Childhood obesity is a growing pandemic not only in the United States, but the world in total. The documentary “Fed Up” gives insight into possible causes of this, the main one being that large food companies play a major role. Most large food companies such as Kraft and Coca Cola have done much in this growing problem, and there currently is a big debate about this. There is a question about how much the food industry impacts health, and how much is done to combat this problem. In addition, the financial aspects of the industry leave much to be desired. The “addictive” properties of sugar are also a concerning issue to pay attention to.
Firstly, processed food has had a rough history with health. Many will agree that childhood obesity is
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When their products are scrutinized, they, of course, go to large lengths to defend it. Many doctors who have published studies “disproving” the link between sugar and obesity have taken vast amounts of money from large processed food companies. This obviously brings in the question of special interests to the table. Moreover, the food industry also has interesting ads and ways of selling. For example, lots of processed food can be found at checkouts almost everywhere; from gas stations to clothing stores. The suspicious thing is that they are at eye level for children, who are less likely to know or care about nutrition. There also was an experiment done where children watched tv while eating goldfish crackers. When the ads in the show were about food, children tended to eat about 75% more than children who watched the program without food ads. Several large processed foods companies also use marketing ploys such as beloved cartoon characters or claiming that their food is “easy and cheap”. In fact, schools have often received "partnerships" with fast food companies. But soon the question arises “Why don’t schools do anything to stop childhood obesity before it stops?”. This is because public schools are government funded, and the cheapest options are partnering up with large processed food companies. The “nutritional value” of these foods have been twisted to fit the “health …show more content…
But many also have wondered about the addictive properties of sugar. An early advertisement for formula (for babies), mentions that it contains a type of sugar, which the documentary notices, is in some ways addictive. The documentary remarks that this “gets them hooked early on”, which is concerning. To target the youngest of consumers with an addictive substance keeps them as customers, but also creates an early obesity rate. One may soon wonder why this sugar is addictive. Sugar has been known to release dopamine when consumed, and dopamine is often called the “happy hormone”. Dopamine is released in the brain when also consuming things such as heroin and cocaine. What troubles many is an experiment done with mice in a lab. 43 cocaine-addicted mice were given a bit of sugar once. Afterwards, when given the choice of either cocaine water or sugar water, 40 out of 43 chose sugar water. This shows the addictive properties of sugar. When giving this to a child at a young age, they are more likely to keep on consuming this later in life and they also therefore have a risk of losing their self control and also becoming obese at a young age. The vast marketing of sugar therefore must play a role in rising rates of childhood
In the article, Daniel Weintraub argues that parents are to blame for kids being obese, not food companies. “Parents, not state government, are in the best position to fight the epidemic of overweight children in our schools.” I agree with this claim because he gives good evidence and facts. The article is well written and includes good supporting details which helps the author prove his point. Even though it may have some weak points and some things aren’t explained, it’s very convincing and credible.
To further highlight this problem Critser explains that, “Beyond the immediate contribution of more calories to the diet, the very nature of modern snacking may be pushing children toward obesity” (Critser pg.41). The companies that had the largest stake in this market ran extensive ad campaigns directed at children, though the products that they produced were anything but conducive to healthy childhood growth and development. To compound this problem even further was the fact that already underfunded schools were jumping at the opportunity to earn substantial amounts of money in partnering with these corporations. To go into further detail it’s explained that, “For agreeing
In David Freedman’s essay How Junk food Can End Obesity, Freedman makes the claim to policy arguing that instead of demonizing processed foods, Americans should instead support the idea and production of healthier processed and junk foods. He calls on the public to recognize that while many products on the market these days are labeled as “wholesome” and “healthy”, consumers should learn to become aware of the fat and calorie content in these products because many times they have the same- if not more- fat and calorie contents as that of a typical Big Mac or Whopper. In his essay, Freedman primarily places blame on the media and the wholesome food movement for the condemnation of the fast and processed food industries saying, “An enormous amount of media space has been dedicated to promoting the notion that all processed food, and only processed food, us making us sickly and overweight” (Freedman), he further expresses that this portrayal of the
Nicholas Confessore, the author of ”How School Lunch Became the Latest Political Battleground”, displays the challenges of transitioning from the old rules to the new rules as part of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign. It is clear to all parties that childhood obesity is rising at a dangerous rate in America and school lunches are believed to be the necessary first change. Unfortunately, the multiple different parties that are involved in making the changes do not see eye-to-eye. The School Nutrition Association is one of the groups pushing back against the new government policies. Since the SNA is comprised mostly of lunch ladies, they believe the current meals are the healthiest meal most students receive in a given day.
