1. Explain the ethical dilemma and explain why it is a dilemma. Our government needs to do something to turn the growing wave of obesity in our country but is taxing unhealthy foods the answer? Despite no clear evidence of a link between obesity and eating unhealthy food there is a movement to tax what we put in our mouths. However, does eating unhealthy food cause obesity or does obesity cause one to eat unhealthy food (Marlow, 2013)?
Balko thinks the government must make obesity a personal responsibility. On the other hand, in an article called “Junking Junk Food” by Judith Warner, she argues that the government needs to be involved. Warner believes that in order to end obesity the government must change the way we see food. I agree with Judith Warner and can both agree and disagree with some of Radley Balko’s points. In Radley Balko’s “What You Eat is Your Business,” he argues that obesity is the responsibility of the individual not the government.
In the article “Remarks to the NAACP” by Michelle Obama she argues the position that the choice of being healthy or unhealthy ultimately relies on the choices we make in our everyday lives. Obama states “We’re working to give parents information they need to make healthy decisions for their families” (425). However in the article “What You Eat Is Your Own Business” by Radley Balko he discusses that government intervention can be beneficial but should be focusing on self responsibly. Americans need the involvement of the government to help promote healthier lifestyles. Balko states in “What You Eat Is Your Business”, “Judging by the scheduled program, the summit promises to be a pep rally for media, nutrition activists, and policy makers – 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 for children, and prodding the food industry into more “responsible” behavior.
He showed some causes of childhood obesity, and he thought that people should care more about the other causes. The aim of this essay is to analyze this article. First of all, the article was written by Pierce Hollingsworth who is the director of Stagnito Communications Inc. This company is a food, beverage, packaging and integrated marketing communications company, so he might give some biases about the food marketing. According to Pierce Hollingsworth (2004), the parents and school should not blame the food marketing for being the main cause of obesity rather than teaching and helping the kids to have good habit of eating.
| Evidence | The government has given us the choice to eat what we want but we tend not to eat healthier but only junk food. The federal School was issued a new, healthier lunch dietary guideline. First lady Michelle Obama helps students from Washington with eating healthier in the schools. “Marion Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor in the in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University. Billions of dollars in advertising messages, food sold everywhere-in gas stations, vending machines, libraries and stores that sell clothing, books, office supplies, cosmetics and drugs-and huge portions of food at bargain prices (Par 7).” | Explanation (how it supports your argument) | If they wouldn’t sell junk food everywhere people go.
corticoids and antidepressants.Previously considered as an aesthetic problem, obesity is now regarded as a real illness. Being severely overweight and obesity are responsible for a certain number of problems e.g. Premature death – according to international obesity task force (IOTF) obese women run three times more risk of being affected by a cerebral vascular illness than thin women. There is a high risk of thromboembolic diseases (angina pectoris, phlebitis and pulmonary embolism).Arterial Hypertension - is linked to obesity in 30-60% of cases, notably in western adults under the age of 40. Type 2 Diabetes – this diabetes which appears in adults, and where insulin, which reduces blood sugar levels, is no longer effective is closely linked with being overweight.
The Food Industry in America Whether it’s juicier, bigger, crunchier, sweeter, saltier, or whatever the phrase the food industry and its around-the-clock marketing tactics has been a major cause of the obesity epidemic in recent decades. The result of Americans constant exposure to today's 'eat more' food culture has been to get people to desire high-calorie foods and to get them to become overeaters. Clearly the food industry’s tactics are working, America is fat and people everywhere know it. The food industry is corrupt. So corrupt in fact that even as it is seemingly doing the right thing, like promoting healthy foods to be served in schools for example, its wellness initiatives are frequently just marketing ploys.
Although obesity in adults continues to rise, the citizens of this nation are accustomed and less attuned to this issue. Never in the history of this country have there been so many obese children; and we are not prepared to deal with the enormous consequences childhood obesity will bring. Physical and neurological impairment, that could lead to a nation plagued with chronic illness, insurmountable debt and financial ruin. Although all are at risk for obesity, none are more at risk than those who are poverty stricken. The poor in this country are not able to afford healthy food, nor are they in the position to spend time exercising, both of which could help reduce their chances of obesity; lowering the cost of healthy foods through government subsides, and creating programs that support healthy living and exercise in poor neighborhoods could be two solutions to this growing problem.
In this essay, by Radley Balko, he refers to America’s approach at controlling obesity. He talks about the government trying to regulate menus and meals. He raises a good point in saying that the government getting involved with what we can eat, makes it feel like it’s not our responsibility to regulate our own eating habits. He also raises the point that America has taxes to assist those who are out of shape, but everyone is required to pay, irrelevant to their physical build. He is considered to be a liberal, which supports the fact that he would disagree with government regulating what food people eat to prevent obesity.
Blaming Fast Food Restaurants for Obesity Let’s face it; everyone loves a Whopper every now and then. Yet we are all aware that one too many can bring on dangerous and life-threatening results. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States and more and more children are being affected. But do uneducated families have the right to put the blame on fast food restaurants for their health issues they could have easily prevented? I believe that we are taking it too far by blaming fast food restaurants for obesity and that it is an individual’s responsibility to take the blame.