Running head: FAST FOOD: ARE WE TAKING IT TOO FAR 1 

Fast Food: 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?

Blodiemere M. Parole

XXX State University

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Abstract

Fast food chain has grown rapidly popular and seems to be a go to place for people of all ages in

the US. This paper explores the issue on whom to blame about the increased rate of obesity in

the US, and how it is influenced or influencing the rapid growth of fast food chain. To

accomplish this, it is necessary to investigate and examine the eating habits of Americans. This is

necessary because according to World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide obesity has more

than doubled since 1980 and more than 1.9 billion adults in 2014 were overweight. There seems

to be a direct correlation between the increase of fast food chain and the increasing number of

overweight Americans. This paper examines all the data that are collected to fully understand the

key factors that affect the obesity problems that we are facing.

Keywords: fast food chain, socio-economic factors

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Fast Food: 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?

Most people almost always blame obesity on fast food chains entirely. On the other hand,

overweight issue is brought through by a number of factors – fewer to no exercise, lifestyle

change, food in-take, advertising and marketing strategies, and misinformation.

The basic truth lies on the fact that majority of Americans are sedentary; over one-half of

American adults do not meet the recommended levels of moderate and physical activities, and

one-quarter do not engage in leisure time physical activities (Rosenheck et al., 2008). On top of

that, technological advancement has created more time-saving and labor-saving solutions which

in turn consequently resulted in reduced general energy costs every day.

The question of who the culprit is on weight problem is important in dealing with the

issue. As an example, several research has demonstrated that individuals that eat from fast food

are more susceptible to be obese than those who do not. However, although the burger in a fast

food restaurant may be harmful to consumer’s health, the same effect can also be seen on the

fatty burgers that we buy on our local grocery stores.

A recent review of literature on the relationship between the fast food restaurants and

obesity revealed findings from the observational studies are unable to demonstrate a causal link

between fast food consumption and obesity or weight gain (Rosenheck, 2008). Economic studies
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have also placed emphasis on the boosts in caloric usage as one principal determinant of obesity

which is a trend consistent with increased availability of the fast food.

Another possible contributor to increase in obesity case is the rise of popularity of passive

entertainment through television. Increase availability of fast foods and advertisements can

contribute to obesity by making eating foods (even unhealthy foods) more attractive (Kinsey et

al., 1994).

However, even around 1930’s; the epidemic of obesity is already wide-spread. This is

almost two decades earlier than the first McDonald’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken’s franchise.

Additionally, the year 1930’s is the depth of the “Great Depression”, where food is not abundant,

and un-employment rate is high (Taubes et al., 2011). Base on this, apparently, fast food chain is

not solely to be blame nor solely the life-style of the Americans.

Causes of obesity can be categorized into two perspectives: economic and non-economic.

Friedman et al. (2000) talking from the non-economic perspective stated that obesity results from

the lack of discipline on the affected consumer’s part; while from an economic perspective states

that there are three correlating factors that contributes to the rising trend in obesity which are:

socio economic, geographical and individual attitude or perception on feeding.

Consumer’s Role vs. Fast Food Restaurant

There are four major factors that affect consumer’s decision when buying a product

namely: taste, value, convenience, and quality. Although the consumers indicate healthy eating,
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proper and balanced nutrition are important to them, surveys and sales have shown that

consumers are more interested in taste, availability, and price.

Bottom line, food companies are interested in selling more foods, which is their

job. The key player in solving the obesity epidemic is the consumer itself due to the fact that

each individual can make their own choices about their lifestyle and food preferences. But to be

able to come up with a wise and educated decision, one must be equipped with the right

information pertaining to obesity. There is need for adequate and concise information to get to

the consumer from a source they have no reason to doubt. Proper authorities should help in

informing its citizen the need to have a healthy diet and nutritious meal every time.

Conclusion

Overall, advertised bad eating habits, fast food chains, and misinformation play a huge

role on obesity epidemic, but we cannot singularly put the blame on just one of them. Consumers

are the most important factor in providing a lasting solution to this epidemic. There are a lot of

factors that contribute to such and by educating consumers about the proper diet and how to have

a healthy living; this will drastically reduce the number of cases of obesity.
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References

Friedman, J.M. (2000). Obesity in the new millennium, Macmillan magazines Ltd.,

Vol.404, pp 632-634.

Kinsey JD. Food and families' socioeconomic status. JNutr. 1994;124:1878S-1 885S.

Rosenheck, R. (2008), Fast Food Consumption and increased caloric intake:

A systematic review of a trajectory towards weight gain and obesity risk,

Obesity Reviews, 2008, pp.1-13.

Taubes, G. (2011), Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It, 2011: eISBN: 978-0-307-59551-5

World Health Organization (Jan 2015). Obesity and overweight.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/