...Supersize Your Child?-Summary In the essay Supersize Your Child by Richard Hayes, the author is explaining the pros and cons of genetic engineering. Hayes starts off the essay by giving examples of what could happen if you genetically engineer your child; you could make them attractive, give them photographic memories, or even ensure they have a life span of up to 200 years. The author makes this all sound very attractive to the reader. He also assumes that the reader wants this for their children; the parents want the children to be the best of the best. Throughout the beginning of the essay Hayes gives examples of the progress we have made as a whole in the genetic engineering field. He explains that Science magazine reported that the 5-HTT gene reduces the risk of depression. It can also help depression after stressful events. He then goes into detail about how in 1993 the University of California at San Francisco biochemist Cynthia Kenyon had discovered a gene called DAF-2 that made nematode worms live four weeks instead of their normal two week life span. Hayes then goes into testimony that states if we do genetic engineering that we will mess up the natural selection process. Professor Lee Silver from Yale University also goes into detail and talks about how if we do this genetic engineering the genetic engineered people will be at the top of the classes, running things like politics and large corporations; while the ‘regular’ people would be lower class and working...
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...Supersize We: How portion sizes are correlated with our gluttony "Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something is eating us." - Peter De Vries As I wander through the labyrinth of my local grocery store, I cannot help but notice how things have changed. Metal carts overflowing with food and the once prevalent "market" section is now gleaming with the reflection of glass doors and the glow of brightly colored boxes, frozen meals ready for consumption. It was not always this way. I can still remember when I would travel to the store with my mother, help pick ripe fruit and vegetables for the family. This memory now clouded with the current sight of a child sitting in a cart grazing on fried potato crisps as his mother decides whether to buy the regular or the value sized bag. When did this change occur? When did we all of a sudden choose the premade package of "gourmet" frozen dinners rather than making a simple pasta dish for the family? With this abrupt change in our diets also came the inevitable change in portions provided by the grotesquely large food companies. And now with my home town of Chicago being ranked in the top ten most obese cities in America, it is time we discover where we went wrong. It is not new to us as Americans to see how our beloved country has gone from glorious to gluttonous. The amount of food that we consume has dramatically increased in the past thirty years and it is continuously on the rise. In reports by the U.S. Census Bureau, the...
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...depression are only a couple of the many effects of eating McDonalds for a month. This is exactly what Morgan Spurlock went through in his documentary, “SuperSize Me”, when he challenged himself to eat nothing but McDonalds for breakfast lunch and dinner while also supersizing his meal whenever asked. The harm done to his body in just one month was shocking. How fatigued he always felt, the vomiting and especially the drastic weight gain were obvious. This just goes to show that fast food is something that Americans do not know enough about when consuming it. Fast food restaurants have become nothing but a negative influence on our lives socially and physically. It has become too available and convenient to a point where Americans would rather eat out and eat for cheap at a fast food chain near them. It is impossible to go somewhere without seeing a fast food place often, that is why people eat it so much. There are currently over 200,000 fast food restaurants in America alone, have we let this go too far? I believe that fast food is the reason for America’s obesity issue because of its availability, cheap prices, and quick service which make people choose the easy way out rather than cook a healthy meal. Some people may argue that, fast food places offer healthier choices like salads and water and people make their own choice to supersize their meal. They say that fast food is not the one to blame, when people go out of their way to go through a drive thru line. However, salads are...
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...Chances are it has, with about 35% of the American population being affected by obesity (Information, Health 1). You have a high chance that a person with this condition has influenced your life. In the article edited by Melissa Abramovitz, “What Is Obesity?” it declares that “Recently, however, an increasing number of experts are viewing obesity as a disease that affects millions of people, including children and teens” (1). Everyone probably know someone who is obese and their body image has changed the way one behaves around them. Because of all the different types of side effects that come from obesity one should feel obligated to do more to feel better and make yourself a healthier person than ever. In a personal case, I know someone close to me who used to be athletic and were always happy. Now, they have put on some weight and have become less active, making them in a grumpier mood constantly. Thus, making them less enjoyable...
