A Critique of “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko

People may say that they are obligated to do something that they may not want to do. An example of this can when someone may say that they don’t want to go to work but they have to go. People do not have to go to work if they do not wish to go otherwise people would not have any income to live on. This is similar to the obesity issue. People feel like they are obligated to eat out all the time because of various issues. Some issues are explained in the essay “Don’t Blame the Eater,” by David Zinczenko. The author asserts that children are suing big corporate companies such as McDonald 's because it is making them fat. He states that it is an issue worth sympathizing with. In this essay, he draws from his past experiences as he grew up stating that the only available options are those of a more affordable to his economic demographic. Such as the ones provided by fast food industries. He continues by stating that he was among the lucky people who were able to escape from obesity due to his decision of joining the navy. Even though he was able to avoid obesity as a life issue, he affirmed that it is very hard for people not to eat fast food when those are the only options a person can pick because there aren’t many healthy options. He adds to this by articulating that even the healthy choices is given by theses fast food industries such as a salad still contain an ample amount of calories. In conclusion, Zinczenko argues that choosing to dine-in at a fast food

It has become common today to dismiss the idea of personal responsibility, however, Radley Balko,  author of “What You Eat Is Your Business,” has not. The article, published on Monday 23, 2004,on the website Cato Institute, reminds us of the importance and significance of personal responsibility in dealing with obesity.  Additionally, he argues that  government’s  attempt to  restrict American diets and without consumers being  held accountable for their unhealthy lifestyles is useless .

The article “Don’t Blame the Eater", by David Zinczenko talks about how a group of people are suing McDonald’s for making them fat. Zinczenko shares his experience on how fast food has effect his childhood and teenage years. He explains how teenagers can put on weight with a fast food and part of the problem is the lack in nutritional information about fast food. In addition, he speaks about fast food and the companies behind it.

Obesity has been a growing problem in the U.S. for more than a decade. Various reasons and theories are thrown around as to the cause of this severe problem by psychologists, dietitians, and professors trying to pinpoint a single cause. Due to America’s vast supply of resources, luxurious living standards, and moral of the country, there is no one cause for obesity contrary to advertisements offering a quick-fix drug. America’s obesity problem is rooted much deeper than just cheap fast food and poor choices. Medical conditions, influence of genes, unhealthy lifestyles, and mental illnesses are all contributors towards obesity in any one person. Obesity is a serious problem in America with multiple contributors and one lone solution

They may not completely agree with the author's arguments or support the idea of the government's interference in the matter of obesity. However, Balko does make attempts to address such counterarguments. Balko includes in his essay information on government restricting diets and having socialist insurance, which is not helping the obesity problem, but it is only making it worse because it is not allowing people to take their health in to their own hands so they have no drive to lose weight or eat healthy. He supports this claim by targeting society, including those who may be obese. Balko is trying to show them that the laws our government is making is not helping anyone because obese people are not becoming any healthier and taxpayers are still paying for health care for those who do not even care about their own

In the essay, “What You Eat is Your Business”, Radley Balko writes to tell his audience about how the government is trying to control people’s health and eating habits by restricting food, taxing high calorie food, and considering menu labeling. Balko includes in his essay that government restricting diets and having socialist insurance is not helping the obesity problem, but it is only making it worse because it not allowing people to take their health in to their own hands so they have no drive to lose weight or eat healthy. In his essay, Balko is targeting society, including those who may be obese, he is trying to show them that the laws our

In America today one in three adults are considered to be obese. Over the years the rate of obesity keeps climbing up and up. Some people blame fast-food or the environment Americans live in. After all,someone can purchase a chocolate bar at a bookstore nowadays. But, most people are looking at the incorrect factor to blame. Although the food industry is a huge contribution to obesity in America, people are ultimately responsible for their own health.

