Fast+Food+Feud+Essay

At first glance, the relationship between the rapidly growing issue of obesity in America and the enormous increase in popularity which fast food restaurants have recently undergone may seem like a simple problem with an even simpler fix. Unfortunately, the situation is much more complex than it at first appears. A growing number of people are pointing their fingers at the fast food industry, blaming them for unleashing this horrible unhealthiness upon innocent people. On the other side of the debate, a number of people feel that the responsibility of healthy eating lies no with fast food distributors, but with consumers. In my personal opinion, it is a complicated mix of these two things which has thrown us into this unhealthy cycle.

First of all, a large and increasing number of people are blaming the fast food industry for health problems in America, and have evidence to support this claim. One of the major problems with the meat industry in general is that it is dominated heavily by about four organizations. Because these meat packing organizations are slaughtering roughly 85 percent of American’s meat, as opposed to 21 percent in 1970, they have resorted to processes which are more efficient. This means that our food now contains many chemicals, fats, and sugars which were not to be found previously. Many anti-fast food activists have lashed out at the industry for not making health information regarding these ingredients easily available to the public. Without this information, these activists don’t believe that people are given the ability to take responsibility. People that have gone so far as to sue McDonalds over their obesity received a mix of support and disbelief. However, as Shannon Brownlee states, “remember that it once seemed equal ludicrous that smokers could successfully sue tobacco companies for their addiction to cigarettes.

Furthermore, studies have shown that clever techniques and advertising on the part of the fast food industry have seduced people to overeat when they ordinarily wouldn’t. One popular technique has been to greatly increase portion sizes for a low increase in price. “That’s why 7-Elven can sell the 64 ounce Double Gulp-half a gallon of soda and nearly 600 calories-for only 37 cents more than the 16 ounce, 89 cent regular Gulp. You’d feel ripped off if you bought the smaller size.” Another popular technique is to market to children. According to studies annually most of which is junk food. Some kids whose parents are too busy to cook anything have no choice except to eat fast food. Some schools even have contracts to call fast food to kids. “According to a survey by C.D.C., about 20 percent of the nation’s schools now offer brand-name fast food.”

On the contrary to these anti-fast food activists, some pople argue that people are responsible for what they put into their own mouth. “Kids taking on McDonald’s this week, suing the company for making them fat. Isn’t that like middle-aged men suing Porsche for making them get speeding tickets? Whatever happened to personal responsibility?” These fast food supporters have addressed the issues regarding kids as well. Studies have shown that kids are likely to develop eating habits similar to those of their parents who eat 5 servings day of fruits and vegetables, for instance, will probably do likewise.

In my own opinion it is both the responsibility of the fast food industry and o fits customers to maintain healthy eating habits. Restaurants should ensure that people have ability to make healthy choices by providing calorie and health information regarding their food. They should also limit the amount of advertising that reaches kids. Finally, they could intorduce healthier options. In their turn, people need to make there healthy choices and take repsonsibility for their own childrens' health.

All in all, it may be seen that this situation is more complex than it seems at first. Some believe that the industry is at fault, while others believe that consumers are. I believe it is a combination of both. Ultimately, I feel that, regardeless of who blames who for what, we can solve this problem if everyone does their part.