Opposing Arguments Emily Griffin

There is a huge debate over the issue of obesity and what role the fast food industry plays in it. I chose to take the stand that fast food restaurants are not to blame for the increase in obesity. However, there is a copious amount of arguments for the opposing side. One of the main reasons that Americans hold the fast food industry accountable for obesity is that they claim that fast food restaurants do not warn consumers on how dangerous their food can be. Many people and even scientists assert that fast food possesses addictive qualities that trigger pleasure centers in the brain, so the more fast food Americans eat, the more they are going to want to eat it. In addition, many people believe that it should be mandatory for fast food restaurants to place warning labels on their food. Majority of Americans are uneducated to the truth behind greasy fast food, so they believe that the fast industry should be held accountable for their health issues. This is where many of the legal suits between individuals and fast food restaurants arise. Another justification many Americans argue is that fast food is cheap and readily available. With at least one fast food restaurant in every town, it is simply easier to just stop on the way home from work after a long day. In addition, many people claim that healthy food is too expensive to buy, and extra money should go to necessities, this especially holds true for low income families. Finally, then there are the parents who complain that there are too many commercials for fast food that their children watch. Then once their children see a commercial for a happy meal toy, or yummy looking chicken nuggets they will not stop nagging until they get what they want, so most of the parents give in. However, what it comes down to is, you are what you eat. People CHOOSE to eat fast food and parents take their kids to fast food restaurants. Americans are just looking for someone to place the blame on, even though it is their responsibility.