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...What causes obesity in America? Jason absolutely loved to eat food, and frequently, his meals consisted of twice the recommended serving size. He was overweight as a child, with his weight rapidly increasing as he aged. By the age of twenty-two, he had reached the point of obesity, which hindered most of his physical abilities and ruined his social life. He woke up for work every day, struggling to stand up from his bed. Exhausted and breathless, he garnered the strength to stand up and make his way to the bathroom. Getting dressed had become a time consuming mission, rather than a quick task. He often found it difficult to bend down to put on his socks and shoes, almost losing his balance at his every attempt. Jason realized he was miserable and alone, with food as his only friend. Eventually, heart disease would be a definite result of his decisions. The lifestyle he chose was a poor one, which would ultimately send him to an early grave. Over the past three decades, obesity in America has almost doubled, making it one of the leading causes of health problems preceding death. Obesity can be defined as a health problem where excessive amounts of fat accumulate on the body. When these fatty deposits build up in arteries, it puts strain on the heart. Chest pains are more prevalent and heart attacks then become a high possibility. Commonly, the self esteem lowers because of their belief that they do not meet society’s idea of beauty. These are just a few of the many possible effects...
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...INTRODUCTION The reason how McDonalds Restaurant became a well-established brand around the world began with the series of strategies they used throughout the years in building its success. From the beginning there was only a local food stand more like the food trucks on the streets now to becoming the multi-billion corporation with over a billion employees. The way McDonalds is able to penetrate through different markets around the world is very amazing because they may be the only fast food brand that could be found around the world with the possibility of finding one just at a corner near you. The brand is well known around the world yet they may only know the name and that it is a fast food restaurant. Yet different countries or cities may have discrepancies in menu engineering where the company accommodates to the food preferences of the people or the culture of the regions. As many may know, operating a hospitality establishment requires much effort to maintain and operate while the failure rate of restaurants are statistically calculated to be quite high. As discussed by the “RestaurantOwners” website, “Within a 90 percent confidence interval, CRG found that the first year failure rate for startups averaged 23 percent over four years in that market. Based on the study, you could say that there is a one in four chance a new startup will fail.” Nonetheless all company may have there ups and downs while the McDonalds Restaurants brand reign in the fast food market for...
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...Unethical Companies: McDonald’s May 14, 2010 — ethicalfootprint Mostly everyone will enjoy McDonald’s every once in a while, even if you aren’t a fan of fast food. While the food may be cheap, it may come at more of a cost to the environment and the global economy than one might think. McDonald’s has a negative impact on the environment in more ways than one. Aside from the pollution from factories where the food is produced, the unusable waste from nearly all the food they sell, and the massive amounts of power and energy that are required to keep all of the branches up and running, this corporation is destroying natural rain forests. According to http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Business/Allegedly_Unethical_Firms/McDonald’s/, McDonald’s likes to purchase their meat from privatised farms, which is not a problem in and of itself. The conflict arises when these privatised farmlands are built on the land where a lush rainforest once resided. So not only is McDonald’s polluting our air, but they are destroying a large part of what would help to clean it out. The trees that are levelled do more than just clean the air, though. They are also homes to thousands of animals that are likely killed or made homeless as the trees are torn down. This is not exactly a healthy step in making our world a better place. The people at McDonald’s treat their employees no better than they treat our environment. McDonald’s staff are frequently underpaid for the amount of time that they...
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...AN ENORMOUS TRUTH: OBESITY IN THE UNITED STATES The research will provide useful information that will determine if the fast food industry is responsible for obesity, which is a rapidly growing public health issue in United States. Prepared for Professor Eugene Fregetto, Marketing 452 Research completed by Team 7: Sara Garcia – (708) 770.8682 Garcia.sara59@gmail.com Jessica Gardeck – (847) 363.3389 jgarde4@uic.edu Lisa Elizabeta Komolova – (630) 857.8129 lisakomolova@gmail.com Krunali Sheth – (630) 903.8320 ksheth2@uic.edu February, 2012 The need for the project A large amount of the United State’s population is suffering from obesity. Throughout the years the well-being of the American population has shown a negative movement and a large number of people are experiencing a decline in their health. Obesity being a common health issue in United States is concerning to health care providers because it is progressing into a costly expense for those companies. The amount of fast food restaurants in United States is constantly increasing and to improve the reputation of junk food the restaurants have been trying to introduce reinvented products with a healthier approach. Unfortunately the new products lines and its menu alternatives are still not living up to the standard of a proper diet. The research will provide us with useful information about obesity, people’s attitudes towards fast food and their life-style choices. The information will determine if...
