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Obesity: Nutrition and Fast Food

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Obesity: Nutrition and Fast Food
What does your diet look like? Have you been on the scale lately? Do you exercise often? Have you lost or gained weight? Answer these questions honestly. I expect that about sixty five percent of you have an unhealthy diet, forty percent don’t care to watch your weight, fifty percent don’t attempt to exercise and eighty percent have gained weight. I said all of that to ask you this. Are we taking it too far by blaming fast food restaurants for obesity? When is it individual responsibility and when is it appropriate to place blame? Can we really classify obesity as an epidemic? We speak of it as though it 's a new viral strain sweeping the country. Obesity in America has risen over 15 percent in the last 20 years, but it 's been on the rise many years prior. Let’s just focus on fast food restaurants for a moment. Fast foods can benefit you in any way that you need it to. It is affordable, fast, appetizing and sets you on full. Why do you think that fast food restaurants have a value menu? Hypothetically speaking, in some cases, many cannot afford a whole meal. This is why the value menu was developed in my opinion; therefore, you can get a cheaper meal that taste just as good and still get full off of it. Let’s not forget to include how fast you get your food that you cannot wait to eat! Have you ever noticed that there is nothing healthy on the value menu? Why do you think that is? I have realized that it is more expensive to eat healthy. No matter where you go, to the grocery store, a restaurant or wherever, the healthy food is going to be pricier. Do you think that if healthy foods decrease in price, obesity will as well? I think it would. It would benefit those who are trying to lose weight. It would not be so hard to buy food that would help you lose weight and maintain good health. When individuals are trying to lose weight, it becomes very challenging for them to reject foods that are not good for them especially when it is expensive. Most people relapse


Cited: Harrison, K. &Marske, A. (2005). Nutritional Content of Foods Advertised During the Television Programs Children Watch Most [Electronic version] Public Health, 955, 9. 1568-1574. Bass, (1995). University Recreation exercise. Washington State University (2012). Lifestyle Article. Diane Longstreet. PhD, RD (2010). Associated with Health and Obesity

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