...Aakash Shah 10/15/12 Effects of Obesity While I am not obese, and I do not ever plan on it, I have a personal connection to obesity and the nature of the epidemic. I am an EMT for the Middlesex Area and I see many different things while on the job. Something that really hit home to me was how obesity was so widespread yet no one cared to turn his or her cheeks toward the issue. I have personally seen many different cases of obese people that struggle with the simplest tasks, including going to the bathroom, driving, walking their dogs. Essentially this epidemic lets people eat themselves into oblivion and depression leads to overeating and pleasure eating. My personal connection to this subject drives me to exemplify to society that this is a pressing issue and everything should be done to cap it and stop its progression. The United States of America today follows many different trends and patterns within its society. Societal trends have been evident through the history of the nation. A pattern that has revolutionized society today is the health craze. The sport of being fit is a priority and people are getting in shape better than ever. Commercials from athletic conglomerate corporations such as Nike, Reebok, and Adidas are marketing being fit with new gear, sneakers, and apparel to attract people to such products. But, there is an issue at large. A rising issue in the United States is obesity, which is cited to be a major health issue in recent decades but had grown to...
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...Taylor English 103.43 The College Student Diet Fast food restaurants are all around college campuses, giving students easy access to them. Many college students save valuable time by going to these fast food restaurants to eat. College students who have classes all day have only a limited lunch hour. During this time, many students run errands or finish homework, and therefore have only a few minutes for a quick lunch. Eating fast food can also be very convenient, because now they can take the food back to their dorm or apartment, and eat in the comfort of their own home. This also allows them to study and eat at the same time, and they don’t have to worry about dishes, or put away any leftovers. Fast food restaurants take care of these tasks, because they place the food in paper bags or Styrofoam containers which can be used as plates and then thrown away after use. Also most college students don’t have a lot of money and this can be a relatively cheaper than going to the grocery store or eating in the college’s cafeteria. Although each individual fast food meal may seem cheap at the time you purchase it, its long-term health effects prove to be very costly. Fast food usually contains a narrow range of nutrients, and a steady diet of fast food proves to be detrimental to the body. Fast food can lead to obesity, other major health issues, and a lack of energy which could hurt a student’s academic performance. Although fast food seems perfect for students, there are some major...
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...Should businesses be held liable for negative effects of their products on the very customer who chooses to buy it? In Pelman vs. McDonalds is a cause that was brought on behalf of a group of young people who claim that McDonald’s food is responsible for their obesity and ill health. The courts dismissed the case, but it brings up many correlations with the lawsuits against the tobacco industry and the questions of responsibility of marketers. Introduction In August of 2002 a lawsuit against the McDonalds Corporation was brought forward on behalf of a group of overweight children. The lawsuit alleged that McDonald’s food was responsible for their obesity and ill health. The plaintiffs allege that McDonalds falsely claimed to have healthier options, all the while pushing the upsizing of their more well-known items. (Mello, Rimm, & Studdert, 2015). Should a company be responsible to advise the consumers of the possible negative effects of their products? Should companies who fail to provide the facts to their customers be held legally responsible for the outcome? McDonalds In Pelman vs. McDonalds the complainants had some uphill battles with proving their obesity and ill-health were directly related to McDonald’s food. In the complaint it was alleged that McDonalds was negligent by failing to warn customers of the side effects of their products. The complaint also states that McDonalds fraudulently represented they offered healthier food options and marketed it as such. One of the...
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...quickly resolve your trouble. Fast food restaurants have been rapidly growing since the 1900’s and are now a food source we highly depend on as a society. It wasn’t long ago that the standard was for a family to sit down to a home cooked meal. This standard has severally changed over the years. While having the option to pick up dinner on the way home or have it delivered to our door is convenient, at what point do we stop to consider the dangers of consuming a heart-attack in a sack? What once was considered a treat has now become the norm carrying more than just health concerns. Fast food restaurants have become very beneficial over the years by offering us convenience, agricultural stimulus, and slowing increasing their nutritional values, it’s time to consider other ways they effect our society. Eric Schlosser describes fast food best in his book Fast Food Nation The Dark Side of the All-American Meal when he says “It has become a social custom as American as a small, rectangular, hand-held, frozen, and reheated apple pie” (Eric Schlosser, 2002). Fast food has become more then just convenient for us, it has become a dependent. We no longer use fast food as an alternative when time is cut short but rather as a daily regimen. According to Statistic Brain, “50 million people are served fast food daily” (Statistic Brain, n.d). Fast food has several adverse effects that consumers are unaware of such as depression and addiction. Then there are the effects that we are aware of such...
