Fast Food, Slow Americans
Jeffery Scott
Riley ENG
July 18, 2013
Fast foods, Slow Americans Today fast food restaurants appear in large quantities all over the United States. From McDonalds to Burger King to Taco Bell, these companies offer a fast meal at a cheap price. Unfortunately, these meals are incredibly unhealthy and contain ingredients that are damaging people’s health and cause obesity. This paper will discuss one main cause of the rapid growth of this industry and the effect it is has on its consumers.
Imagine a single mother on her way home from a 12 hour day at work; exhausted, stressed, and hungry. As she makes her way through rush hour traffic she passed countless fast food chains each one offering a fast, convenient, and cheap meal. The idea of slaving over a hot stove just haunts her, so she caves in. Within 5 minutes supper is ready and she can spend the rest of the night relaxing. Convenience is the main cause of the rise in fast food popularity among Americans. In a recent study held by Web MD, 600 adults and teens in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area were asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with 11 statements about why they like fast food. An astounding 92.3% agreed that they ate fast food because it is quick. The "I'm too busy to cook" excuse is used by everyone from upper class professionals to lower class laborers. In fact “Most obese adults are not low income” according to National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control after looking at data on American size between 2005 -2008. The study showed that of the whopping 72 and a half million adults who are obese, 41 percent (about 30 million) make at least $35,000 a year – well above the poverty line. America has become a fast paced and impatient nation so this quick access appeals to everyone despite age or income. The effects of this convenient food can be seen every day just by going out into the public and observing people. According to Sarah Muntel of the OAC (Obesity Action
Riley ENG
July 18, 2013
Fast foods, Slow Americans Today fast food restaurants appear in large quantities all over the United States. From McDonalds to Burger King to Taco Bell, these companies offer a fast meal at a cheap price. Unfortunately, these meals are incredibly unhealthy and contain ingredients that are damaging people’s health and cause obesity. This paper will discuss one main cause of the rapid growth of this industry and the effect it is has on its consumers.
Imagine a single mother on her way home from a 12 hour day at work; exhausted, stressed, and hungry. As she makes her way through rush hour traffic she passed countless fast food chains each one offering a fast, convenient, and cheap meal. The idea of slaving over a hot stove just haunts her, so she caves in. Within 5 minutes supper is ready and she can spend the rest of the night relaxing. Convenience is the main cause of the rise in fast food popularity among Americans. In a recent study held by Web MD, 600 adults and teens in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area were asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with 11 statements about why they like fast food. An astounding 92.3% agreed that they ate fast food because it is quick. The "I'm too busy to cook" excuse is used by everyone from upper class professionals to lower class laborers. In fact “Most obese adults are not low income” according to National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control after looking at data on American size between 2005 -2008. The study showed that of the whopping 72 and a half million adults who are obese, 41 percent (about 30 million) make at least $35,000 a year – well above the poverty line. America has become a fast paced and impatient nation so this quick access appeals to everyone despite age or income. The effects of this convenient food can be seen every day just by going out into the public and observing people. According to Sarah Muntel of the OAC (Obesity Action