...Robin Turner 0165959 ENG 101 – 12 October 11, 2012 Who’s to Blame? It has become common today that obesity has become a serious problem. In the article “Don’t Blame the Eater”, David Zinczenko argues that fast food companies contribute to obesity. Zinczenko chastises these fast food companies. He sympathizes with the teenagers that put in a lawsuit against the fast food industry because he was a latchkey kid himself due to his parents being divorced and his mother working long hours to foot the bills. Zinczenko gained an enormous amount of weight by the time he was 15 years of age. He turned his life around by joining the Navy Reserves, changing his diet and eventually getting involved with a health magazine. I’m of two minds about Zinzcenko’s claim that Obesity and Diabetes are health problems due to the lack of personal responsibility. On one hand, I agree that everyone is accountable for what goes in and out their mouths, except for babies. Also, life is about choices, either one chooses to pick the good choice or go with the bad choice. It’s all up to that person to make the decision. On the other hand, I’m not sure if personal responsibility can outweigh these top notch fast food restaurants. What is a teenager to do if their parents are working extended hours and is never at home to cook a healthy meal? Is it really logical that teens would pull something out the freezer and make them a homemade meal when McDonalds is on the nearest corner and Taco Bell is not far...
Words: 449 - Pages: 2
...Does Fast Food Cause Obesity? Every time Americans tune into the local news broadcasts or scroll through their television channels, they are likely to be stunned at the number of cases of obesity that have been reported in Americans. Seeing human beings that weigh over six hundred pounds has become a popular trend in today’s society, and it’s not even questioned even though many harsh consequences come from being obese. It is sometimes difficult to imagine how these people have sustained this kind of weight and lifestyle. Inevitably, people begin to question whether or not fast food is the cause of obesity rising in America today. Before we can clarify that fast food companies are to blame for people over eating the food produced in these facilities, it must be tested and proven that fast food is actually the main problem causing obesity in America. It is known to many people how the number of fast food restaurants are increasing almost every day. This is very convenient for fast food restaurant chains. Fast-food increases obesity by lowering food prices, tempting customers who have absolutely no self-control, and by being a suitable go to at the end of a very busy day. What causes individuals to consume fast food to the point where they cannot stop themselves? People hold different opinions on this topic. In the past, people in the United States used to eat healthy, eat nutritious prepared food and meals, and exercise with their families. Today, many people in the United...
Words: 867 - Pages: 4
...Who’s to blame for obesity in America? Is the fast food company who provides the food or us who eat that food? According to Don’t Blame the Eater by David Zinczenko, he says that the fast food companies are to blame. However, I beg to differ; we are responsible for the obesity in America. The fast food companies doesn’t come to your door and ask you to eat their food, instead it’s the other way around. The reason why there is obesity in America is because of the choices that people make and the money that they have. Also the lack of understanding of nutritional values goes hand to hand with the choice that people make. Lots of people eat at unhealthy fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Taco Bell is because they have cheap food. But that don’t mean that fast food is always the best choice. There are fast food restaurant which are little more expensive, but lot healthier, like Chipotle and Subway. The problem with fast food restaurants like Chipotle is that there aren’t that many around like McDonalds. In his essay David Zinczenko wrote that “restaurants like McDonalds don’t have nutritional fast on its food because it isn’t covered under Food and Drug Administration laws, so most people don’t know what they are eating and what kind of nutrients are in it”. But I believe that it is the consumers’ job to find out what they are putting in the body. Also restaurants like McDonalds and Taco Bell have become symbol of American fast food. If you ask anybody to name one fast food...
Words: 369 - Pages: 2
...PHI - 001 Critical Thinking Professor Catherine Newman Obesity in America 3/14/2014 A lot has been said about the topic that I am choosing to write about. Obesity in America is a huge problem with not only adults but children as well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) states that statistically speaking more than one-third of US adults (35.7%) is obese, for children the CDC states that 15.21% are obese. JAMA (2012) Many blame the recent development of technology i.e. video games, TV, and the media. Even our economy could be the one to blame, but we’ll dive into that later on. Throughout this paper I will be talking about the causes of obesity, the effects obesity has, and how can we prevent it. What causes obesity? Throughout the generations we have experienced a lot of changes in the world such as advancement of technology, medical sciences, etc. Many children now a days are learning how to get an infinite kill streak in Call of Duty, rather than learning how to play ultimate Frisbee, or 2 hand touch football. We also put a lot...
