Fast Food: the Growing Problem in America
That Keeps Kids Growing
Childhood obesity, often attributed to
fast food consumption, marketing, and parents’ negative influence, is a problem
throughout the United States. In fact, it often causes life-threatening health
conditions and decreases children’s self-esteem. Because children are the
future of the United States, our top priority should be to change the increasing
rate of obesity. Solutions to the
problem, in which parents should enforce, include limiting the visits to fast
food restaurants, consuming healthier foods, and increasing the amount of
exercise. If these steps are taken, we are notably closer to saving this
generation of kids from such a widespread disease.
Today, childhood obesity is a disease
that plagues children all over the United States. Children and adolescents
become more and more vulnerable to obesity over the years because our major
industrialized country contains thousands of fast food restaurants and
discouraging parents. In Fast Food Nation,
Eric Schlosser identifies that the level of obesity is the highest in the U.S.
than any other nation in the world, 25 percent of which are children. Out of
the millions of people who live in the United States, almost half of all
children are obese. The epidemic continues to escalate, and if childhood
obesity is not dealt with, the rate will rise to an even greater number. The
quarter of children who are obese signifies why childhood obesity should be
such a top priority to all Americans. Even though childhood obesity is
unfortunately common, many children are also extremely overweight and on the
verge of being obese. “31.8 percent of children and adolescents in the U.S. are
overweight” (Food Research and Action Center). Overweight children are at risk
of becoming obese. Taking action against obesity will suppress current cases,
as well as prevent more susceptible, overweight children from becoming obese. Because
the childhood obesity rate continues to grow, the issue is far more serious
than most think, which is why we need to take action.
Obese children are at a very high risk
for serious health problems. One of the most common is diabetes. Although
diabetes can be genetically inherited, being overweight is a major cause. In
fact, “type two diabetes is no longer rare in pediatric practice” (Marion
Nestle). Being overweight makes it harder for the body to process insulin, which
is a key part in how the body functions. Because of their weight, obese
children may have low blood sugar, which has some serious effects on their
body’s metabolism. In addition, many obese children suffer from critical heart
conditions. Obese children and adolescents ages six to ten suffer from severe
heart problems that now cause many to die from heart attacks (Eric Schlosser).
Childhood obesity has changed the association of heart attacks with older
adults, to even young children. When it seems that death is a rarity, the
thought that children will outlive their parents is becoming more and more
improbable as the years go by and the childhood obesity rate rises. According
to a study in 2005, “children’s lives are cut two to five years shorter than their
parents as a result of obesity” (Nanci Hellmich). All sorts of health problems are a risk to
overweight kids, and these problems significantly decrease their life
expectancy.
One may think that the only negative
effect of childhood obesity is that it is unhealthy. However, this assumption
is wrong. Childhood obesity does not only physically affect kids, but it also
socially and emotionally affects them. Often, children endure criticism for
their weight. Julie Lumeng conducted a study of over 800 students all born in
1991 across the nation; the results showed that “kids who were obese were 65
percent more likely to be bullied than their peers of normal weight” (Anne
Harding). Bullying adds to the negative
effects of childhood obesity. Criticism
towards these vulnerable kids often invokes many feelings of sadness. One
doctor, Sylvia Rimm, put it perfectly when she said, “Kids who considered
themselves overweight not only were bullied, but…indicated more loneliness, saw
themselves as troublemakers, and saw themselves as sad, fearful, and wimpy” (Anne
Harding). As a result of bullying, obese children often feel depressed and have
very low self-esteem. Children often find themselves in these unavoidable
situations because of their weight.
Fast food is the heart of childhood
obesity. It is the ultimate cause of the many problems that have been
identified and need to be changed. Children frequently consume large quantities
of fast food in one sitting. Eighty-four percent of parents allow their
children to eat fast food once a week at the minimum (Yale Rudd Center). The tremendous
amount of fast food consumed is a prominent factor of children gaining an
unhealthy amount of weight. Moreover, the serving sizes in the fast food
industry increase rapidly and include unhealthy sides. For example, in 1972
people were able to order “large” fries at McDonald’s. In 1992, McDonald’s
added a super size fries, which was triple the quantity of the original “large”
size, and contained 610 calories and 29 grams of fat (Eric Schlosser). Larger serving sizes of these unhealthy
foods, high in calories and fat, increase the risk of children becoming obese.
The fact that the side is fries, as oppose to healthier choices, such as carrot
sticks, contributes to the overall problem. Therefore, the frequent consumption
of fast food, and the big serving sizes are major contributors to the childhood
obesity epidemic.
