Fat America Who Is To Blame Analysis

In recent years, the issue of obesity - in particular childhood obesity - has been a burgeoning concern for many citizens of the United States. This issue is a multi-faceted one; one that has left concerned parties wondering who is to blame and what can be done to ensure everyone’s safety. There are several ways to look at this issue and its solutions: the individual's’ responsibility, business’s responsibility, and the government’s responsibility. The individual person bears responsibility for the issue of obesity. As “Fat America: Who Is to Blame” describes, people cannot be forced to eat healthy food items. The individual chooses what they eat and how much they exercise. If they choose not to eat healthy or exercise a proper amount, that is their choice. There are people who do not regularly eat fast food or junk food, which is proof that it is not impossible to do so. Furthermore, consumers drive the market. If consumers wanted healthy foods, they would insist on healthy products. Instead, many companies who have tried to introduce healthy products have failed because of lack of interest. Michael Tanner points out in “Who Is Responsible for Obesity” that “one of the foundational principles of a free society is self-ownership.” In this sense, the individual person is charge of making their …show more content…
With obesity, there is no black and white way to look at it, at least not with the current science we have. I believe that every group has responsibility in it. Consumers make their own choices for food. Businesses need to reevaluate marketing and products while balancing consumer desires. The government must not be hasty in attempting to solve this problem, especially with how HHFK and similar programs worked out. With all the factors causing obesity to be a problem, to assume there is one cause or solution is a mistake. It is a complex issue, and thus, so is the