Fast Food and Obesity: The Connection (?)

Zac Weathers

Fast Food and Obesity: The Connection (?)


 Everywhere you look across the U.S. I guarantee  you will find a growing number of fat people. I've eaten fast food avidly all my life and thankfully I've stayed fit. Someday this indulgence in unhealthy fast food may catch up to me. However for many Americans this glutinous lust has not only caught up to them, but won the race. According to the Surgeon General 1 and 8 American deaths are caused by obesity related illness. This startling figure lead me to the question; Why are Americans getting fat and dying like never before? I believe the fast food industry plays a crucial role in the United State's obesity epidemic.

The United States average Body Mass Index has been increasing steadily since the early 1900’s just as the average lifespan has increased. Throughout history the wealthy have generally been plump due to their lavish living standards. But in today’s culture "skinny" is in, so the growing number of obese Americans should seem odd. A major problem throughout history has been people dieing of being malnourished. In modern America the tables have turned, now we die from too much food! American society has progressed in such away that most of the citizens can live lavish lifestyles similar to wealthy ancients, but this lifestyle flourishes throughout the general population.

This increase in Body Mass Index is the result of an evolution of American society. We are becoming bigger simply because our calorie intake is increasing. In her obesity viewpoints article Laura K. Egendorf states that “on average, Americans are eating about 200 calories more each day than they did in the 1970’s”. This leads to the mystery of were these calories are coming from. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals “Americans are not eating bigger breakfasts, lunches, or dinners- but they are noshing and nibbling like never before”.  We have become a snacking nation, adding countless empty calories into our diets.

America’s relative food costs have steadily decreased from the early 1920’s. The USDA’s Economic Research Service states that “In 1929, families spent 23.5 percent of their income on food. In 1961, they spent 17 percent. By 2001, American families could spend just 10 percent of their income on food.” With the American lifestyle, food has become a secondary thought. It has become so readily available, we have steadily increased the amount we consume through snacking and the abundance of foods, healthy and unhealthy. Obviously those who live a sedentary lifestyle with an abundance of calories and food choices are more than likely to become obese.

While the typical American lifestyle  may seem like it is setting people up to become obese, many argue that fast food corporations are a major contributing factor in the obesity epidemic. Multiple studies have been done in the attempt to fully link fast food consumption to increasing obesity risk. One major linking factor is the fact that people living in a close proximity to fast food restaurants are at risk for increased weight gain. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research surveyed ninth graders to find those “whose schools are within a block of a fast-food outlet are more likely to be obese than students whose schools are a quarter of a mile or more away.” Other surveys and statistics have been compiled all linking living in a close proximity to a fast food facility with higher obesity and weight gain statistics. This shows that when highly convenient and readily available fast food consumption increases obesity risk. Through clever advertising campaigns fast food has successfully been integrated and accepted into American culture and society. Most Americans seem to ignore the fact that fast food consumption can significantly increase the risk of becoming overweight or obese.



Fast Food corporations are pulling off one big cover-up. Behind the enticing masks of corporate branding and genius advertisement the fast food corporations have successfully downplayed the harmful/unhealthy aspects of their products. They accomplish these diversions by advertising seemingly healthier options like salads, toys/endorsements/corporate branding to attract children, sex to entice adults, and multiple other methods to draw away from the fact that fast food products are unhealthy.

When will America wake up? When will we realize we're being duped? When will we realize that fast food does make you fat?

The fact of the matter is that Americans are becoming fatter. With an increase in calorie intake, abundance of unhealthy and processed food, and increasing amount of people living sedentary lifestyles the epidemic is growing. 30.6 percent of the general American populace is considered obese and approximately 50 percent of American is over the healthy weight limit (AKA overweight). While there are multiple factors that can possibly contribute to obesity risk, one thing is certain. America is facing a growing epidemic of unhealthiness.

Bibliography

                             

                              Egendorf, Laura K. “Fast Food Should Not Be Blamed for Obesity.” Opposing Viewpoints

                                          Resource Center February 2005. February 2010

                             

                              Decision News Media “Fast food consumption increases obesity risk.”        Foodnavigator.com May 2004.  February 2010

                              Rabin, Roni Caryn. “Proximity to Fast Food a Factor in Student Obesity”  NY Times             March 2009. February 2010