Response to "Don't Blame the Eater"
Tori Howdyshell
February 15, 2013 Assignment 1
In the essay, “Don’t Blame the Eater”, David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of Men’s Health magazine, discusses the recent lawsuits against fast-food chains. He does not deny that there should be a sense of personal responsibility among the public, but has sympathy for the kid consumers because he used to be one. Zinczenko argues that due to the lack of nutritional facts and health warnings, it’s not so ridiculous to blame the fast-food industry for obesity problems. My feelings on Zinczenko’s article are mixed. I agree with his arguments that consumers are oblivious to the true horrors of the impact of a fast-food diet, but I do not agree that they should go so far as to sue the fast-food industry. There needs to be a greater sense of personal responsibility. Zinczenko begins his argument by talking about how he was a latchkey kid who became obese, but grew up and eventually learned to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He argues that going out to eat was and is the easiest, most affordable choice. I agree that fast food is the easiest option because my own experience confirms it. Living away from home has really put things in perspective. I never realized how much it costs and how much effort it takes to go to the grocery store and then cook for yourself; it’s so much easier just to eat out. In “Remarks to the NAACP” Michelle Obama (2010) states, “…a lot of people today are living in communities without a single grocery store” (p. 423) this proves that there are challenges in trying to provide the healthiest food choices for one’s family, and that it is more convenient to eat out. Zinczenko mentions that there are not any alternatives for fast food. He states that it is much easier to just stop and pick up fast-food that is conveniently located in almost every city, rather than finding a more nutritious alternative. I agree with Zinczenko, everywhere you go there’s a fast-food restaurant close by. Once
February 15, 2013 Assignment 1
In the essay, “Don’t Blame the Eater”, David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of Men’s Health magazine, discusses the recent lawsuits against fast-food chains. He does not deny that there should be a sense of personal responsibility among the public, but has sympathy for the kid consumers because he used to be one. Zinczenko argues that due to the lack of nutritional facts and health warnings, it’s not so ridiculous to blame the fast-food industry for obesity problems. My feelings on Zinczenko’s article are mixed. I agree with his arguments that consumers are oblivious to the true horrors of the impact of a fast-food diet, but I do not agree that they should go so far as to sue the fast-food industry. There needs to be a greater sense of personal responsibility. Zinczenko begins his argument by talking about how he was a latchkey kid who became obese, but grew up and eventually learned to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He argues that going out to eat was and is the easiest, most affordable choice. I agree that fast food is the easiest option because my own experience confirms it. Living away from home has really put things in perspective. I never realized how much it costs and how much effort it takes to go to the grocery store and then cook for yourself; it’s so much easier just to eat out. In “Remarks to the NAACP” Michelle Obama (2010) states, “…a lot of people today are living in communities without a single grocery store” (p. 423) this proves that there are challenges in trying to provide the healthiest food choices for one’s family, and that it is more convenient to eat out. Zinczenko mentions that there are not any alternatives for fast food. He states that it is much easier to just stop and pick up fast-food that is conveniently located in almost every city, rather than finding a more nutritious alternative. I agree with Zinczenko, everywhere you go there’s a fast-food restaurant close by. Once