ipl-logo

Adam Oliver Analysis

494 Words2 Pages

Adam Oliver, senior lecturer at the London School of Economics and Political Science, wrote an article in The BMJ (2011) explaining how nudging, or libertarian paternalism, in an effective means of tackling the obesity epidemic in the United Kingdom. Given the similarities in societal structure and government between the U.K. and the U.S., his ideas can be extrapolated to the context of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. Yet where Oliver’s article, and many other arguments, falls flat is in the lack of attention paid to socioeconomic class and opportunity.

According to Oliver (2011), “people are free to engage in the behaviour change intervention if they wish but are not required to alter their behaviour if they ultimately do not wish to do so,” a theory that may work in the context of the examples he gave, such as in Iceland, a country that has one of the smallest margins of income disparity, and in workplace settings where it might be assumed that everyone is earning a steady income. Yet it has been shown in the U.S. that nudging, due to fiscal constraints, does not work among the nations poor, who are largely at the greatest risk for obesity and obesity related health complications. …show more content…

in hopes to nudge consumers, particularly youth, away from high caloric drinks in exchange for healthier options, consumers instead found alternative beverages at a similar price that contained roughly the same caloric value and there was virtually no decrease in weight (Gross, 2015). Furthermore, showing calories on restaurant menus have proven ineffective in reducing caloric intake. In some instances individuals with low socioeconomic status are more likely to buy the higher calorie food items believing that additional calories with sustain them longer (Fletcher, Frisvold, & Tefft,

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Fat Land By Greg Critser

    1506 Words  | 7 Pages

    Fat Land Book Review Every new year brings with it a host of new pressing issues and challenges that our nation must confront and overcome, and though economic and global concerns certainly deserve a large part of our attention, as a nation we have almost entirely forgotten or ignored many problems that have been plaguing us for decades. Chiefly among these concerns is the ever growing obesity epidemic, which has seen a dramatic increase over the past several decades and looks to be continuing its trend into our near future. In his book, Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World, Greg Critser delves into many of the significant causes behind this staggering increase in girth our nation has been experiencing, and offers

    Read More

  • Unit 3 Health And Social Care Case Study

    160 Words  | 1 Pages

    Diet and obesity are major contributors to health inconsistency, with the most deprived being most at risk. This is due to the poorest living in run-down areas with no reasonably priced nutritional food available from local shops. If they are unable to afford the costs of travelling to areas supplying this, or if they are time poor then cooking beneficial meals is difficult then they are more likely to buy cheap, fatty products. The involvement of the government in the population’s lifestyle means that they should be accountable for the effects that come alongside an unhealthy regime, such as an increase in health problems such as Coronary heart disease. This means that the treatment an individual receives shouldn’t be approached differently

    Read More

  • David Zinczenko's 'Don't Blame the Eater' : A Rhetorical Analysis

    775 Words  | 4 Pages

    He goes on to say “Complicating the lack of alternatives is the lack of information about what, exactly, we’re consuming” (197). He says there are no nutritional calorie charts on fast food packages, the way they are on grocery items. Most readers would instantly understand that statement, but Zinczenko hammers it home with an example of complicated calorie facts. He shows how fast food restaurants make their calorie information complicated by splitting up different parts of the meal. (198).

    Read More

  • Obesity In The Fat Tax, By Jonathan Rauch

    334 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the article “The Fat Tax,” Jonathan Rauch ironically discusses the new public policy concern with obesity. Although the article is a satire, it’s economic analysis is actually valid. In order to get his point across, Rauch uses sarcasm, appeals to logos, and degrades the issue of obesity to help Americans better understand the “big picture.” Moreover, if the diet of American consumers does not change then maybe advertising more exercise to lose weight will cut down the obesity rate; but to be just as effective, enacting the fat tax will improve health as well.

    Read More

  • David Freedman's Essay 'How Junk Food Can End Obesity'

    1218 Words  | 5 Pages

    In David Freedman’s essay How Junk food Can End Obesity, Freedman makes the claim to policy arguing that instead of demonizing processed foods, Americans should instead support the idea and production of healthier processed and junk foods. He calls on the public to recognize that while many products on the market these days are labeled as “wholesome” and “healthy”, consumers should learn to become aware of the fat and calorie content in these products because many times they have the same- if not more- fat and calorie contents as that of a typical Big Mac or Whopper. In his essay, Freedman primarily places blame on the media and the wholesome food movement for the condemnation of the fast and processed food industries saying, “An enormous amount of media space has been dedicated to promoting the notion that all processed food, and only processed food, us making us sickly and overweight” (Freedman), he further expresses that this portrayal of the

    Read More

  • Food Deserts

    1687 Words  | 7 Pages

    The main contributor, widely reported by top experts, is the consumption of cheap, and convenient foods such as fast food and the myriad of boxed foods available in the supermarket. Diane Brady asserts in her essay, “The Employer-Friendly Case for Pricer Big Macs” that “Of all the reasons why a third of U.S. adults are obese, the lure of cheap, unhealthy food ranks near the top” (519). With continual attention being given to the effects of unhealthy foods on adults and especially young people, one would think that America would wise up and stop consuming it at such an alarming rate. Again, Brady points out that, “Fast food chains have raised their game with healthier menu offerings and support for programs that encourage physical activity, but they continue to thrive by selling high-calorie food. McDonald’s salads, introduced in 1987, make up just 2 percent to 3 percent of U.S. sales” (520).

