“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 …show more content…
Zinczenko has a compelling and believable claim because his points are well-supported and based on facts from sources like National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and he does not gloss over or ignore the opposition to his opinion, like the fact that people also have a responsibility for their own health. Moreover, the topic for which he argues affects everyone, creating higher health care costs and unhealthy citizens at an ever-increasing rate. Zinczenko’s argument is agreeable because he provides statistical evidence and facts as proof for the fast-food industry’s transgressions. For example, he states, “Before 1994, diabetes in children was generally caused by a genetic disorder—only about 5 percent of childhood cases were obesity-related, or Type 2, …show more content…
He does not ignore the opposing views one might take to his claim, but instead acknowledges them and provides a counter for why he believes his case is worth considering. Furthermore, he declares that this topic concerns everyone, as there is proof that there is a correlation between rising health care costs and the fast-food market. These conclusions, which Zinczenko discusses in his essay, add weight to the argument that checks need to be put in place on the fast-food industry in terms of marketing and advertising to make sure that customers know what they are consuming and to lower health care costs and increase the general health of society. Some action must be taken against the fast-food industries, such as limiting their advertising or enforcing rules on more easily accessible and conspicuous nutrition facts on the products consumers are purchasing, as has been done since the time of this
In the article "Don’t blame the eater" written by Zinczenko, he argues that fast food is the main reason why so many teenagers are suffering from obesity in United States. He explains that many companies will use advertisements to deceive customers. For example, a company’s website offers a chicken salad with less than four hundred calories per serving; however, they don’t label everything that the salad has In the first label. They will use separate labels in the products that the salad has on it, so the costumer gets confused and thinks that he is actually eating a four hundred calories salad that is "healthy". However, he is actually eating a seven or more hundred calories meal.
In “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko, kids are suing McDonald’s for making America fat. Zinczenko asks, “Whatever happened to personal responsibility.” At the same time he sympathizes with people who do eat fast food because he used to do the same thing, making him obese. He fortunately realized how unhealthy fast food is and the toll it takes on the body. Conventional wisdom is that we should not eat at a fast food restaurant twice a day.
"Don't Blame The Eater" article written in 2003 by David Zinczenko. A former chief editor of Men Health magazine. Discusses the controversial issue of fast food consumerism across the United States. Focusing mainly on the impact that it has on the youth in the US. Being the increase of both obesity and diabetes case to rose drastically in the last 10 years.
In the article "Don't Blame the Eater" informs the parents and any fast-food consumers on the dangerous health effects fast-food can cause. Child obesity and type 2 diabetes have increased within the country, a possible factor for this kind of sickness can be tracked to fast-food, David Zinczenko attentively constructs his argument against teenage or child obesity and properly builds support for his position. His argument was achieved by his usage of humor credibility, and forced teaming. Together, these devices complete Zinczeko's mission while he remains considerate of the opposing side. Instead of opening his introduction with a tedious writing based on his future discussion points, he decides to craft his way into introducing his article with a bit of humor.
A Rhetorical Analysis of “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko Sara, a single mother of two kids, is driving home from a grueling day of work. She’s worked overtime all week and has some tightness in her back. Upon looking at the clock on the dashboard of her 1996 Volkswagen, she realizes that it is way too late to go home and cook a nice dinner for her two children. She turns into the nearest McDonalds, orders some chicken nuggets, and brings dinner home. Can you blame a mother who just wanted her kids to eat?
The labels we see in our foods at grocery stores are not honest. The big companies put information that will make customers buy their product. In the essay “Don’t Blame the Eater”, written by David Zinczenko focuses on how bad customers are being informed about the food they consume. Zinczenko states “They would do well to protect themselves, and their customers, by providing the nutrition information people need to make informed choices about their products. Without such warnings we’ll see more sick, obese children and more angry, litigious parents,” (464).
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
Zinczenko’s Rhetorical Precis In his essay “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko sympathizes for port fast-food patron, like himself ages ago, he agrees that food industry should take some responsibility for obesity. He supports his claim by warning consumers about the dangers of fast food,as it play a factor in obesity. Within his argument, he questions other counter arguments and uses his narrative tone to show consumers that the food industry is necessarily at fault. Zincenko believes the prevalence of fast food and the lack of healthier food alternatives is causing obesity in America.
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).
“Don’t Blame the Eater”, composed by David Zinczenko, discusses fast food being one of the main causes for kid's obesity. This article occurred in connection to two children documenting a claim against McDonald's for making them fat. In his article Zinczenko states, “I tend to sympathize with these portly, fast-food patrons, though. Maybe that’s because I use to be one of them''. That is precisely what he is doing, feeling for these children.
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.
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.
Don’t Blame the Eater: Rebuttal In his article "Don 't Blame the Eater", David Zinczenko discusses that obesity is a grave health issue I the United States of America. He argues that almost all of the kids who eats at fast food joints are more likely to become obese. He then goes on to inform his readers that during his teenage years, he, like many other American kids, was surviving on fast-food due to it accessibility and affordability.
While researching information on this project, the information I found included many things the fast food industry keeps from us that we often do even think about. For example, a food product can be labeled as “sugar free” but can be substituted with other things such as, agave which is often worse due to its high concentration in fructose syrup. Another example would be that, Gerber uses fruit pictures to claim its Gerber’s are made from real fruit when in reality they are filled with corn syrup, syrup and grape juice concentrate. These are known as “calorie distracters” and work really well on people who refuse to give up eating fast food. Whether they know that fast and processed foods are unhealthy or not, they are satisfied by knowing that a label says “sugar free” and therefore it is okay for them to consume it.
In a 1988 act, cigarette companies were required to put warning labels on their products. This proves that putting warning labels on fast food is certainly possible, the same needs to be done to all fast-foods so that all customers will be aware of the hazards of fast-food. Fast food warning labels will make it more convenient to know about your food; it will benefit companies; and finally, it will help reduce obesity, obesity-related illnesses, and medical costs. In Conclusion, it’s time for warning labels to be put on fast food