After a hard day of work most people want a quick and easy dinner so they automatically think of eating out for the night. There are some who do blame Taco Bell and McDonalds because of their high fat foods. Parents are the ones responsible for what their kids eat in my eyes. They can help their family and themselves by bringing home more healthier food and "accept their role in fighting the problem"(Weintraub 11). When a family goes out to eat out at McDonalds, they buy meals that are extremely over portioned or "meals that can easily make up to half of their recommended daily intake of calories"(Brownlee 1).
Many people believe that it is not the responsibility of the food industry that obesity is becoming a serious issue because it is based on sole responsibility of what they choose to eat, whether they choose to exercise or not, and in the case of child obesity, the lack of responsibility the parents maintain; and the food industry concurs when addressed by the government. They are very defensive when they are resistant when the government tries to restrict the food industry from marketing to children in Australia. Legislation has begun to have fast-food restaurants display the nutritional
McDonald’s uses a clown and playgrounds to attract children to their restaurant, serving their happy meals as presents with toys. Eric Schlosser whose article explains the marketing of children says, research shows that “a person’s “brand loyalty” may begin as early as the age of two. Indeed, market research has found that children often recognize a brand logo before they can recognize their own name (Schlosser, 190). So if from childhood we are conditioned and aimed at by marketing advertisements can we ever break free? Food can be an addiction and with fast food corporations literally telling us to eat their food how can we resist?
It’s known as diet and exercise; you hear it all the time when talking about weight loss. It is really simple to blame the food industry on why so many more people are obese today, but what you eat is your decision and healthy food is available to everyone who is interested in eating healthy. Sometimes people have a hard time fitting a workout into their busy schedule. You can procrastinate a simple workout all you want, but it doesn’t take a lot to take the stairs instead of the elevator, take a fifteen minute walk every night, or to play an active game with your family. Instead of video games, encourage your children to play outside when it is warm and get them to have an active lifestyle.
This responsibility also needs to be the leading factor in the lawsuits that are being filed against fast food companies because of childhood obesity. We are all aware of the health risks associated with eating these kind of meals and although children are left with little choice at times as to what to prepare themselves for breakfast, lunch or dinner, there are healthier alternatives for preparing meals which are also cheaper to purchase than fast food. With all the information available on the Internet, brochures at fast food restaurants and other nutrition tips at these establishments we need to hold ourselves responsible for our health and stop blaming the fast food
Both private and publicly owned institutions that have not kept the public sufficiently educated on the dangers of eating the products they serve or produce; these companies have made millions of dollars on the sales of fast food, junk food, and sugar drinks. As a nation we should be stressing physical activity in home and at school, however, recess is being systematically eliminated, while games and sports equipment is being sacrificed for other costs. The fast food industry has done a wonderful job in making children want fast food and convincing parents that fast food meals are a nutritious alternative to cooking meals at home and they are quick, easy, and affordable. “Advertisements often portray unhealthy eating messages to children. As many commercials are for fast food, soft drinks, and cereals sweetened with sugar, one could argue that children are encouraged by the media to consume high fat, energy dense food” (Ebbeling, Pawlak, & Ludwig, 2002).
The easy way out to being healthy and eating right for ones body, fast food has plagued the nation especially with diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even strokes or heart attacks. A question is now posed of whether or not fast foods should be fed to children, in substitute of their regular lunches at school. These kids are what seem like innocent victims because of their naivety towards the real problems with fast food. The problems with this quick fix in school cafeterias are that students would become obese, they would develop bad habits, and that the school would be advertising for these companies. “More than 70 percent of obese adolescents retain their overweight and obese condition even during their adulthood” (What Are Children Munching On?).
America has increased in childhood obesity. By minimizing fast foods restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Taco Bell and enforcing physical activity on a day to day basis such as running and working out, obesity can come to an end. Decreasing childhood obesity means providing a healthier life style for kids, whether food wise or physically active. Providing is giving, maintaining and making life genetically and environmentally better for children. Children in America have bad habits and food choices, which are influenced by their parents hereditarily and environmentally such as my little cousin Grecia.
Food Consumption Among American Teenagers American teenagers eat many different types of food. Some teenagers today are starting to pay attention to health warnings about what they put into their bodies. Those that do not will greatly impede how healthy they are later in their lives. There are so many food choices that can be made throughout each day. Lack of time due to homework, sports participation, and social lives can hurt healthful eating.
Childhood Obesity pg.1 Childhood Obesity Sociology 111 Mrs. Roberts November 16, 2011 Childhood Obesity pg.2 Historically there has always been a problem with obesity in children. Chubby babies and toddlers were more likely to survive infections and contagious diseases, and overweight children and family members were often thought to be financially secure. Today being overweight puts a child at risk for developing chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels. Obesity can promote degenerative joint disease which will result in painful knees, hips, feet, and back. Childhood obesity does not affect just the child, it can be stressful on an entire family (Childhood Obesity, 1998, p.1).