...GRADUATE CAMPUS ------------------------------------------------- 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...
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...Ever since I was little the argument has always been the same, I’ll be the first to admit that childhood obesity is a serious epidemic in this country, but it just seems to me that instead of studying the topic and finding solutions people are more and more curious about finding someone else to blame. Each and every person is responsible for the things that they eat and the things that they do this is an undeniable truth, but no matter what it seems as though people are more interested in shifting the blame to something else for example childhood obesity instead of blaming the person who spent years and years eating three meals a day from McDonald’s not concerned with the calories or the health issues just shoveling food in their mouth, no...
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...Food product choice can be overwhelming and is not made any easier with the influence of media advertisements by companies that want to sell their food products to us. There are many factors that we as consumers must take in to consideration. Do we accept that the advertisement is true, should we trust what is shown to us or should we research the product and compare the cost and nutritional value to other products on the market? Evidently, it’s up to consumer to make a decision on what they eat, nevertheless if we’re frequently exposed to food advertisements every time we read a glossy magazine or watch TV then we may be influenced in what we choose, especially when the advertisement is directed toward children . In this essay I will outline some influence towards one’s food choices and the links between media and children obesity and the effects television food commercials have on children’s food preferences. Food choices are influenced by vast quantity of interrelating factors and theory “it is not solely determined on physiological or nutritional” (Shepherd, 1999, p. 807). Other factor that may influence food choices are biological for example hunger, appetite and taste and then there economic and physical this may be prejudiced by the cost of the food and a individuals income the availably of food choice or education or the skill needed to cook the food. Psychological reason may have a effect on the food we eat for example what type of mood we in. when a we are stress...
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...Eassy 2 1200-1500 words At least 7 referencing Is the Influence of Media on Our Food Choices a Good Thing? Food product choice can be overwhelming and is not made any easier with the influence of media advertisements by companies that want to sell their food products to us. There are many factors that we as consumers must take in to consideration. Do we accept that the advertisement is true, should we trust what is shown to us or should we research the product and compare the cost and nutritional value to other products on the market? Evidently, it’s up to consumer to make a decision on what they eat, nevertheless if we’re frequently exposed to food advertisements every time we read a glossy magazine or watch TV then we may be influenced in what we choose, especially when the advertisement is directed toward children . In this essay I will outline some influence towards one’s food choices and the links between media and children obesity and the effects television food commercials have on children’s food preferences. Food choices are influenced by vast quantity of interrelating factors and theory “it is not solely determined on physiological or nutritional” (Shepherd, 1999, p. 807). Other factor that may influence food choices are biological for example hunger, appetite and taste and then there economic and physical this may be prejudiced by the cost of the food and a individuals income the availably of food choice or education or the...
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...OBESITY AND LAWSUITS Today, one of the rising problems in the United States is 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...
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...Peretti, Jacques. "Why Our Food Is Making Us Fat." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 11 June 2012. Web. 10 June 2016. This web article started with the author's point of view as he rode on a bariatric ambulance (an ambulance designed especially to care for the obese). The information gathered from this web source include facts from a twelve year study done at Plymouth hospital, Earl Butz, Surplus of corn, Hank Cardello, and many other important figureheads of the obesity epidemic. This web article will primarily be used as how the epidemic started and who is to blame. I trust this source by the links given within the article. Each important name, study, and association has a hyperlink that leads the reader to where the author has received his information. This article pertains to how the food industry has changed since the mid-70s, including history of the Nixon Presidency and what figureheads are doing now to reverse damages being made. The author gives strong reasons to blame the food industry. Kenner, Robert. "Food, Inc." PBS. PBS, 21 Apr. 2010. Web. 10 June 2016....
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...Does Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity? Business Research Methods 642 Donna Wall September 10, 2012 Abstract Within the scope of this research paper I will present the contributions that fast food restaurants have on obesity. The paper will identify some of the causal effect that were discovered through surveys and research of recent studies that were related to obesity. A definition of obesity will be present as well. Does Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity? Obesity has become an epidemic in America. Fast food restaurants are everywhere you look. We hear fast food restaurants advertisements on the radio, on billboards along the highways, in magazines and commercials on our televisions. Every child that is of age to talk can easily identify the arch and relate that to McDonald’s. Americans all over America have become consumed by these advertisements and have become over weight due to their food selection at such restaurants. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in America. For that reason alone obesity has become a topic that has been recently researched and discussed more and more over the last few decades. Researchers have thrived to develop a cause to such an increase in Americans that struggle with the problem of obesity. Are there variations between Americans who most often have home cooked meals than those who eat at fast food restaurants more that are often affected with obesity? Are there other contributions to food selection...
