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Fast Food and Obesity in America

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Fast Food and Obesity in America
For several years, people have attributed rising fast-food consumption as the major factor causing rapid increases of obesity in America. According to the article Fast Food: Is it the Enemy by Registered Dietitian Sarah Muntel (2012), “Since 1970, the amount of fast food restaurants in business doubled, which equates to about 300,000 establishments in the United States. Coincidentally, 33.8 percent of the U.S. population is affected by obesity and 19 percent of children and adolescents are also affected” (p. 1). In this research essay, I will attempt to establish a connection between fast-food and the growing rate of obesity in America. Fast-food is now served at restaurants and public establishments such as Zoos, Airports, and Stadiums, and in ways, it has infiltrated the entire nation by way of heavy advertising and economic expansion. Fundamental changes have caused gigantic fast-food corporations to make huge profits by serving artificially-rendered food at reduced prices, which in return has attracted Americans to high-calorie meals that fatten them up. The fast-food industry offers a quick and affordable alternative for starving Americans looking for a simple solution, and has since then developed into a landmark system for supply and demand.
Sarah Muntel also notes in her article Fast Food: Is it the Enemy (2012); “Most Americans are overscheduled and overcommitted and do not make time to plan or prepare meals. However, you can always find a fast food restaurant every time you turn the corner. Now you can choose from greasy burgers, crunchy tacos or a sugary drink at most intersections. Quick and easy foods are also cheap, which appeals to so many individuals. You can order dollar cheeseburgers, dollar sodas and supersize items for just pennies. People see a value in cheap food and get it with fast food and claim it is cheaper to eat at a restaurant than prepare a meal at home” (p. 34). Fast food has provided people with a quick and efficient way to fill


References: Sarah Muntel, R.D. (2012). Obesity Action Coalition. Fast Food is it the Enemy. P 1-34 Retrieved from http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/nutrition/fast-food-is-it-the-enemy Ananya Mandal, M.D. (2014). News Medical. Obesity and Fast Food. P. 1. Retrieved from http://www.news-medical.net/health/Obesity-and-Fast-Food.aspx Eric Schlosser, (2001), Fast Food and Obesity, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of all the All-American Meals 240-243 Super Size Me (directed by Morgan Spurlock) What Causes Overweight and Obesity? Overweight and Obesity Clinical Trials (2012, July 12). Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/causes.html Shimon-Haber, Shimon Haber LLC (2014). Movie Synopsis: Super Size Me. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/synopsis?ref_=tt_stry_pl
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