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...Obesity Lawsuits Against the Fast Food Industry Final Paper August 2, 2013 Breanna Neal I. Introduction Should you be able to sue a restaurant such as McDonald’s for your obesity? Well, it depends who you ask. The customers of such fast-food companies believe their health problems were caused by overeating their addictive fatty foods. Lawmakers are on the other end of the spectrum attempting to ban such litigation because they believe that it is the consumer’s responsibility to not overeat. Today we live in a society where many do not want to take responsibility for their own actions. Everyone wants to jump on the band wagon and sue a business. I decided to take a look at the obesity lawsuits over the years against fast-food companies in order to find out what protection they have from such disgruntled customers. There are many different positions on the topic and various legal cases that went to court. In this research paper I am going to expand on my findings of this controversial topic. First, I will explain the history of obesity law suites and how the first one led many others to sue. Next, I will cite, describe, and analyze various obesity law suits against fast-food companies. Lastly, I will express my opinion on the topic and conclude the paper with an outlook on future obesity lawsuits. II. History of Obesity Litigation with Fast-Food Companies The fast-food industry has been around for decades. Its inexpensive tasty foods offer convenience to a society...
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...good, what is your personal opinion regarding fast food? NP: Fast food!! Well we all affected by fast food! Fast food may taste good to some people, but the truth is, it is dreadful for your health. More and more people are eating fast food, which is doing bad things to their health. SU: Good answer! Can you give me an example of how you are risk taker? NP: It depends on what type of risk it is. If it is a risk that would in any way compromise any one’s personal matter I am not certainly taking that kind of risk but, If it is fully appreciate that commercial success is dependent on taking risks then I’m not afraid take it. SU: Great Self-confident! Why do you think you would like to work with me in my project? NP: Since you are very good friend of mine and I knew you from my childhood, the main point is I like your topic that you choose “Fast food and Health” its draw my attention. It’s really important for all of us to avoid fast food to lead healthy life. SU: Thank You! NP: No problem. Spot Light On Eassy Fast food is a driving force behind the widespread of diet-related health conditions, setting our kids up for a lifetime of health problems. Nearly one out of every three children in the U.S. is now overweight or obese. The negative effects of fast food on our health include: Cardiovascular disease Cancer Liver disease Asthma Type-2 diabetes According to a study by the UK's Medical Research Council, fast food is extremely CARRY...
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...Obesity along with other heart diseases. America has been considered one of the fattest countries, poor eating habits and absence of exercise greatly contributes to these health problems. Critics blame fast food restaurants for the problem. In addition, they claim that their foods are unhealthy because of the excessive grams of fat that are in the burgers and other foods that they serve. But these restaurants serve food to people who chose to buy their products, whether consumers purchase these foods or not, it's a decision that they made. Consumers should not be too eager to place the blame on fast food companies they are responsible for their own health. The purpose of this paper is to show that people who sue fast food companies are not cautious about what they eat; they should be responsible for their own actions instead of suing food companies. John Bhanzaf is one of the most popular lawyers who pressed charges against Mc Donald's. He was known for winning a 280 billion settlement from a tobacco company, and now he's after fast food companies. The lawsuit was filed by Ashley Pelman, a minor, Roberta Pelman, Ashley's mother and Jazlen Bradley accompanied by her father Israel Bradley. Their claim was that Mc Donalds did not inform their customers the ingredients they use and the effects of eating their fast food products which they promote to be healthy. (Banzaf) Along with this claim they focused on McDonald's advertisement persuading children to buy their products. Representatives...
