Persuasive Essay On Fast Food

Did you know that “every day 1 in 4 Americans visit a fast food restaurant? If that’s not alarming to you, then consider this, left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America.” (Clark, Charles) Fast food has become a part of American culture. With the way the world is today who wouldn’t want to eat somewhere that can have you in and out in five minutes for fewer than five dollars? It has been made very clear that Americans love to eat as we rank number one most years as the world’s most obese nation, but it’s not just America. In his documentary, Morgan Spurlock notes that, “Popular fast food chains like McDonalds, now operate in more than 126 countries in six continents having more than 31,000 restaurants globally.” (Spurlock 2004) The most alarming part about all of these statistics is the groups they most affect. The catchy advertisements and addictive qualities of the food is what has everyone coming back for more. Fast food companies advertisements targeting the young and lower classes are the cause for the obesity epidemic in America.

In David Zinczenko’s article “Don’t Blame the Eater” he focuses on the fast food industry and their role in the increasing health and obesity issues of our nation’s children, as well as these issues potentially becoming a serious problem that we will all have to deal with if we collectively don’t do something about it now. When it comes to the topic of fast food, most of us can agree that it is not the best source of nutrition. It is unhealthy and can be the cause of many serious health issues with our children such as obesity related Type 2 diabetes, stomach ulcers and even heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea or even cancer. We can even agree that fast-food diets are a major contributing factor to

In today’s society a huge issue is that we constantly hear about the food industry in America. We often hear in the news that obesity rates have increased, or that Americans have many diseases that contribute to being obese. “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko expresses that people are at fault for making such unhealthy food choices. Others argue that the food industry is to blame for being so unhealthy. According to David Zinczenko in “Don’t Blame the Eater” he blames the fast food industry as well as the consumer. Zinczenko asks “shouldn’t we know better than to eat two meals a day in fast food restaurant’s?” (392). So, who is to blame for American’s eating so much unhealthy food? Should it be the consumers’ burden or the fast food companies? On one hand, as consumers we continue to purchase foods that we know are making us overweight. On the other hand, fast food companies continue to offer high in calories foods.

How would you feel if I told you that there is no one state with an obesity rate lower than 20%? Take this information and compare it to twenty years ago when every state had an obesity rate lower than 15%. Obesity has become not only the number one cause in death, but according to David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of Men’s Health and author of “Don’t Blame the Eater”, it is the number one cost in health care with numbers rising well over 100 billion dollars a year (196). There are many people we could blame, such as the food industry or the government, but before we start pointing fingers elsewhere, individuals need to stand up and take personal responsibility for their own actions and health. Either way it is evident a

After reading chapters 15 and 21 in our Current Issues and Enduring Questions book and viewing Forks Over Knives, I am afraid I do not see this worrisome food issue in America improving in the near future. Obesity is a known epidemic and it is widespread throughout the entire country. According to the documentary film, Forks Over Knives, “We spend $2.2 trillion a year on healthcare: over five times more than the defense budget.” This quote reveals the issue regarding the state of health and by maintaining a healthier diet not only do people benefit, but the government does as well. The current relationship between food and health industries brings an uncertainty that should be seen as a critical concern to the eyes of the public. Too many people

In the article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” by David Zinczenko he argues that it is not always the consumer's fault that they consume food that is bad for them. Zinczenko tells a story of how when he was growing up he practically lived off of fast food. His parents were divorced. His father was always trying to get his life together and his mother worked very long hours. Due to this he didn't have many other options besides McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell or Pizza Hut. Zinczenko shows how fast food restaurants are more available than healthier options. He writes “Drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you'll see one of our country's more than 13,000 McDonald's restaurants. Now, drive back up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit.” Today Type 2 diabetes makes up at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes in the United States. This is a shocking increase

In 2010, 43 million children were projected to be overweight because of these products. However, the nation exceeded this statistic by having 92 million children being at risk of obesity (Borghi, De Onis, and Blossner 1). Because of the country’s inability to take control of this problem, lawsuits have begun to be filed against major fast-food companies, such as McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Hardees. These companies are being sued because citizens claim they are unaware of the detriments that grease and tons of sugar can do to one’s body. For instance, in the court case Pelman v. McDonald’s Corporation, these people were suing McDonalds because they strongly believed that their fast food was the reason why they were having health issues (Kornblet 209). Though this argument seemed to be valid, countless factors affect weight and health of

The American society is being distracted by T.V advertisements, video testimonies, and fast food companies who’re encouraging individuals to consume fast food. This is an example of propaganda and a technological control. Obesity itself may cost a significant amount of money in the U.S. in addition to death. According to the article “Food for Thought: Malnutrition and Obesity” by D. J. Shaw, he states that the CDC has estimated that about 280,000 Americans dies each year from being overweight and also that obesity is costing the United States a whooping $240 Billion dollars in health care (351). Americans aren’t receiving the necessary motivation to exercise and practice a healthier lifestyle. Major fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Five Guys are falsely encouraging individuals to eat their food. They’re taking advantage of them by taking all their money. Instead of spending the money on whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, they’re spending all hard earned money on junk food. In addition, consumers don’t realize that these major food corporations aren’t telling how many calories are in their products. As customers, we have the right to know how’s are food being processed and how many calories (sugar, fats, cholesterol, sodium) are in the food.