Words: 912 - Pages: 4
...Boseley’s book ‘’The shape we’re In’’ published in 2014. The article mainly discusses the issue of obesity in England. Sarah Boseley focuses on the effects of obesity ‘’This is about a very real threat to our health. Obesity is a life shortening condition’’ and whether or not the issue with obesity is caused by the manufactures, the government or people themselves. Everyone is concerned with his or her health. ‘’Am I going to die because of a heart attack?’’, ‘‘will I be able so see my grandkids’’, ‘’do others think I look fat?’’, ‘’Am I a bit overweight?’’ These are all questions most people ask themselves at some point in their life. Sarah Boseley’s article ‘’How Britain got so fat’’ speaks to a broad audience, since most age groups concerns about their health. Obesity is a phenomenon we hear about in the radio, see on the television or read about in articles. “Obesity looks like Georgia, we think. It doesn’t look like us’’. Sarah Boseley states that most people associate obesity with the way we look and the size of the clothes we wear. But obesity is something very serious and should be considered a threat to the life expectancy of humans. The big question Sarah Boseley is searching for is ‘’who is to blame?’’. Obesity is not only one sided, there are many causes to the problem. Sarah Boseley starts her article with an example of an extreme degree of obesity. Georgia Davis a teenage girl weighing 400 kilos, had a wall torn down, in order for a medical team...
Words: 1017 - Pages: 5
...Fast Food And Childhood Obesity: Is Fast Food The Cause? Alycia Dunn English Research Paper Mr. Krause May 2, 2016 Childhood Obesity And Fast Food There have been claims that fastfood restaurants are the leading factors of obesity. The over sized proportions in the fast food industry have taken a toll on the amount of calories one consumes on a daily basis. Although, there are high amounts of calories in fast food, that doesn’t stop one from exercising in an attempt to burn calories. In addition, the average amount of exercise has declined over the years, which clouds the judgement on whether fast food truly causes obesity. There are many factors that contribute to the overweight population, so the blame isn’t on one party, it’s on the individual also. Scientists have found that the link between weight gain and fast food is indistinguishable because fast food still gives off fifty percent of the energy people need to function. However, nutritionists have also researched and found that fast food gives more calories than an average person can burn during basic activities during the day. Scientists have also concluded that their research on whether or not fast food is the cause of the rise in obesity rates is false because what you eat is only one factor on weight gain. In addition to that, the younger the person is the more likely their metabolism is higher than someone who’s older than them. Therefore, fast food is not the cause of obesity...
Words: 380 - Pages: 2
...HEAD: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1 Childhood Obesity C. Kevin Barr SOC120 John Meeks February 8, 2013 CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2 Childhood Obesity and the Health Concerns Obesity is such a hot topic in America today and childhood obesity and the ethical arguments over obesity has greatly increased over the last 10 years. Health problems that occur from this deadly disease is something that no one wants to talk about. When people think about health, what usually is discussed is cancer or heart disease. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there that is really not taken very seriously and that is obesity. In America there are hundreds of thousands of children that are overweight. Obesity is a disease, a disease associated with many other health issues, including congestive heart problems, diabetes among other physical and mental complications associated with this disease. We will discuss throughout this paper how one of the classical theories would help resolve the problems that are associated with the dangers of childhood obesity, then discuss the perspective of society and how it relates to relativism in today's world. There are many arguments about how childhood obesity starts, who's to blame for allowing this to happen and societies ethical and moral obligation associated with fixing the problem. Who or what is to blame for the increasing...
Words: 1692 - Pages: 7
...Introductions (no hook yet): Children depend on junk food when they get to school. Whether it be the flaming hot cheetos they always walk past in the lunch line that they just can´t resist, or a pizza that they serve daily. As much as the kids will appreciate the never ending pizza and soda lunches, their bodies would say otherwise. This kind of food being served to students is extremely unhealthy. Kids will most likely alway choose junk food over the healthier option, causing the amount of obese children to increase drasticly, enabling unhealthy habits for these students in the future, and to their children. Paragraph 1: Moreover, kids are constantly choosing junk food over healthy food, and who's to blame them? In other words, if...
Words: 947 - Pages: 4
...Children with Obesity Written By Michelle Milewski 8/2/2015 Professor pike Liberty University English 101 D-01 APA Abstract Childhood Obesity has reached epidemic levels in developed countries. Children in the United States form ages 6-11 years old “Who were obese increased from 7 percent in 1980 and nearly 18 percent in 2012” (CDC - Obesity - Facts - Adolescent and School Health, 2015). Overweight and obesity in childhood are known to have significant impact on both physical and psychological health problems. Here’s a question who’s to blame for childhood obesity? Obesity is the largest concern in our country, but it is just not our country. This has gone worldwide. One of the problems is that the fast food restaurants are supersizing their products and decreasing the cost. This is what causes childhood obesity. As the saying goes you are what you eat as our nation grows so does the appetite of many American children. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV - Or do you not know that your body is a, n.d.) Who is to blame for the childhood obesity the parents or the children? Some will say either why? simply this is the parents is the one who orders or buy’s the food. The parents are the ones who lets their children snack on Junk food such as chips, candy, mountain dew, monster energy...
Words: 1291 - Pages: 6
...qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwer...