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...Fast food Fast Calories One of the basic strategies of food companies is availability. There are more than 300,000 fast food restaurants in the U.S. alone. In our society the normal typical Friday outing would be taking the family to a fast food joint and getting a burger meal and providing the kids a happy meal. Having a full fast food meal has become something weekly to the average family today. Every month almost nine out of 10 American children visit a McDonald's restaurant. The fast-food industry has always been a controversial topic, because of all the toxins and health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Some people say that the solution is to get rid of the fast food companies, yet is that truly a proper solution? Should all the blame be put on the companies or should the people be blamed for making bad decisions? Fast food companies provide relatively delicious, unhealthy food that are too tempting to be avoided; people irresponsibly eat too much of it causing them to blame the companies for their sick bodies. One main strategy that aids temptation is the use of images to increase the consumption of unhealthy food. We are showered with plenty of ads that easily brainwash us and persuade us into buying. Because the burger is perfectly put together, the fries look perfectly salted and at the best temperature, and the coke has the perfect amount of ice, the advertisement does nothing but make you imagine how good a bite, or sip would taste like. The food industry...
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...Fresh Food versus Fast Food Abstract Food is something all people require on a daily basis just to survive. There are many choices out there today and we have the convenience of driving in and out of a fast food place within five minutes with a complete meal or preparing one at home with rich, robust flavor and textures that is inherently healthier for us. It’s all about choices that fit our lifestyles. Keywords: eat, fresh, fast, healthy, flavor, convenience, nutrition Food – so many varieties, so little time. Eating is an activity that most of us do at least twice a day. People need food to survive, but can make different choices in the kind of food they choose to eat and where it comes from. Fresh, homemade food and fast foods have considerable differences in convenience, flavor and health effects. These days, having fast food seems to attract more people than having fresh, homemade food. Fast foods have gained popularity because they are readily available and convenient. Fast food places such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Subway are on every corner and offer a wide variety of foods that appeal to a large audience from children to adults and are accessible in minutes. We live in such a fast paced society where people are always on the go, work long hours, and have so many other commitments for themselves and their family. After working all day, the last thing...
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...QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR SOCIAL HEALTH RESEARCH Name Tutor University Course Date Table of Contents Contents Page Nos. Table of Contents 2 Abstract 3 Literature Review 4 Background 4 The Theory of Planned Behavior 8 Methods and Participants 9 Study Design 9 Data Collection 10 Demographic Details 11 Data Analysis 11 Conclusion 13 Recommendation 14 References 15 Appendices 17 APPENDIX 1: Ethics Form 17 APPENDIX 2: Preliminary Data Analysis 17 Interview Questions 17 APPENDIX 3: Thematic Data Analysis 17 Interview Questions 17 Abstract This study attempted to qualitatively investigate Australian student’s perception of the impact of excessive consumption of fast food on their health, studying in Flinders University. The sample consisted of University students with a diversity of demographic details, including sex, age, and the level of education. The researcher, a 27-year old student, used a purposeful sampling strategy to select respondents for the study. Four participants were convenient in making the results of the study dependable. He used four qualitative interviews as a method of data collection. While carrying out the interviews, the researcher used both open and closed ended questions. In order to ascertain that all the data was recorded, notes taking and audio recordings were used at every stage of the interview...
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...Process to Problems in Health Care University of Phoenix/HCS 465 Dr. Chad Moretz The website for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) has included some interesting facts on the rise of childhood obesity and how it has doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Lowell (2004) has studied and shown how the fast food is major factor in childhood obesity in the United States. There is emphasize on the fact that fast food and snacks with high amount of fats and sugar are the major role of obesity among children. Prevention and treatment programs has the opportunity to influence the health of children and decrease the rise of obesity by providing effective tools in nutrition, education, and physical activities (Cohen, Hazell, Vanstone, Plourde, Rodd &Weiler, 2013). In lowering the rise of obesity in children the fast food industry should begin to take on a responsible attitude towards how the food is prepared, pricing of vegetables labeling of salt, fat sugars levels particular; portions sizes (reducing them), and how its market (Lowell, 2004). Fast food restaurants serve more processed foods, which consumes more fats, sugars, and carbohydrates. The fast food industry provides less fruits and non-starchy vegetables. The food industry felt it is a personal responsibility not the industry. However, the industry must review how the obesity in children is a factor and threat within the United States. The fast food industry can see to find...