Fast food franchises are not to blame for America’s obesity dilemma, the consumers are. Over one third of all adults are obese and 17% of teenagers are either overweight or obese. Numbers have significantly risen since 1990. On a state level, in 1990, obesity was 15% or lower. In 2000, it rose as high as 25% in some states says CNN, a highly respected news source which was founded in 1980. Obesity can increase the risk of all types of medical issues including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and many more. America is becoming much too big and it cannot just continue to be overlooked. No one wants to lose a loved one due to Obesity related health problems. Consumers

Obesity has become an epidemic in today’s society. Today around 50% of America is now considered to be over weight. Fast-food consumption has been a major contributor to the debate of the twenty-first century. Chapter thirteen, titled “Is Fast-Food the New Tobacco,” in the They Say I Say book, consists of authors discussing the debate of fast-food’s link to obesity. Authors debate the government’s effects on the fast-food industry, along with whether or not the fast-food industry is to blame for the rise in obesity throughout America. While some people blame the fast food industry for the rise in obesity, others believe it is a matter of personal responsibility to watch what someone eats and make sure they get the proper exercise.

The American government is doing everything in its power to help reduce this national epidemic. Supporters have backed the government’s claim the food industry is responsible for promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. According to Infobase Learning’s article “Diet and Obesity” “Only strong government action, supporters maintain, can neutralize the bad influence of the food industry and improve Americans' food choices.” Advocates of government intervention believe the food industry is to blame for the massive rate in which obesity is progressing. The factors that lead to obesity, we know are the lack of exercise and an eating an unhealthy diet, some Americans believe that the decisions people make are influenced by food industry in their advertisements to get consumers to purchase their product. By manipulating the consumer food business can prosper at the cost of their customer’s health.For example Obama’s administration formed a program that helps with “developing a set of principles to guide industry efforts to improve the nutritional profile of foods marketed directly to children ages 2–17 and to tap into the power of advertising and marketing to support healthful food choices."(Janet Adamy). Citizens who are promoting the passing of laws that allows the government to have access to the diet and advertising children receive in school are confident the changes will decrease obesity and promote business to local farms

There are many reasons why we crave and desire many different foods, but fast food is fast and easy why would there be a need for change. There are many reasons why people's way of eating needs to change. Overall, there are situations in our health industries, that even the environment that oneself lives in can be a problem to their health as well. It is up to the teenagers to help stop this situation because they are the future of our state. Overall, obesity has been a big problem since the 70’s. However, more than before has this situation escalated and obesity has affected our continent causing the healthcare to spend billions. Even though people know they should eat healthier it is hard to reject

In the current world fast food is a staple in all countries all over the world. Restaurants that make this obesogenic food are everywhere, and that is only where the problem originates. Fast food is known to be no good for the human body, but people still continue to eat it while knowing the consequences. It seems as though the teenagers of today have no chance. The measures proposed by many experts and parents are too drastic for teens to accomplish, and there seems to be no education that is accessible to teens. The government needs to provide education through media that is targeted towards the coming generation, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and also provide programs or measures that are able to be completed without the need for drastic action. The need for the parent to do their part is also needed, but with the amount of media available to teens makes them the most valuable to the solution.

Obesity takes the lives of 300,000 people each year and each person was someone's child, someone’s mother, someone’s loved one, or someone’s friend. Today 66% of Americans are considered obese while only 2% of Americans were considered obese in the 1970s. In the 70s, Americans were not worried about being obese and getting obesity related diseases because there were fewer divorced families, fewer working moms, and fewer fast food restaurants. The increase in the number of divorced families, working mothers, and expansion of fast food restaurants has contributed to our current obesity epidemic. Obesity occurs when human beings become extremely overweight by consuming an enormous amount of calories with a limited amount of activity. Americans who are between the ages of 18 to 26 years old, will play a huge factor in America's future health due to the importance of the millennial’s role in America's society. Fast food companies, as well as the government, should be held accountable, but individuals also need to take responsibility for making healthier choices. To end the obesity epidemic and obesity related diseases in America, the government needs to become more involved in regulating farmers and businesses on product pricing and food selections, as well as educating people, specifically millennials, about food choices and taking personal responsibility for the future health of America.

The fast food is the principal problem the millions of American people because eat so much fast food, this is bad for our body and can produce serious ills. “Fast food isn't the only cause of obesity, but Schlosser says it is one of the factors that is making the United States the fattest country in the world, with huge costs in health care and mortality that go along with it. The typical can of soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar”(ABC News).The best seller, just out in paperback, contends that fast food has changed the way Americans eat, and is partly to blame for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and deaths from Fast food is one of the