Third+Quarter+Benchmark

The fast food industry has been causing fights and arguements in America for decades. People believe that it is the restaurants' fault that people are getting obese from their foods. And other people, usually the fast food companies representatives, are saying that it is the customers' fault for their own obesity. In this essay, I am going to explain both sides of the arguements, and then give you my own opinion.

People, oftenly obese people, blame restaurants like McDonald's for the increasing rate of obesity. They say the advertising is constantly being thrown at them and it makes them eat their food. "Research shows that anually, young children are exposed to about thirty hours of food-related advertising. During Saturday cartoons, children see an average of one food ad every five minutes." (-Tara Parker-Pope) With this much advertising they see, it is near impossible to ignore and not want tpo eat the fatty foods they promote. A study showed that children who watched videos or commercial-free programming were less likely to be obese. This showed that commercials on the television truly are making a difference. But the companies only need to get you inside of their restaurants' one time, because the food is so tasty that you can become intensely addicted."A new study found that delicious, fatty foods are as addictive as cocaine and heroine." (-Corky Siemaszko) So the restaurants have made a scheme that will get you to initially try the food, like the food, continue eating the food, and not stopping until you die. So it is like the companies are forcing you to eat their food, and making you obese.

On the contrary, the restaurant companies believe it is the consumers' own fault of their obesity. The obese people are blaming them for shoving advertising in their faces every five seconds, but that is just good advertising strategies in the process. "The companies say their ads don't show overeating or making false health claims." (-David Barboza) The commercials show people being happy while eating the food, but never eating multiple servings of the food. Overeating and constantly eating fast food was the customers' decision, and should not be the companies' responsibility to regulate the customers. The companies aslo never meant for their food to be so concerning to people's health, nor so addicting; it was just how they made their food. The restaurants claim that they don't even want to become addicted nor obese. "Food companies say that the foods they advertise are meant to be part of a balanced diet and are meant to be occasional treats." (-David Barboza) They are expecting people to be responsible while consuming their food. So they believe that it is not their fault and it is all on the consumer.

I believe that the consumer us more at fault for their obesity. They are the subject to a lot of terribly unhealthy foods and a whole lot of advertising forit, but they need to know when they should or shouldn't eat. Fast food is only bad when it is not eaten in moderation. The workers are never going to cut someone off, so it is up to the consumer to know when to stop. "Adults are ultimately responsible for what they put in their mouths." (-Shannon Brownlee) The consumers can't clame the restaurants fot their misjudgements on what enough is. They can also not blame them for doing harm to them. If you shoot someone with a gun, you can't blame the person who sold it to you and actually have it be a legitimate excuse. They sell it to you, and what you do with it from then on is your own business and fault. So I think it is wrong for the people to blame the companies.

The blame for whho is at fault for the growing number of obese people in America is a huge arguement. People blame the companies for exploiting them, but the companies say it tis the person's responsiblity. We all just need to stop arguing and focus on the real problem, so America can be healthy again.