Author’s Purpose Essay In the non-fiction book, Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos the author's main purpose is to inform the reader. Throughout the book, the author’s view stays mainly objective, while informing the reader of the history of making, distributing, and consuming sugar. They use facts and quotes from reliable sources and people to support their information and inform the reader on how much sugar, really did, change the world.
His delivered with such a persuasion that caused me to understand, in a deeper sense, the devastation and deaths that caused by not having a healthy food diet. Jamie delivered his presentation with power and conviction as he acknowledges that he was not an American citizen; but he loved this nation and like the audience, he had children that should know the facts about food choices and how it affects longevity. He had statistic that identified the ranking of diseases that cause health problems and death due to unhealthy eating. Also, he displayed individuals who were obsessed and showed the type food they ate and also were feeding their family. Jamie persuaded and shared his vision by giving real time example of processes that can be used to obtain funds for education students in the school system; he stated that an additional $6000 is all that is required to support school programs to teach students healthy eating habits.
In order to prevent the negative effects that come with sugar, people need to slow down on consuming it so
In a result of this many people, health officials, and parents are complaining because there has been an increase of child obesity. Children grow up learning healthy eating habits and how to make smart food choices which will continue to follow them as they get older. On the other hand, children growing up with
The addictive food that is sold by supermarkets is made to appeal to the consumers’ taste and make them addicted to it. In Michael Moss’ “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food,” he mentions that the potato chip is a snack that provides a feeling of pleasure as well as a rewarding sensation in the brain through its coating of salt and fat (490). Small details food companies put in the food make a difference in the taste, which tends to attract more consumers without them aware of how they are being addicted to the food. In food companies’ perspective, the engineering of food to add more flavor and attract more consumers has no issue since it is how companies make their profits. Stephen Sanger, head of General Mills and the Yoplait brand, was able to produce $500 million in revenue from a new dessert that originated from the yogurt since it maintains a nutritive image with consumers (Moss 475-476).
Americans today are well-known for their eating habits. With all the options the food industry gives us it makes it hard to go to the grocery store and resist picking up that bag of barbeque-flavored chips or blueberry flavored candy. Due to these processed foods obesity is a growing epidemic in our country and who is to blame for it? In an article entitled “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko, Balko argues for less government intervention. Balko believes is it our responsibility to take care of ourselves and make it a priority.
The topic of chocolate milk can be thought of in many different ways. But a very significant topic is brought up various times, including student debates. Should chocolate milk be served in schools? I believe that chocolate milk should be served in schools. This is because chocolate milk helps keep bodies stay healthy, and it helps children maintain a beneficial diet, since it is just as good as white milk.
Action must be taken by the food industry in order to start eliminating the problems that are causing the society to deteriorate. There are countless health issues within America that continue to grow due to the fact that the food industry is not regulating the food being provided and sole enough. Obesity and being overweight are one of the many social issues that can be linked back to the food industry. While it is true that there are cases of obesity and being overweight due to lack of exercise or genetics, it is primarily the food that cause people to gain excess weight. So many foods nowadays contain surplus amounts of calories, fats, and sugar which have a direct correlation to weight gain.
Concerns have been voiced that food advertisements are partly to blame for children being overweight and
Most commercials advertise addictive items like toy more big food group like mega burger. Or adding a toy alongside with unhealthy food damage people’s life like giving diabetes.doing this helps the get people to buy their products without telling the truth, but the nuggets or something that’s very unhealthy like that by using lie like a food is made of 100p meat to cover people and the kids they have like over time they beg and beg until they get then they get addicted to the food and always ask for it. In our book it talks about how people like to ask 9 times before quitting by ask for fast food or a new game over time builds an addiction and keep asking and never stop until they get what they want. So if you listen and still say no it won’t stop till it happens like a tornado won’t stop till it ends its path of terror and this will happen until you give in you one day you have
Both food or drug addiction can be defined as disorders in which a specific type of reward becomes exaggerated at the expense of other rewards. Drugs of abuse tap into the neuronal mechanism that modulates