Rachael Burgess
ID# 0281953
Eng. 101-F2
Short Essay Obesity in America: Balko vs Zinczenko
Obesity is a growing problem in the US. There are many ways to go around trying and fixing it. Whiter they’re right or wrong is the question. How they go about it is another thing entirely. David Zinczenko and Radley Balko are from opposing sides on this issue. Zinczenko takes the sides of those who chose to blame the fast food companies. While Balko states that everyone should have personal responsibility. Which, I agree with. Out of the two of them, Balko is the one I have sided with.
In his essay DZ states “Before 1994, only about 5 percent of childhood cases were obesity-related, or Type 2 diabetes. In 2002, "according to the National Institutes of Health, Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes in this country"(Zinczenko) This number has grown according to most health studies. Though, Zinczenko states this fact firmly. He does not provide a strong connection to this and obesity in children. Though he is trying to prove a good point there is not enough information to back it up. If he had the proper facts his argument would have been better.
DZ had concluded that "Fast-food companies are marketing to children a product with proven health hazards and no warning labels. They would do well to protect themselves, and their customers, by providing the nutrition information people need to make informed choices about their products" (Zinczenko) He actually states a very true fact that’s stands strong even today. Companies know that many children are not informed about what is in fast food. By doing this they secure a large amount of money for themselves. Zinczenko also is true by stating the companies should have labels so the parents know what they’re feeding their children. Balko stated in his essay, that the U.S.