Don’t Blame The Eater': The Issue of America’s Growing Weight

The obesity epidemic Americans face today is a growing problem that affects more than half of the population. With growing body sizes and serious medical problems associated with obesity, it is a problem that needs to be addressed and changed. No one would argue that obesity, especially in children, is not a problem. However, the cause of childhood obesity is heavily debated. Many people claim that fast-food restaurants are to blame. In the following essay, I will argue that it is not the fault of fast-food restaurants that America has a growing obesity problem, but instead there is a need for personal accountability among consumers.

In the article, Don’t Blame the Eater, author David Zinczenko talks about the fast-food industry and its role in the childhood obesity epidemic. Zinczenko shares his personal story about how fast-food restaurants such as Taco Bell and McDonald’s led to a weight problem during his high-school years. He claims that the ease of accessibility and lack of healthy alternatives make it all too easy to fall into the cycle of unhealthy eating. Zinczenko also contends that the lack of nutrition labels on fast-food products leaves the consumer in the dark about what he or she is actually consuming.

As busy Americans, we are always on the go. When hungry and in a hurry there are many fast, convenient, and healthy items available. Many people who insist that fast-food chains are a main cause of obesity in America because there are a plethora of fast-food restaurants on every block with few healthy alternatives, are not looking at the whole picture. Sure, fast food restaurants are very easy to find and offer quick, in-and-out service, but there are other options that are convenient, economical, and healthy, especially in an urban area such as Chicago. Restaurants such as Panera and Chipotle offer a range of items that are healthy and provide a quick service for those on a schedule. In addition to these healthier, on-the-go options, it is also possible to pack one’s own snack or meal.

Consuming fast food products every day or multiple days a week, without adding exercise to one’s routine, will probably lead to poorer health and weight gain. I challenge Zinczenko and those who share his mentality to take their health into their own hands. There are healthier options available either at home by packing your own meals or on the go by selecting healthier restaurants. Fast-food restaurants now make it just as easy to access the nutritional facts of their products, as it is to consume their products. Consumers should take this knowledge and make healthy, smart decisions about their bodies.