    Read More

  • How Junk Food Can End Obesity By David Freedman Analysis

    132 Words  | 1 Pages

    In “How Junk Food Can End Obesity” David Freedman argues that ending processed food is not going to help solve obesity problems. He knows that “Junk food is bad for you because it’s full of fats and problems carb” (Freedman 515). Freedman believe that we should use technology to improve fast-food by taking out the unhealthy products in it, instead of getting rid of fast-food entirely. He also talks about his experiences with food between wholesome food and McDonald’s. He discusses how McDonald’s smoothies have the lowest calories and are cheapest out of all other smoothies he had.

    Read More

  • 'Rhetorical Analysis Of Don T Blame The Eater' By

    253 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko explains that the only affordable meal choice for an American teenager is fast food. Zinczenko recognizes that families consume these food sources because of the numerous McDonald’s restaurants and the lack of grocery stores in the area. Zinczenko argues that “Some fast-food purveyors will provide calorie information on request, but even that can be hard to understand”(464). However, fast-food is not the blame as Zinczenko argues in the article it 's the consumer that is to blame. The consumer has the control to eat what they want.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Childhood Obesity

    1650 Words  | 7 Pages

    In a western society that continuous to renounce communalism and embrace individualism, it is easily noticed that the problems faced by few are ignored by the many. This ignorance, intentional or not, is allowing communal problems to accelerate the pace. However, the issue at hand is one that affects you whether or not you are aware of it; if you are an American, or in any western society for that matter. It affects nearly twenty percent of the under eighteen population in the United States and costs taxpayers on average 14 billion dollars per year. As a Parent, it can tack $19,000 onto the total of raising each child.

    Read More

  • What You Eat Is Your Business By Radley Balko Analysis

    1610 Words  | 7 Pages

    In “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Radley Balko tackles the issue of who is responsible for fighting obesity. Balko argues that the controversy of obesity should make the individual consumers culpable for their own health and not the government (467). As health insurers refrain from increasing premiums for obese and overweight patients, there is a decrease in motivation to keep a healthy lifestyle (Balko 467). As a result, Balko claims these manipulations make the public accountable for everyone else 's health rather than their own (467). Balko continues to discuss the ways to fix the issue such as insurance companies penalizing consumers who make unhealthy food choices and rewarding good ones (468).

    Read More

  • How Junk Food Can End Obesity By David Freedman

    1020 Words  | 5 Pages

    Junk food is responsible for the growing rate of obesity. This is outlined by David freedman in his article of “How junk food can end obesity.” David Freedman has credited the “health-food” motion, and followers of it along with Michel Pollan. Freedman claims that if the America desires to stop the obesity epidemic, or at least reduce its effects, they must shift to the fast meals and processed meals enterprise for assist, now not the “health-food” movement.

    Read More

  • What You Eat Is Your Business Rhetorical Analysis

    490 Words  | 2 Pages

    In both David Zinczenko’s “Don’t Blame The Eater” and “ Radley Balko’s “What You Eat is Your Business”, the argument of obesity in America is present and clear from opposing viewpoints. Both articles were written in the early 2000’s, when the popular political topic of the time was obesity and how it would be dealt by our nation in the future. While Zinczenko argues that unhealthy junk food is an unavoidable cultural factor, Balko presents the thought that the government should have no say in it’s citizens diet or eating habits. Zinczenko’s article was written with the rhetorical stratedgy of pathos in mind.

    Read More

  • Income Inequality In America Essay

    449 Words  | 2 Pages

    3.1 How income inequality affect on people live in America. The income gap in America affects people, who live in this country. The issue has a strong impact in America’s society; in particular, the nutritional disparity between rich and poor people. In USA, the food gap becomes the top signal for the class distinction, but it used to be clothing or fashion. The food inequality in America is not only influencing the poverty, it is also cost hundreds of billions of dollar per year because of Non Communicable Diseases (NDCs) (Ferdman, 2014).

    Read More

  • Obesity Proposal Research Paper

    1518 Words  | 7 Pages

    Obesity is a major problem in the United States, and with all the special privileges given to its people, America has become very lazy. With portion sizes rising and physical activity decreasing, it is easy to see how the rates on obesity has risen over the years in America. Obesity is a major problem that needs to be resolved because it affects all people of every gender, age, and race are at risk of being obese. Obesity rates in America have nearly doubled rather tripled within the last twenty years due to the many privileges that the American people have before us. Something must be done to overcome decrease the

    Read More

  • Titanic Research Ethics

    1339 Words  | 6 Pages

    The truth is: calorie menus in restaurants don’t lead to “LESS” healthy decisions, it/they simply don’t lead to “better” decisions. 12. People seldom notice what’s right in front of them. Here’s an anecdotal explanation I like to use because it involves people who are paid to notice. Twenty-four radiologists were asked to examine lung scans, and search for nodules, which are potentially indicative of cancer.

    Read More

More about Adam Oliver Analysis

Open Document