of lawsuits. Some believe that suing consistently is acceptable because they are using their freedom of using the court system but many believe that it is a frivolous waste of time. Because fast food has become increasingly available, many Americans use the opportunity to eat their food whenever they want it and at a low cost. Yet when the visits are far too often they look for someone else to blame for their mistakes. Take Gregory Rhymes...
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...In this argumentative blog, Janelle Stanish examine whether or not fast food restaurants are the cause for the increase in diabetes and obesity by asking herself; “Are fast food chains the bad guys?”, “Are we all genetically pre-disposed to be “fat” or “skinny”?” and “Whether or not there is another factor contributing to the widespread obesity problem?”. The author explained that personal choices, lack of exercise, and genetic disposition all play a role in a person’s weight but there are other things that influence our weight like the fast food chains. She stated that number one thing that influenced us is the advertisement because fast food chains spend billions of dollar a year to develop product packaging and marketing techniques, so that consumer buy more food. Stanish stated that when the big companies are called out to the front they are quick to defend themselves by asking; “Are we to blame for merely providing...
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...people blame today’s fast food restaurants for the obesity problem that society is facing. But is the fast food industry to blame? Are we the ones to blame? Those are some of the questions that we should answer for ourselves, and look for a rapid and secure solution to our society. Not only among adults, but children and teenagers, who are the ones affected from what we can call an epidemic situation of obesity. Doctors, teachers, even first ladies, are trying to educate the population, not just about diets, but a healthier way of life. Life today is not like how it was before. People used to eat foods without chemicals, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors which are known as Fast Foods. Long days of working and training affects our choices for food, a meal from the nearest fast food restaurant becomes an appealing idea. Most of the people who eat junk food more frequent don't know how bad the effect is it has on their body, which can be prevented if they use more healthy alternatives. When growing up, there were not many concerns about childhood obesity. In my youth I hadn’t seen nor heard of so many arguments and shows on TV, such as the big looser, where the participants have to diet and extreme exercise to lose weight in a time frame while the show last. Commercials, where celebrities talk about the growing problem and give some quick advice. Some of the food products that we used to buy were not as studied and regulated because back then child obesity wasn’t as...
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...Boseley’s book ‘’The shape we’re In’’ published in 2014. The article mainly discusses the issue of obesity in England. Sarah Boseley focuses on the effects of obesity ‘’This is about a very real threat to our health. Obesity is a life shortening condition’’ and whether or not the issue with obesity is caused by the manufactures, the government or people themselves. Everyone is concerned with his or her health. ‘’Am I going to die because of a heart attack?’’, ‘‘will I be able so see my grandkids’’, ‘’do others think I look fat?’’, ‘’Am I a bit overweight?’’ These are all questions most people ask themselves at some point in their life. Sarah Boseley’s article ‘’How Britain got so fat’’ speaks to a broad audience, since most age groups concerns about their health. Obesity is a phenomenon we hear about in the radio, see on the television or read about in articles. “Obesity looks like Georgia, we think. It doesn’t look like us’’. Sarah Boseley states that most people associate obesity with the way we look and the size of the clothes we wear. But obesity is something very serious and should be considered a threat to the life expectancy of humans. The big question Sarah Boseley is searching for is ‘’who is to blame?’’. Obesity is not only one sided, there are many causes to the problem. Sarah Boseley starts her article with an example of an extreme degree of obesity. Georgia Davis a teenage girl weighing 400 kilos, had a wall torn down, in order for a medical team...
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...Who is to Blame for Childhood Obesity? Childhood obesity has been a hot topic over the past few years. With this crisis on the rise, many are asking who is to blame. Is it the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? Maybe it is the ad companies that promote sugar filled foods to catch the eye of young ones, as well as the food distributors. Some say it is the cafeteria’s fault in your local school. Others protest that it is the obese child’s parents who we should be blaming. Some love to blame it on their genetics, saying “It runs in the family, we are just heavy naturally”. The truth is, we can blame all of these factors, but really the responsibility falls on the government. The FDA website clearly shows their slogan that states, “U.S. Food and Drug Administration Protecting and Promoting Your Health” (fda.gov). Is the FDA really looking out for our health and even more so our children’s health? The FDA website says that when it comes to foods they are responsible for labeling and the safety of all food products (except meat and poultry). This means that the foods in your supermarket that are FDA approved are supposed to be safe, what does “safe” mean according to the FDA? Many of these products are not healthy. Not only are they not healthy, but they are targeting young children, which the FDA is responsible for labeling. As far as parents go, many of us aren’t educated enough and think that if it is FDA approved then it is healthy, after all, the...
