Obesity+in+America+Benchmark+Essay



Obesity, a hot topic that is sweeping the nation, and making headlines of newspaper articles, blogs, magazines, and even creating a debating discussion among the public. From the early ages of life, to the teenage years, people of all ages argue whether it’s the schools, fast food businesses, media, or parents fault that are targeting these children to become obese. Obesity is an important matter because it can create health problems, economic disasters, and even death. Whose fault is it really?

Many fingers point to the parents, blaming them for feeding their child fattening unhealthy food, moreover failing to teach them how to be healthy and smart about making choices on what will shape their body now and in the future. Teens and children are greatly influenced by what their parents are consuming before their eyes. Parents who drink soda everyday give their children a 40% more chance of drinking these sugary beverages as well. While almost half of adolescent’s parents who drink soda every day, typically eat fast food once a day, and will pass it down to the child. On the other hand healthy parents who eat five servings of fruits and vegetables on average will help lead their kids to be the same as they grow older. A quote from the article, “New factor in teen obesity: parents” states, “the research shows us that one of the keys to solving the teen obesity crisis starts with parents we must also improve the abysmal food environments in many low- income communities.” These whimsical words by Robert K. Ross are extremely important because other factors do take part in this epidemic other than the adults.

How about the schools? or availability of nutrition facts offered to the public? Multiple legislators are pushing towards banning all fast food items out of school cafeterias and vending machines.While the school districts in New York and Los Angeleshave both denied access of fast food to students on campus, others have contracts and even special days reserved for fast food. In Vancouver, Washington, at the Skinner Montessori School, they have, "McDonalds Wednesday' and 'KFC Fridays'. Tracy Johnson replies, "It's awesome. they Love It." Why do they like it? they simply favor it because it tastes good. If they selling it at schools, then children may get the idea that it is healthy and nutritious. Schools are sending children the wrong message. Another reason why kids are comprehending the wrong message is because they don't see the nutrition facts. they are oblivious to what they are feeding theit stomachs. Schools should be warning them about these things, not just serving these greasy packed foods with no backround information.

our technology and media has progressed so far in the past few years, however this could be for the better or worse of our society. McDonals is one of the most well known fast food restaurants in this day and age. The golden arches have plastered its brand name on Barbie dolls, video games, book jackets, as well as theme parks. No matter where you go, you can always find one of the 13,602 services near.Mcdonals is one of the reasons why Mickey D's is so popular due to commercials and advertisements. Mcdonals is not just the only ones using tje media to enhance their sells. Other fattening calorie full foods are also sky rocketting. For instance, Disney collaborated with Kelloggs and introduced a chocolatey cereal by the name of 'Mud and Bugs' while commercial exihibits that if you consume go-gurt, the new on-the-go yogurt will let you skateboard and dance and walls. A little girl commented on the commercials about Captain Crunch. "On the commercial, there's a captain that goes on a ubmarine and there's an octopus, and three kids. And then the girl says,"just taste this pirate.'and the pirate says, 'AYYYY YUMMY!'". These string of words back up the statement that advertisements do take a toll on children and their opinion about foods.

In conclusion, it is not just one persons fault. It is all of them put together. With a little help, and one step away at a time, this world wide issue can be cured. It may not be easy, but it can be done.