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...Advertising and Childhood Obesity 1 The Link Between Advertising and Manufacturing Tactics and Childhood Obesity Author School Name Advertising and Childhood Obesity 2 Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States, thanks in part to fast food advertising and manufacturing tactics, and this has resulted in more children diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol and long term psychological problems. Humans have continually adapted to the ever-changing variables in our environment. One of the most vital of these variables is food. Long ago, the frequency and quantity of our food intake were directly dependent on what we could hunt or forage. Today, in most first world countries, food is no longer a precious commodity to be saved and stored. Fast and convenient foods are never more than a few minutes away. These low-hanging fruits are in fact, far from being simple fruits. They are cheap, tasty, addictive, processed and nutritionally devoid - and they are being marketed directly to children. It's these advertising and manufacturing techniques that are largely contributing to the epidemic of childhood obesity here in the United States. A disturbingly high number of children are being diagnosed with a host of food-related problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and long term psychological issues. Thanks in part to the highly effective advertising and manufacturing tactics used by fast food giants, American fast food culture has spread...
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...Vanessa Heber November 17, 2010 SOCI 202 (LW): Canadian Families: Past, Present, and Future Danita Kagan Research/Analytical Review Paper McDonaldization Research Paper In a world where society is so influenced by technological advancements and materialistic possessions and where most people are often inclined to decide the way the live their lives, purchase items and what values and beliefs they follow based on brands, brand characteristics and brand values. We see many North Americans follow a way of life based on brands they connect with such as those who are Nike lovers; most often turn into what the brand stands for. They have a love for athletics, they always must show high performance in more than just sports and always exert a sense of authenticity in their lifestyle, but most importantly they live their lives in a “just do it” mentality. Yet even further social institutions that affiliate around the Nike lifestyle tend to have this same sense of rationalization. However, Nike is a brand that has had a small influence on those who are the brands consumer, when compared to some larger more influential brands. Yet there is one brand, with high global reach that triumphs all brands. This brand is the largest fast-food chain worldwide and the most influential brand in North Americans particularly; this brand is of course McDonalds. In The McDonaldization Thesis: Is Expansion Inevitable written by George Ritzer, Ritzer reveals that on a global scale the brand personality...
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...Slowly Killing Our Children Calli Soesbe Composition 2 Slowly Killing Our Children Children and teens see all different kinds of fast food marketing strategies everywhere. From television ads, internet ads, cell phones, magazines and so many other ways it’s astonishing. Fast food restaurants make sure that they use toys that are popular at the time to market to children so that they will want to get the happy meal with the toy like a doll or an action figure. If a new movie is coming out then the fast food restaurants make sure they get the toys for that movie. They have both girls and boys toys. Fast food restaurants also like to use flashy ads to draw kids to want their food. Over 10 billion dollars are spent on advertising to children. Fast food places need to cut back on the advertising would be very beneficial. They know that children are a big influence on what their parent buy for food. On average children view over 40,000 commercials a year, which are mostly for candy, cereal, toys, and fast foods. A lot of the time parent will not object to the idea of getting something fast and easy so that they do not have to cook themselves. Interview with Shannon Brownlee According to Shannon Brownlee, who is a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, at Washington, D.C. that it is hard to really say that fast food places are encouraging unhealthy eating habits, because you have to know how people respond to the advertising. She says that it is...