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...alone would have only portrayed assumptions and not proof to back up his thesis. If Spurlock solely relied on the experiment, individuals could question the probability of the results happening again or to other people. Interviews are conducted with average Americans and experts to medically explain and prove how fast food meals contribute to the U.S. obesity epidemic. The experiment is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the fast food industry’s influence to encourage poor nutrition, and to physically show the correlation between fast food and an unhealthy lifestyle. Both methods serve to validate one another because the responses from individuals supply the audience with data and information to better understand Spurlock’s experiment, while his personal experience provides data to support the information the interviewers give. Throughout the length of his experiment, experts are interviewed multiple times, which is crucial to reveal and explain the negative effects of fast food to the human body. As Spurlock prepares himself mentally, he sets appointments and interviews with a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, general practitioner, nutritionist, and personal trainer to examine his body and inform him of their predictions of the experiment. The doctor assumes that the McDiet would have a small affect on the patient’s triglycerides and an increase in weight gain. Spurlock’s plan to gather predictions from expertise clientele served as a base to what...
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...prove how quickly and harmful fast food could be on a person’s body, health, and wellbeing. The primary concept revolves around eating nothing but McDonald’s food for a period of 30 days for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This meant that any food not on the McDonald’s menu was not allowed to be consumed during this process. As Morgan Spurlock was lying around at home watching the news, he came across a report on two teenage girls whose parents had sued McDonalds, blaming MacDonald’s for their girl’s obesity problem. This news impulses him to pursue an investigation and experience hands on the cause and effect that resulted from eating McDonald’s food. In the documentary, Spurlock begins as a very healthy person. In fact, his health was above average. He weighed about 185lbs and his body fat was less than below average at an (11%). His cholesterol was under 200 which for his height, (6 feet and 2 inches) he was considered a healthy individual. In preparation to begin, Spurlock informs three doctors from three different specialties to embark with him in his journey of 30 days. It consisted of a cardiologist, gastroenterologists, and a general practitioner. The doctors all tested him in detail making sure his blood tests and levels were in great standing right before he began his binge. The doctors indicated that he would experience an increase in the levels of Triglyceride and cholesterol but overall at the end of his experiment, his health would probably not change that...
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...improve its global image, McDonald’s culture outside United States has been closely linked to the possibility of it bringing changes in dietary trends. Statistics shows that the governments and the health care advocates are feared to voice their concern over the increasing number of health problems that are associated with fast foods. Childhood obesity and the possibility of such issues will likely double in the next decade” (Johansen, 2012). The rapid changes in dietary trends and the rise of health complications have made people call on fast food companies to regulate their food production. In fact, McDonald has responded to the issue by introducing healthier food options, using poised lifestyle messages on their marketing campaigns and raising funds to assist children with life-threatening complications. This paper will examine diet or nutrition as an aspect of culture and how it affects the interactions between McDonald’s and customers outside the U.S. The dietary changes as a result of the introduction of fast foods into new areas of the world and the subsequent health complications has put pressure on McDonalds to adopt several strategies to ensure that people conform, and buy their products in markets outside the United States. In dealing with the dietary changes and their effects, including obesity, the company’s marketing strategies have been blamed highly for targeting and influencing the children. This particular problem has inhibited the company from gaining much from...
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...English 1101 8 October 2015 Food Health Research: An Annotated Bibliography Hill, Donna, S. "Health Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet." Maryland Nurse 16.1 (2014): 6-7. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 5 Oct. 2015. Donna S. Hill’s article, “Health Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet (2014),” explains that following a plant-based diet prevents health risks such as cholesterol and diabetes versus an animal-based diet. Hill uses studies of Chinese plant-based diets and American animal-based diets by comparing and contrasting the cause and effect of each dietary preference to back up her claim. Hill’s purpose is to specify the cause and effect of each dietary preference in order to impact the awareness of the reader into considering the health risks that could be associated with his or her own personal dietary preference. Given the medical terminology and statistical analysis in the article, Hill is writing to an audience in the medical field. Messina, Virginia. "Nutritional And Health Benefits Of Dried Beans." American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition 100 (2014): 437S-442S. Environment Complete. Web. 7 Oct. 2015. Virginia Messina’s article, “Nutritional And Health Benefits Of Dried Beans (2014),” asserts that the underutilized consumption of dried beans provide health benefits and reduce health related risks while playing an important role in many diets throughout the world. Messina uses quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to support her claim of pointing...
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