Words: 1484 - Pages: 6
...Childhood Obesity Stephanie Johnson COM156 December 23, 2012 Brian Joseph Childhood Obesity Nearly 12.5 million children in America ages 2-19 currently suffer from obesity (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). It is easy to point the finger and shift blame, but the focus should be on solving the problem. Despite the increasing awareness about this condition in addition to programs that promote diet and exercise, the number of cases continues to the rise. Many schools have changed their approach to eating and physical activity, but the problem may require a bigger answer. Childhood obesity in America can be eliminated with parent education and the willingness to adapt to a healthier lifestyle. Who’s to Blame? The issue of childhood obesity has many different complex issues, but is it right to cast the blame on one particular party? The one thing that is certain is that it is not a problem where that child him- or herself can be held responsible. With this in mind, who are the other parties that have a contribution to this problem, the parents, school systems, society? Parents Whether parents want to assume any of the blame, they do play a part in this problem either directly or indirectly. The parents and their eating habits have a great deal to do with the example that is modeled for their children; if a parent has poor eating habits than so will the child. For this reason, it is important that parents of young child set a good example of healthy eating...
Words: 2001 - Pages: 9
...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 like five dollars as opposed to a cheeseburger for a dollar so people obviously choose the cheaper choice in the meal. Fast food takes effect in the body right away. According to Kristin Kirkpatrick, the only reason people go through...
Words: 2291 - Pages: 10
...failed to imitate them.”(Baldwin, 2003). Childhood obesity is a medical condition that affects too many children today. Who is to blame? (Slovieiter, 2008). “Childhood obesity is not a problem with the children it’s a problem with the parents.” (Baldwin, 2003). Parents do not educate their children about the importance of eating healthy and exercising. They are too busy with work and other things to take the time to prepare a healthy meal or snack, so they buy fast foods for their children to eat. Most of these parents do not understand how important it is for their children to eat healthy and exercise. Many do not even think exercise is critically important for themselves and their children. However, research have has shown exercise to be essential for one’s health. Therefore, opening a fitness center and providing educational classes can help with the problem. Childhood obesity has increased over the years. There are many factors that contribute to this increase, like for instance parents. Many parents do not know what childhood obesity is, and the effects it can have on their children. So they have failed short on educating their children on the importance of eating healthy and exercising. I interviewed a parent on the topic of childhood obesity. Jamikia West, a mother of three, who has one child that is obese. The conclusion from the interview was that she is a parent who does not know what childhood obesity is. Parents tend to go by the knowledge of what they...
Words: 2442 - Pages: 10
...http://www.nhs.uk/news/2015/01January/Pages/Child-obesity-rates-are-stabilising.aspx Child obesity rates are 'stabilising' Friday January 30 2015 | Obese children tend to grow up to be obese adults | 1 | "The rise in childhood obesity … may be beginning to level off," BBC News reports. Researchers examined trends in child and adolescent rates of overweight and obesity using electronic GP records from 1994 to 2013. The data shows there was a significant increase in child and adolescent overweight and obesity rates every year during the first decade from 1994 to 2003. Overall, annual rates did not increase significantly during the second decade, 2004 to 2013.However, when split by age category, the results showed there was still a significant upward trend in overweight and obesity rates for the oldest age group (11 to 15 years) – albeit with less of an increase than there was in the first decade. At its maximum in recent years, overweight and obesity has affected almost two-fifths of adolescents in this age group.As the researchers used GP records, it is possible children who have problems with their weight and were assessed by their GP are over-represented. This could then lead to an overestimate of prevalence. However, it is hard to think of another method of analysis that would provide a more reliable estimate.While it is encouraging to see that the child obesity epidemic is not getting worse, there are also no clear signs as yet that it's getting any better. Underlying...
Words: 1890 - Pages: 8
...habit exposes us to different diseases, most particularly to obesity. The number of cases of obesity in the Philippines is continuously increasing. This has been proven by a research conducted in 2013 by the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity Incorporated. According to them, three out of ten Filipinos are suffering from obesity. Moreover, Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology has supported these findings and claimed that it is a “growing epidemic”. The results also show that there are more cases of female obesity than male. Obesity is commonly associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and mortality. (Corbin & Welk, 1970) For women, obesity implies more risk in developing complications due to maternity. Before, it was only a term for the condition of a person who suffered from exposure to unhealthy living that created excess weight. (Fahey, Insel & Roth, 2011) An article in the Journal of Obesity revealed that many obese people suffer from depression and low self-appreciation. In the study, it was observed that obese people tend to have a lower self-esteem compared to their thinner counterpart. In accordance to this, researchers have already conducted experiments to examine the relationship between obesity and psychological problems such as poor self-esteem. In all cases of obesity, people have larger body size. Therefore, obesity makes them more conscious about their body image to avoid...
Words: 3065 - Pages: 13