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...Gary Reynoso 201-397-7517 Professor R. Marks 4/10/2012 Term Paper The Fast Food Epidemic On Health In today's society, fast food has become a large part of many American's lives. With the rising numbers of obese people, it is hard not to draw a correlation between the increase in fast food and obesity. Most obese people don’t want to be obese and wish they could lose weight, yet they continue to struggle with their fast food intake and obesity. This is due to the advertising done on the consumers, the highly addictive food itself, and most importantly, how advertising and addiction combine with children to form habits that are kept once they become adults. These factors are the reasons that fast food restaurants are to blame for the rising obesity and health risks across America. The government needs to step in and place regulations on these fast food restaurants so they will stop taking advantage of people's weaknesses. Before it can be gone into detail about how fast food companies are to blame for people over eating their food, it first must be proven that fast food is indeed the main problem causing today's obesity in America. It is known to many people how the number of fast food restaurants in America has increased tremendously over the past several decades, but it is difficult to calculate...
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...sensational film “Super Size Me”, in which a young, healthy vegan man by the name of Morgan Spurlock experiments with his own body in order to see the disastrous effects of fast food on the human form. After a month of eating nothing but McDonald's, Morgan suffered from a 13% gain in body mass, cholesterol levels of 230, rapid mood changes and embarrassing sexual inadequacy. He was unable to complete the program after being told by a medical professional that “he was going to die” if he continued on the current diet. Thankfully, Morgan was able to quit and return his body slowly back to the healthy shape it once was in, but this happy ending isn't always the case for millions of Americans. Left untreated, obesity will surpass smoking as the main cause of preventable death. Between the ruthless marketing, placement of restaurants in low income neighborhoods and near schools, massive portion sizes riddled with fat and carbohydrates and more than 46 million people eating out at only McDonald's daily, fast food has easily gone from a “once in a while treat” to one of the most menacing killers in the country. Portion size and ingredients play a grand factor in the fattening affects of fast food. According to research gathered by Washington State University, Fast foods contain substantially fewer vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and zinc. (“Does Fast Food...,” 2011) Doctors Lisa R. Young and Marion...
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...Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to show the need for better public 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...
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...ncuscr.org Introduction The author had the privilege of traveling to China on a Fulbright‐Hays study tour during the summer of 2009. While sociologists have been studying the effects of McDonaldization in U.S. society since 1993, few have studied how Chinese society has been influenced by this phenomenon. James Watson and his team studied the phenomenon in 1997 and their book, “Golden Arches East: McDonald’s in East Asia” is an excellent resource for anyone studying this topic, especially the first two chapters. During a lecture at Chongqing University, Professor Zhang Jin mentioned that the idea of Scientific Management was being explored in China during the early 20th century by such business leaders as Lu Zuofu with his experiment at Beibei. This “model society” was implementing the same values in the early 20th century that McDonald’s later touted in the U.S. fifty years later. The author suspected that they had a common ancestor in Taylorism, a business model developed in the U.S. around 1900. Further research found that indeed, they shared that common ideology. Could this be the reason that the Chinese have adapted so well to an open market system? The ideas were not new, having, in fact been explored by Chinese business leaders prior to the Cultural Revolution. This curriculum project explores the history of Scientific Management in China and the U.S. It also looks at the concept of McDonaldizaiton and how McDonalds has had to adapt to succeed in China...