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...Introduction A. According to Dr. Ananya Mandal, MD, Fast Food is 11 percent of American Diet. B. Obesity has now become a public health problem in the United States of American. C. It also has caused long-term health conditions, for example, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, fatty, and much more (Dr. Ananya Mandal, MD) Thesis Statement: Since obesity has increased over the past few years, people are now going back to the reason why obesity increases greatly on kids, why they blame fast food restaurants and its relationship with obesity. II. The “National Bureau of Economic Research” noted, since, in the early 70s, children age 6 to 19 are classified as overweight and has tripled from 5 percent to 17 percent. A. Research wonder why and...
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...Childhood Obesity Rates: A Shared Responsibility Obesity rates have increased over the past several years, especially in children. Many Americans are quick to place responsibility on fast food restaurants for obesity rates increasing. Some people have even stated that fast food is addicting like tobacco and that the government should step in and regulate what restaurants can serve. Who purchases these meals? Is the fast food industry really to blame, when we as parents purchase these unhealthy meals for our children? Fast food is not the sole reason behind obesity, but it does contribute to it. Some will agree that obesity can be caused by a number of different factors such as minimal nutritional education, limited exercise, and lack of school nutrition support programs. Some will say that fast food is a convenience or is inexpensive. In the article, “Don’t Blame the Eater”, David Zinczenko states “My parents were split up, my dad off trying to rebuild his life, my mom working long hours to make monthly bills. Lunch and dinner, for me, was a daily choice between McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or Pizza Hut. Then as now, these were the only available options for an American kid to get an affordable meal” (391-392). Is it because the food is a convenience or was it the low price of having a quick meal? Who is to blame in this situation? Zinczenko blamed fast food companies and having a single mother as the reason he was overweight. Once he became an adult joined...
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...“Don’t Blame the Eater” is an article that is written by David Zinczenk that discusses something that has become a major problem in the United States here lately, obesity. I found that Zinczenko attempts to argue against the practices of fast-food companies, and he also argues that the number of fast food restaurants that offer affordable, yet very unhealthy meals, is directly related to the growing obesity rate in our country. Zinczenko states in paragraph five, “Today, according to the National Institutes of Health, Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes in this country.” I believe that he does not blame the eater or the parents for allowing them to become so unhealthy, but instead he blames the fast food companies. In the beginning of paragraph seven he ask, “Shouldn’t we know better than to eat two meals a day in fast-food restaurants?” Zinczenko continues by answering the question with, “But where, exactly, are consumers—particularly teenagers— supposed to find alternatives? Drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you’ll see one of country’s more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants.” So basically, Zinczenko believes fast-food packages should provide calorie information, and also warning labels. Although he uses facts and personal experiences to support his arguments, I find his arguments persuasive, but I disagree with him. Zincenko does an excellent job at giving objections to his arguments, even though he...
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...HEAD: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1 Childhood Obesity C. Kevin Barr SOC120 John Meeks February 8, 2013 CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2 Childhood Obesity and the Health Concerns Obesity is such a hot topic in America today and childhood obesity and the ethical arguments over obesity has greatly increased over the last 10 years. Health problems that occur from this deadly disease is something that no one wants to talk about. When people think about health, what usually is discussed is cancer or heart disease. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there that is really not taken very seriously and that is obesity. In America there are hundreds of thousands of children that are overweight. Obesity is a disease, a disease associated with many other health issues, including congestive heart problems, diabetes among other physical and mental complications associated with this disease. We will discuss throughout this paper how one of the classical theories would help resolve the problems that are associated with the dangers of childhood obesity, then discuss the perspective of society and how it relates to relativism in today's world. There are many arguments about how childhood obesity starts, who's to blame for allowing this to happen and societies ethical and moral obligation associated with fixing the problem. Who or what is to blame for the increasing...
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...Who’s to blame for obesity in America? Is the fast food company who provides the food or us who eat that food? According to Don’t Blame the Eater by David Zinczenko, he says that the fast food companies are to blame. However, I beg to differ; we are responsible for the obesity in America. The fast food companies doesn’t come to your door and ask you to eat their food, instead it’s the other way around. The reason why there is obesity in America is because of the choices that people make and the money that they have. Also the lack of understanding of nutritional values goes hand to hand with the choice that people make. Lots of people eat at unhealthy fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Taco Bell is because they have cheap food. But that don’t mean that fast food is always the best choice. There are fast food restaurant which are little more expensive, but lot healthier, like Chipotle and Subway. The problem with fast food restaurants like Chipotle is that there aren’t that many around like McDonalds. In his essay David Zinczenko wrote that “restaurants like McDonalds don’t have nutritional fast on its food because it isn’t covered under Food and Drug Administration laws, so most people don’t know what they are eating and what kind of nutrients are in it”. But I believe that it is the consumers’ job to find out what they are putting in the body. Also restaurants like McDonalds and Taco Bell have become symbol of American fast food. If you ask anybody to name one fast food...
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