Who is to blame for obesity - Essay Example

Milena Mileva English W131 April 28th, Synthesis Essay Who is to blame for obesity? Introduction Obesity in America has become an issue that is of great concern due to the problems it creates both social, politically, health wise and politically. The main issue about obesity is who is to blame for the increasing numbers of obesity especially among young children. The essay looks at three outside sources that analyze the issue of obesity. The three sources are the article by Ellen Goodman “The Big Fat Mace”, TED Talks by James Oliver who is a renowned chef and the article by Sarah Mantel in the article Is Fast Food to Blame. This three outside sources will give an insight of where the issue lies and who can take the blame for the issue. The blame for such an issue lies in the foods fast companies that do not take into consideration the macronutrients that are required for foods.However, the essay will also look at the role the consumers play in exposing themselves to fast foods and may also take a blame for the issue of obesity. Analysis Ellen Goodman article “The Big Fat Mace” highlights the issue of obesity. This article outlines how the American food industry has led to huge numbers of people with obesity especially children who are considered as heavy consumers. It talks about how anyone can become obese from consuming any food if taken in huge amounts. Another outside source used was from TED Talks by James Oliver where she addressed the issue of obesity. The author is a renowned Chef and a food specialist. James is more concerned on how to solve the problem of eating unhealthy especially for kids in schools. James explains that the reason for diseases like coronary heart diseases is associated with consuming unhealthy foods. The talk addressed that corporations and the governments can address the issue of consuming unhealthy foods where they entice people especially young children to consume healthy foods like vegetables and food, which are low in sugar and fats. The third source used is by Sarah Muntel in the article “Is Fast Food to Blame” that also addresses the issue of obesity. The author is a dietician with IU Health Bariatric and Medical Weight Loss. The article amylases the environment people live in and the fast foods have a factor to play in cases of obesity. It analyzes the content in terms of nutrients the fast foods contain. The article has dwelt on the issue of fast food companies to see whether it is the leading cause for obesity cases in America. The obesity rate in America has increased, and that points a finger at fast food restaurants.Young people are at a high rate of facing obesity. When it comes to who is responsible for such cases, the blame can be directed to the consumers since they are the ones who consume such foods voluntarily [ChrisPomo 15]. Parents can also be blamed for the rise of obesity for their children because they teach their children to eat such foods and do not encourage them to exercise on a daily basis. Parents allow their children to consume unhealthy foods and watch television while playing computers endlessly. Parents play a huge role in obesity among their children since they are responsible for their lifestyles in their households. They have the main decisions on what to buy in terms of healthy or unhealthy foods. When parents choose to buy unhealthy foods, this has an effect on the child’s behavior in their future, as they tend to follow suit that their parents instilled in them. The blame game may also be directed to the government and fast food restaurants in the country. The government has initiatives for ensuring that people should eat sugar-free foods that taste terrible. Therefore, most manufacturers lead such foods with chemicals that improve the taste for such foods. The government has failed to pass laws that regulated the amount of additives to be used and has failed in promoting numerous campaigns all over the country on dangers. The other blame for obesity is fast foods restaurants in America that are so many. Fast food restaurants can be blamed like the McDonalds, Bugger King Whopper and Wendy Bacon Deluxe Double [Brody 32]. The foods sold in such restaurants are highly processed which are full of calories, sodium and fat. People can easily in a day take up 1,500 calories in one meal. Therefore eating at fast foods restaurants on a daily basis can lead to excessive calories that lead to weight gain and increase health issues. The fast foods restaurants are located almost everywhere where there is a variety of them form greasy burgers, crunchy tacos, sugary drinks, and fatty chips. These accessible foods appeal to so many Americans and find value in such cheap foods where they find it easier to buy than cook meals that are more expensive [ChrisPomo 44]. According to the three articles, they highlight the issue of obesity been caused by lack of nutrients in fast food restaurants and the environment people live-in which predisposes them to obesity.The issue of obesity has been brought about by eating unhealthy foods that should be addressed by advocating for better policies especially in schools. According to the articles, there is a need for finding solutions for the issue of obesity. The articles highlight the issue of solving the problem of obesity, and I concur that the issue of obesity should be solved by introducing healthy diets in schools that will create a better culture among young children. Fast food companies should also be at the forefront of ensuring that the foods they sell should ensure they have the nutrients required for a healthy living. The blame game should not be directed to one particular entity that food fast restaurants but should also be directed to consumers, parents, and school institutions. Consumers should be made aware of the dangers of living unhealthy by eating fast food frequently that are rich in fasts and sugar. The problem of obesity should be solved only by advocating for healthier lifestyles. The best promising solution for a solution for the health crises for obesity is ensuring that Americans schools and homestead have the required healthy foods in schools that promote a culture of eating health foods. This can be combined with healthy management of the solutions for exercises that can be introduced in schools that can help children with obesity to reduce weight before spirals to unhealthy disease [Stanish and Janelle 22]. Such solutions for eating healthy should be made into policies where schools should make it a requirement to have healthy food like fruits and vegetable sin their diets, P.E lessons should also be introduced where every student should participate. This will have an effect on the mindsets of consumers that such foods sold in fast food restaurant may predispose them to health issues especially heart problems and diabetes. Conclusion Obesity in America is increasing at a high rate where mostly children are affected. The blame game can be directed to consumers who consume such foods voluntarily. In addition, parents can be blamed for such high rate of obesity for their children where they are responsible for what they feed them at home. The government and fast food restaurants play the major role where the government fails to close down such companies that sell unhealthy products to the consumer.Fast food restaurants are located almost at every comer in America and sell very unhealthy food where busy Americans are forced to buy them since they are cheap and very addictive. The issue of obesity can be solved with policies being introduced in schools where they only feed students with healthy food and can instill a culture of being conscious of what they feed their bodies. A healthy lifestyle should be instilled in Americans by advocating through campaigns fast food restaurants to sell healthy conscious foods. References Stanish, Janelle R. "The Obesity Epidemic in America and the Responsibility of Big Food Manufacturers." Student Pulse 2.11 (2010). Brody, Jane E. "Risks for Youths Who Eat What They Watch." New York Times (2010).Gunning, ChrisPomo, and Julie M. AriannaFagan. "The Green Market." (2010). Read More