In them article “Let Them Eat Fat” the Author, Greg Crister, uses concrete facts and figures to buttress his arguments. Several researches were considered. There were also comparisons among race, culture, gender and social classes. For instance, “In 1998, Dr. David Satcher, the new U.S. surgeon general, was moved to declare childhood obesity to be epidemic."Today," he told a group of federal bureaucrats and policymakers, "we see a nation of young people seriously at risk of starting out obese and dooming themselves to the difficult task of overcoming a tough illness."
Studies from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, more than half of adults are overweight or obese and nearly one in five kindergarten students are obese (Doc A). Most overweight children usually have parents that are obese. The problem is that when parents do not eat right, neither do their children. Because, children eat what their parents cook. It is very important for the government to control what is consumed by kids. Children are the future and children with obesity can end up with serious health problems in the
Over the past few decades a new epidemic has crossed the nation. This new epidemic is childhood obesity. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, often referred to as the CDC, states that, “Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years” (Shields, 2015). The documentary entitled Fed Up by Stephanie Soechtig addresses this new epidemic. This life changing film examines factors that contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic and also how to prevent its spread. Three major points that this film discussed were the statistics behind obesity, the relationship between public health and the food industry, and it also discussed obesity prevention.
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). This forces the community to become responsible
In the intriguing article, “The ‘Childhood Obesity Epidemic’”, Tina Moffat presented the health issue of childhood obesity. In recent years, obesity has become an important issue on the public agenda. Ever since I was young, the word obesity began to pervade and increased its popularity throughout high school and college, as people become more self-conscious about their body sizes and more influenced by the mainstream view on overweight or obese people.
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.
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. The issue is childhood obesity, and it is only accelerating as a percentage of children in both America and all western nations of the world. Childhood Obesity is an issue relevant to all who consider themselves part of American society and it has profound adverse effects economically, physically for those afflicted with the issue, and mentally for those who live an obese childhood or within the family unit of a household with at least one obese child. The scope of the issue is massive and the impact of the consequences dire in many accounts. There is hope to reverse course and change the way of American-western living, and it starts with understanding the size and
Child obesity is not merely an issue in the world but it has been seen as an epidemic. The number of overweight and obese children has increased at an alarming rate over the past years, and there is no chance of it slowly down without action being taken. Children suffering from obesity face an increased risk of compromised physical and mental well-being. Obesity in children is a significant public health concern. In addition, there is evidence that the incidence of children who are overweight is increasing despite efforts to the contrary. The consequences of child obesity are far reaching, implicating not only children on a physical scale but also socially and mentally. However,
Fat acceptance is a radical concept that most Americans shy away from discussing. This is not the case with Hillel Schwartz’s essay “Fat and Happy?” from his book Never Satisfied. Schwartz discusses the way fat people are treated by society and what he believes life would be like if we lived in a Fat Society rather than the current Skinny World we live in. In his article it seems that Schwartz’s goal is to capture the attention of as many different audiences as possible by using sarcasm and many different sides to his argument that fat acceptance should be an important value in society. While Schwartz tries to connect to as many different audience members as possible with a dry and popular sense of humor by implementing a sarcastic tone, his
Obesity has gained a lot of attention in the recent years especially in the 21st century. Right now in America, there is an ongoing epidemic. The cause is not by viruses or bacteria, but by human nature. There is no one way to solve this serious problem. With growing body sizes and serious medical problems associated with obesity, it is a problem that needs to be addressed and changed. A good way to maintain a healthy weight includes; not smoking, drinking in moderation; a healthy diet and proper exercise. Taking these actions will result in a more relaxed, happy and healthy self. Obesity in America has reached epidemic proportions, although diet and exercise is important in weight management it is not the only cause to obesity.
“Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko is an article that argues that the fast-food industry is at fault for the rising rates of obesity and health care, not the consumers because they advertise and market cheap meals without mentioning the negative nutrition information. It is in some ways no different than the tobacco industry, in which they sell cheap and unhealthy food without offering information that is easy to read and comprehend. Zinczenko claims that “Fast-food companies are marketing to children a product with proven health hazards and no warning labels” (464). The author insists that the fast-food industry is primarily at fault for the health problems related to obesity in the United States. This assertion seems legitimate and
The press is known to explode with news everyday, informing the people on different topics that are happening worldwide. The newest revelation is on the soda ban in New York. Websites and pages are plastered with information and headlines announcing how “Mayor Bloomberg is overreaching with N.Y.C. large soda ban” or “Banning the Big Gulp Ban”. Reporters are scrambling to join the bandwagon of criticizing or praising this mayor’s audacious decision. There are many factors that influence opinions on the matter, but one of the most popular reasons is because of the high numbers of people that are obese and overweight.
Americans today are well-known for their eating habits. With all the options the food industry gives us it makes it hard to go to the grocery store and resist picking up that bag of barbeque-flavored chips or blueberry flavored candy. Due to these processed foods obesity is a growing epidemic in our country and who is to blame for it? In an article entitled “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko, Balko argues for less government intervention. Balko believes is it our responsibility to take care of ourselves and make it a priority. I do agree that the government should stay out of personal subjects and not everyone should be punished for other people 's actions. I believe that as Americans we should put more effort into our own diet, and make our health a
Is healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy food the problem Is the people tend to go towards the unhealthy it’s easier more convenient and processed food sometimes can be a bit cheaper. In a study that shows that eating healthy is it really that expensive maybe it takes a little more time to prep your meals but it’s worth it at the end.”swapping out some of these less expensive, and less healthy foods, for fresher and more nutritious ones added up to only about $1.50 more per day.”-Alexandra Sifferlin. This means that healthy food it’s not really that expensive it’s just people making wrong decisions in wrong choices of their eating habits. That means that poor eating habits are just excuses because in some cases it’s not a economic reason.