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...Microcultures in Canada A Comparative Approach Introduction Every society contains both a mainstream culture and many different subcultures. The mainstream culture is how one is identified as. However, microcultures consist of how we identify ourselves within the global mainstream culture. There are multitudes of ways to participate in a microculture. It could be along ethnic, religious lines, or even lifestyle. All these factors come into play with regards to the different aspects of microcultures. This paper will delve into all three types of microcultures; it will look at Vietnamese, Jewish, and Vegan cultures and compare them to mainstream Canadian culture. The subsequent comparative analysis aims at finding differences in an attempt to better understand and communicate more effectively, by clarifying the common misunderstandings that arise when communicating with different microcultures, whether in business or everyday life. Vietnamese Background/History/Evolution Representing one of the largest non-European sub-cultures in Canada, the Vietnamese community ranks 5th in terms of size and comprises just over 150,000 individuals. Concentrated in metropolitan areas, close to 60% of the population resides in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or Calgary (Statistics Canada see Appendix B). Despite currently being a sizable group, this sub-culture was virtually non-existent prior to the Vietnamese war that took place between 1964 and 1975. It wasn't until the conflict arose...
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...61 Easy Ways To Lose Weight A few years ago, one of my friends at Men's Health stepped on the scale and was horrified by the result. He'd somehow managed to pack 20 pounds of flab onto his previously skinny frame. When he looked into the mirror, he saw a fat guy staring back. He decided to make a change, quick. That day, he gave up his beloved soda. He was only drinking two or three bottles a day, but over the course of six months, he dropped those 20 pounds. It was a small change to his lifestyle -- no big deal, really. And yet, it had a massive impact on his health and his body. (No surprise: Drinking calories is one of the 20 Habits That Make You Fat.) My point: Making small decisions each day can result in big-time fat loss. Below are dozens of simple ways to lose weight. Start with one -- today! -- and watch the weight begin to melt away. Trust me, this is going to be easier than you think. 1. Have a clear goal. It should be one that anyone in the world can measure and understand. 2. Drink tea. Research suggests that those who drink tea -- black, green, or white, as long as it’s from real tea versus herbal tea -- have lower BMIs and less body fat than those who don’t consume tea. 3. Eat cayenne pepper. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that when compared to placebo, capsaicin -- the active ingredient in cayenne -- increased fat burning. 4. Decrease/eliminate processed carbs. They do nothing for you outside of creating a favorable...
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...Results Overview of fast food market Fast food market Fast food restaurant Definitions Fast food restaurants feature a common menu above the counter; they provide no wait staff; and customers typically pay before eating and choose and clear their own tables. These restaurants are also known as quick serve restaurants (QSRs). Main type of food sold at the restaurant, including burgers, sandwiches, snacks, Mexican food, and pizza. sales. The next four, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks, and Wendy’s, had $8 to $10 billion each in sales and 6% to 7% of the market. The three YUM! Brands restaurants in the top 20 (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC) ranked sixth, seventh, and ninth individually. Together their sales totaled $16.7 billion, or 12% of the market, and placed YUM! Brands in second place behind McDonald’s. The restaurants in our analysis represent several different segments of the fast food market including burgers (McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Sonic, and Dairy Queen), sandwiches (Subway), snacks (Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts), Mexican food (Taco Bell), pizza (Pizza Hut and Domino’s), and chicken (KFC).4 The number of U.S. locations of these twelve restaurants totaled almost 100,000 and ranged from approximately 3,500 Sonic restaurants to almost 24,000 Subway restaurants. These twelve restaurants comprised 41% of locations for the top 50 restaurants. Fast food segment Table 2 presents 2008 and 2009 sales data for the twenty largest fast food restaurants in the United States...
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...Quick Scan Burger King Roos van Os & Tim Steinweg April 2008 SOMO Quick Scan Burger King SOMO Quick Scan Burger King Roos van Os & Tim Steinweg April 2008 2 SOMO Quick Scan Burger King Contents 1 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 7 7.1 7.2 7.3 8 9 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4 Company Profile: Burger King Holdings....................................................................... 6 Corporate Profile................................................................................................................ 6 Burger King Holdings’ corporate history............................................................................. 7 Burger King Holdings ownership and corporation structure............................................... 8 Market presence................................................................................................................. 10 Purchasing activities........................................................................................................... 11 Burger King Suppliers in the Netherlands .......................................................................... 11 CSR Sector Analysis ....................................................................................................... 13 Consumer...
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