Don T Blame The Eater Analysis

In his article, Don 't Blame the Eater, David Zinczenko applauds youngsters that are suing McDonalds restaurants. Zinczenko sympathizes with the fast food patrons and supports their claims that the fast food company is making kids fat. Although I agree with Zinczenko that eating too much fast food is unhealthy, I cannot accept his overriding assumption that fast food restaurants are solely to blame for the childhood obesity epidemic (393). Furthermore, Zinczenko overlooks what I consider an important point about responsibility parents have for the health and welfare of their children. Parents, not fast food restaurants, are liable for the policing of children 's diet and exercise. Parents of young children have a duty to provide them with adequate nutrition and healthy food options. Sometimes the most convenient food is not the healthiest option, as in the case of most fast food restaurants. But with a little planning and preparation healthy meals and snacks can be readily available, so that children do not feel like fast food is their only option. For example, …show more content…
Zinczenko suggests that fast food is solely responsible for weight gain in youth. Despite his claims, fast food can be part of a healthy lifestyle, when enjoyed in moderation. Take the extreme case of high school teacher John Cisna, who actually lost weight while eating nothing but McDonald 's food. Anna Almendrala reported in the Huffington Post that on a 2,000 calorie a day diet of McDonald 's fare the teacher lost 24.5 pounds. Cisna says, " It 's not McDonald 's that makes you fat. It 's your choices that make you fat." Weight gain is caused by excess calories, not by the type of calories eaten. Critics will argue that Cisna added 45 minutes of exercise/brisk walking to his daily routine as well. I agree that that would have contributed to his weight gain and would say a healthy lifestyle is about making balanced