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...of which two-third of the population lies below 35 years of age. India is considered as one of the youngest nation in the world. According to various national and international organisations the age group of youth generally lies between 15-35 years. This vulnerable group is being highly influenced by the advertising industry whose focus has shifted from family and elderly to youth and kids. With the increased employment of youngsters due to the entry of BPO’s, KPO’s, MNC’s in the Indian sub-continent, marketers have got a new set of potential buyers in the form of young and restless . This segment comprises of those who are more open to adapt new products, ideas and follow trends set up by advertising world. Advertising today carries the blame of manipulating and duping audience. The moment you open your idiot box for multifaceted reasons you can see a clutter of advertisements, a commercial of 7 up ends up with a girl kissing a boy, ads of all juices making claims that all of them are preservative free, dangerous stunts being performed in ads of Thumps up and Mountain dew, open and free broadcast of inner wears at prime time encouraging the opposite sex to assault. All advertisement of several branded deo’s end in seductive mode. Ads of casual wears of jeans like Levis, Pantaloon, Lee Cooper etc create extreme level of brand consciousness especially among youth. Blackberry advertisements showing and creating a need for costly cell phones to prove that you are in trendy gears....
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...Do parents need to take control of childhood obesity? Looking at Childhood Obesity Statistics and Various Causes RJ Mcckleene Western Governors University WGU Student ID# 109456 Do parents need to take control of childhood obesity? Childhood obesity has been increasing over the last 2-3 decades at an alarming rate. The U.S. Surgeon General says that in the last two decades the percentages of overweight children has tripled (“Surgeon General’s call”, 2012). Being obese can affect more than just health. For a child, being obese can cause physical, social, and psychological damage, and can ultimately affect the child’s overall quality of life which can follow the child into adulthood (Maziak, Ward, & Stockton, 2007). The food industry has not made significant improvements to production or food marketing toward children. Therefore parents must take control of childhood obesity to help with a better future for America’s youth. Research suggests that childhood obesity rates will continue to rise because children are targeted by marketing strategies, the food industry is not showing signs that substantial changes to marketing and production targeting youth that are needed will happen any time in the near future and also because the evolution of society has aided in creating a sedentary lifestyle. Health and government officials have seen alarming statics in the increase of childhood obesity rates. The increase and health concerns have had severe enough increases...
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...Encourage Unhealthy Food and Drinks Worries about childhood obesity have topped general wellbeing needs. There are certain projects, for example, First Lady Michelle Obama's "We should Move" crusade intending to support more restorative practices. According to “Studies: Celebrity Endorsements Encourage Unhealthy Food, Drinks - The Youth Project,” late research proposes that one of the greatest impediments to advance may be battles of a more omnipresent nature - advertisements emphasizing unfortunate sustenance and beverages supports by big names (Haelle 2014). Celebrities should not endorse junk foods because with everything they do for show and for themselves, endorsing the junk foods is not making anything better for them. It is encouraging people to also endorse junk foods because they want to be like the celebrities. By endorsing the junk foods, it is just destroying celebrities and everybody that follows them. According to a Yale study, professional athletes’ endorsements of food and beverages made up about a quarter of all their endorsements in 2010, second only to sporting goods and apparel. Yet, more or less four out of each five food/drink items embraced by athletes were very low in nutritional value (Haelle 2014). Further, included sugar represented all the calories in a little more than 93 percent of the beverages embraced by the competitors. The Yale study broke down the supports in TV, radio, daily paper, and magazines of the main 100 expert competitors taking...
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...Case 2 The Fast Food Industry A Porter 5-forces model of the fast food industry-----Wu Rongrong The threat of new entrants in the fast food industry is high. Because there are no legal barriers which would keep them from entering the industry. The major barriers in which a firm faces in the industry are the economies of scale and the access of the distribution. In order for a firm to enjoy success in the industry, they must spend a large amount of capital on advertising and marketing. The industry is very competitive because firms are always attempting to steal customers from each other. Access for distribution is crucial in the restaurant industry because if the customer can’t see you or access you easily it’s possible that they won’t go out of there way to eat there. Franchise options also make is easier to enter the market, for example Subway has built their strategic plan around franchise options. Therefore, initially the only cost to enter the market is the starting capital required to open a restaurant. (1) On the one hand, the entry barriers are low. Most fast food restaurants are small size without any advantage. There is no brand advantage for the lack of famous brand, and the capital requirement is low. The resource is more, and the existing fast food restaurant cannot form barriers for the resources. Besides, the cost is low, and the existing fast food restaurant doesn’t have rich production experience and management technology. On the other hand, the original...
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