People may say that the simple solution
to childhood obesity is to limit visits to fast food restaurants. However, I
disagree because no matter how frequently children dine at fast food
restaurants, they are still eating extremely unhealthy foods all in one sitting,
which lack the necessary nutrition for kids. Fast food restaurants offer an
abundance of foods that contain a massive amount of calories, which often
exceed the recommended amount of calories for kids per day. The suggested amount
of calories for toddlers from ages two to three is 1000-1400 per day (Baylor
College of Medicine). The problem lies precisely in fast food meals. To compare
the recommended caloric intake with the calories in a single kids meal at
McDonald’s, “four chicken nuggets, fries, and a soft drink has a total of 720
calories” (“Nutritional Quality of Kids’ Meals”). In an average kid’s meal, even with what
seems like such a small portion, kids eat almost three-fourths the recommended
calories they are supposed to receive daily. America can no longer sit by and
watch this generation of kids eat so many unhealthy calories in one sitting,
especially when it results in weight gain. However, many Americans would argue,
“What about the healthy choices fast food restaurants offer throughout the United
States?” Well, although there are healthy options on menus, there is no
guarantee that these options are low in calories. Salads are healthy because
they contain lettuce and vegetables, and fruit smoothies are made with fruit.
However, because they appear to have healthy ingredients, does not mean they
are a better choice in calories. In fact,
the words “fruit” and “salad” can often be deceiving. For instance, on the
McDonald’s menu, there is a choice of salad, with the salad dressing alone
containing four more grams of fat than a small order of French fries, almost
completely matching the calories in a single Big Mac (Michelle Crouch). Kids
probably will not eat salad, but the amount calories put into what is categorized,
as a “healthy” meal is overwhelming. Healthy choices offered by fast food
industries label that industry as health friendly. They want to seem like they
care about kids’ health, when in reality, the “healthier” choices offered, are
expensive and loaded with calories, similar to the burgers and fries kids eat
originally.
Yes, fast food is unhealthy and kids eat a lot of it, but what really drags so many kids to these fast food locations? What drives them to eat it frequently? Is it the taste or the convenience? These are some of the many questions that afflict people’s minds all over the country, but there is only one straightforward answer: marketing. Fast food marketing bombards kids into eating enormous amounts of fast food. Industries have no shame in marketing to kids as young as toddlers, for the kids are their most valuable and reliable customers. Media is one of the biggest aspects of their marketing scheme. There are so many fast food ads on television that preschoolers actually “see three ads per day, adolescents see three and a half, and teens see at least five” (“Fast Food Facts”). In addition, fast food websites, with games, target young kids, who visit the sites frequently. McDonald’s owns “13 websites in which get 365,000 visitors, from ages two to eleven,” one most commonly called Ronald.com (“Fast Food Facts”). People may think that the ads do not make a difference regarding obesity, rather what does is the lack of exercise kids get when sitting on the couch, watching television or on the computer. However, since there is so much advertising on television and websites, in which kids visit all the time, the idea of “McDonald’s” implants in their brains, almost as if brainwashing them to attend often. Marketing does not just come with a plea to kids and leave it at that, but also comes with, what I call, a bribe. The McDonald’s websites offer games, videos, and an inside look at the new toys coming out for kids’ happy meals. In fact, advertising has become so intense that when I entered in the website address of Ronald.com, McDonald’s kid-friendly mascot, and searched, the address changed to happymeal.com. Why don’t fast food restaurants care about these children’s health? Well, it is because they pay millions of dollars to “reel in” their young viewers, but in doing so, gain billions in profit. By marketing to kids, they are guaranteed to get business from their best customers. “McDonald’s made a $1528.8 million expenditure [in marketing] to support $24.4 billion in sales” (Marion Nestle). Furthermore, one of the biggest, most effective motives for kids to eat at fast food restaurants is because they get a toy. Industries offer a toy with a purchase of a kid’s meal. There is nothing more exciting to a child than receiving a toy from a popular movie, show, or cartoon. In my experience, I would ask my mom to take me to McDonald’s or Burger King all the time, just so I could add to my toy collection. Because toys are incessantly offered, and popular ones at that, kids’ visits to fast food restaurants become increasing steps closer to obesity, for a child cannot get a toy without eating a kid’s meal. In figure one, a kid’s meal, also called a happy meal, includes a panda toy along with the regular, high calorie meal. McDonald’s advertises toys like this in the hope to “reel in” their young customers, which unfortunately works as a result of the distribution of appealing toys with every kid’s meal. In addition to toy advertising, fast food restaurants also advertise a playground on site. This strategy sends a message to the young consumers that if they come to McDonald’s, they can play in the playhouse. Industries appeal to kids desires to play, play and play some more, which results in frequent visits. In order to play, customers have to buy food. In this way, kids take another step up the ladder of obesity. In figure two, McDonald’s advertises a playground directly outside the restaurant. Even though it is not advertised through the media, the strategy is just as good, for it coaxes the kids who happen to see it as their parents drive by. Its true marketing technique becomes clear when food ads, like the one in this image, hang off the front of the play structure.
Although the main goal of fast food
marketing is to gain child customers, another goal is to make the restaurant
well known. The arches, that have the appearance of both an “M” and French
fries, are practically everywhere you look. McDonald’s has become so popular
throughout the U.S. that “the golden arches are now more widely recognized than
the Christian cross” (Eric Schlosser). No wonder this generation of children is
increasingly obese and on the verge of obesity.