Balko declares that government policies are “bringing government between you and your waistline” (396). While there is no doubt that there is a problem with obesity, Balko hypothesizes correctly that government programs, which are meant to halt obesity, are instead incentivizing it. In the words of Balko “If the government is paying for my anti-cholesterol medication, what incentive is there for me to put down the cheeseburger?” (397). Further, with new legislation that requires insurers to give healthcare to people regardless of pre-existing, or even self-imposed medical conditions, we have completely

In the article of Radley Balko, he considers obesity a problem in the nation. Balko believes that it is unhealthy for children to be eating bad food but it’s their choices to eat that food. Balko is saying that if people are eating unhealthy and are having health problems everyone shouldn't have to pay for their health problems. Balko says, “In other words, bringing the government between you and your waistline.” Basically he is saying that the government shouldn’t be in your business of what you are eating or whether you are obese or not. Balko does not like the fact that the government has so much control over what we are eating and are fighting obesity the wrong way. Balko thinks the

When it comes to the topic of obesity, most will readily agree that it is a growing dilemma. This argument has many writers bringing different responses. Two explanations are debated in What You Eat is Your Business by Radley Balko and Don’t Blame the Eater by David Zinczenko. Both pieces create a good stance on the topic of obesity. Balko’s piece, however, has a better all around flow, organization and consistency.

Obesity is becoming one of the biggest problems in the country, but there has to be reasons for it. It can be the economy, society now, or people and companies. It’s time that our country starts to realize that we can’t live like this anymore. We need to see what is causing the sudden rise in obesity, and what we can do to fix it. Education of risks and solutions can be very helpful. Obesity is killing so many people, yet is still 100 percent avoidable. Our country is beginning to care less and really let themselves go. The fast food industry, supermarkets, and schools are the ones at fault for the spreading problem of obesity.

He believes that the government should make consumers responsible for their choices instead of trying to change what foods are accessible to consumers. In addition, he suggests that “The best way to alleviate the obesity ‘public health’ crisis is to remove obesity from the realm of public health” (468). In other words, Balko thinks that obesity wouldn’t be such a great public issue if we made it the personal issue that it is. Throughout his article, he relies on his opinion without providing any numbers for the readers. On the contrary, Zinczenko uses a lot of statistics and data to support his argument.

After reading Balko’s essay, “What You Eat is Your Business” Balko argues that should not be government business to determine what people can eat. He argument that “all agitating for a panoply of government anti-obesity initiatives, including prohibiting junk food in school vending machines, federal funding for new bike trails and sidewalks, more demanding labels on foodstuffs, restrictive food marketing to children, and prodding for industry into more “responsible” behavior” which the author argue that is “bringing government between you and your waistline. He claims that “This is the wrong way to fight obesity. Instead of manipulating or intervening in the array of food options available to American consumers, our government ought to be working to foster a sense of responsibility in and ownership of our own health and well-being. Basically, he is saying that we need less public intervention and more personal’s responsibility.

It’s mind blowing how more and more studies are coming out showing that the majority of teenagers in this generation are being diagnosed with obesity. It is a very controversial subject to discuss, but is it something that needs to be laid out on the line. Nowadays, it’s easier to grab obesogenic foods because of the fast food restaurants that are ubiquitous than to eat a nutritious meal. If a stop is not being made rapidly than it will continue to get worse. The trend of obesity has been steadily increasing in both children and adults despite a few public health efforts to improve nutrition and physical activity. The obesity epidemic have gone way too far with nothing being done in this time, bringing more problems to the table as time is wasted. It not only affects the older generation but the younger generation now teens are experiencing great health concerns. A diet needs to be enforced in order for health problems to diminished. Therefore, with all that has been said it is clear that people need to take personal responsibility in order for the obesity epidemic in America to be solved.

Balko begins by introducing some of the policy the government put in place to response to the obesity epidemic in our country. He states that “For decades now, America's health care system has been moving towards socialism.” He cites President Bush’s decision to assign $200 million to anti-obesity measure and congress attempt to implement menu-labeling in to a law is a wrong approach to take on obesity. Balko state that the government policies are “bringing the government between you and your waistline” (396). In his opinion, “This is the wrong way to fight obesity” (Balko). He argues that our government should be focused on fostering personal responsibility and accountability among the public concerning individual health. He feels that consumers should take some responsibility of what they eat. Giving this example, “We’re becoming less responsible for our own health, and more responsible for everyone else’s” (Balko). He argues that obesity should be taken out of