With all of these bombarding messages everywhere kids look, visiting
unhealthy, fast food restaurants is almost unavoidable. The McDonald’s logo has
become such a prevalent insignia in the country through different modes of
advertisement, which lurk around every corner. The Christian cross, one of the
largest, most significant denominations of religion, has fallen into second
place to McDonald’s, a fast food chain, whose “golden arches” resemble French fries.
Fast food advertising has escalated to an unbelievable level by manipulating
the media in this way and coaxing children to what could be their death.
In contrast, America cannot deem fast food restaurants with all the blame. Americans need to consider the people who actually bring these kids to fast food restaurants and set an example. Although it may seem unlikely, parents often do negatively influence childhood obesity. The biggest problem is that parents take their kids to fast food restaurants frequently because it is affordable and convenient. A poll conducted by parentsconnect.com said “17 percent of parents take their kids to fast food all the time.” Although 17 percent may seem like a small number compared to all the parents in the United States, these visits do impact the childhood obesity rate. We are now 17 percent closer to the further rise of obesity, which cannot be a positive step in the right direction. Parents may argue that fast food is way easier for them because they work, and it involves no cooking or cleaning. I do not deny that “changes in the family particularly an increase in dual-career or single-parent working families, may also have increased demand for food away from home or pre-prepared foods” (Anderson and Butch). However, it is the wrong move because, by feeding children fast food all the time, parents send a message that this is the norm, and it is not. Parents can easily pick up a ready meal from the nearest grocery store, in order to ensure their kids good health. Even if parents are in a rush, people will be surprised how much limiting fast food restaurant visits will help the obesity numbers go down.
There are actually several healthier alternatives to fast food that could save the youth of this generation. As I stated before, many parents feed their kids fast food because it is cheaper than buying food and cooking a meal. However, there are certain programs for lower income families that are a healthier and cheaper option. For example, one of these is the food stamp program. “The Food Stamp Program provides families with 13 million children resources to purchase an adequate diet” (“The Food Stamp Program’s Critical Role in Helping Children”). This is one solution that takes a step down the ladder of childhood obesity. Using this program gives children healthier foods to eat, at the same time as providing the parents a way to do so for their kids by giving them food stamps. For example, “in 2007, a typical family of three with a full-time minimum wage worker receives $335 a month in food stamps” (“The Food Stamp Program’s Critical Role in Helping Children”). In truth, although parents may not want this help, the money given to families is so beneficial to ensuring kids a healthier diet, which is so important. Even a family with one parent working full-time can get the benefits, which will positively add to the income earned from working. In addition, parents may think that home-cooked meals are expensive. Although it may seem trivial, they are simultaneously very cheap and contain healthier ingredients. In the infograph above, although cooking is no doubt time consuming, a home-cooked meal is a way healthier choice than paying more for McDonald’s and receiving unhealthy food filled with unnecessary calories, fat, sugar, and sodium. If parents could find a way to make cooking work at least most of the time, they could make a significant difference in their children’s lives by protecting them from the disease of childhood obesity.
One of the most important aspects in
suppressing the childhood obesity epidemic is for parents to encourage exercise
and a healthy diet in children’s lives. Exercise is an important part in
keeping children fit and giving them energy. Because exercise burns fat, it is
part of the overall solution to end childhood obesity. According to the Center
for Disease Control, “children and teens should get about 60 minutes of
moderate intensity physical activity each day.” Parents should encourage an
hour of exercise to their children, even if it is as simple as going on a walk
in the park or playing hopscotch in the yard. Every little bit of exercise in a
child’s life counts. In addition, enforcing a healthy diet is also very
beneficial to a child’s health. The dietary recommendation for kids should be
plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat meats, low-calorie
products, and a lot of water (CDC). A healthy diet containing these foods
ensures a child a lot of energy and vigor, as well as keeps them in good
health, as kids should be. Proper nutrition helps kids get the necessary
vitamins and nutrients needed for them to grow. For example, vegetables contain
vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which fuels the body and
strengthens it. It is so important for America to focus on these aspects of
prevention because children are the future of the United States. In order to
establish a great future for our nation, we need to keep them healthy
throughout their lives.
In conclusion, childhood obesity is
caused by several factors, including fast food restaurants, their marketing schemes,
and parents’ influence on children. It remains a serious problem in America
because so many of this generation of children are extremely overweight and on
the verge of major diseases, such as diabetes and heart conditions. The
importance of solving the problem through healthier alternatives is crucial in
saving a generation of kids who will become the face of America when they grow
up. Exercise and a healthy diet may be that one needed change that this country
has been looking for to prevent the spread of such a horrible disease that
impacts children’s lives throughout the United States. Taking action against
childhood obesity makes for a better future for our children, and as Americans,
nothing is more important.
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