Food, a “nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth.” (Dictionary.com) The foundation of all life substance is food. To deprive ourselves from these essential nutrients would immediately lead towards advert repercussions and quite possibly cease life as we know it. People everywhere understand the importance of food, but our mistake was not acknowledging this crucial aliment. Our controversy lies in altering our groceries, expanding our waistline and debilitating ourselves to prone illnesses.
In the articles “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko and “What You Eat Is Your Business” by Radley Balko, the authors attempt to literally tackle a big problem, obesity. Zinczenko and Balko both agree that it is an imperative health epidemic across the states; however, they’re opinions differ on how to address the issue. In the article “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Balko recognizes that there is an obesity crisis but denies that the issue be termed “public health”. He believes in accountability and responsibility; what we choose to eat or not, should be our own matter. Balko also warns consumers of the repercussions that come along with government interference; “If the government is paying for my anti-cholesterol medication, what incentive is there for me to put down the cheeseburger?”( Balko) He argues that the people choosing to consume chips, sodas and other types of “junk food,” are the ones choosing to put their own health at risk. He also believes that they have no one to blame but their selves, so why make health care more accessible to those who chose to put themselves in that position. On the other hand, David Zinczenko believes that it is not the fault of the consumers but rather the fast-food companies. He strongly suggests it is crucial the companies producing these types of high-fat, and un-nutritional foods be held accountable for the society’s overconsumption. Zinczenko argues that there is a lack of alternatives; “Drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you’ll see one of our country’s more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants. Now drive back up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit.” (Zinczenko) How can people be expected to live a healthy lifestyle, when fast food companies are spending billions on advertisements and are located in almost every corner. Although their opinions differ, there are many similarities between the two writers. Both Balko and Zinczenko believe someone needs to be held accountable. They also both state that obesity is affecting everyone. Balko believes is arguing for a community to reform together while Zinzenko wants to disassociate himself from having to pay for the mistakes of others. Another similarity in their essays is they both elaborate on a solution, a proposal to establish a healthier society. David Zinczenko proposes the government to do more to promote food awareness. He urges the the Food and Drug Administration to require labels with the correct calorie content, as well as administer warning labels ( similar to those required of the tobacco industry). Zinczenko argues that companies fail to deliver the proper nutritional facts, …show more content…
Obesity is a problem. Whether it is a problem that affects all of us, as suggested by David
Zinczenko in “Don’t Blame the Eater” or each our own, as proposed by Radley Balko, action must
nevertheless be taken. Balko makes good points in his article, but Zinczenkos credibility makes his essay
stronger. Balko’s proposition is not realistic and I believe it does not put into consideration the best “of
the people.” His idea of reform would only benefit very few people and does not take into account people
with health problems.I believe Zinczenko understands the issue better and proposes a more realistic
proposal. If the government did more to prevent toxins, such as the one big company’s choose to put on
their menu, we would be in better shape. There are some items that shouldn’t be allowed to be called
food. A society cannot thrive, as long as our health is being implicated for a couple of dollars. If society
put in effect Zinczenko’s proposal, people would see things for what they were. Food would no longer all
be the same, they would finally have a knowledge, which is key to succeed in
In the articles “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko and “What You Eat Is Your Business” by Radley Balko, the authors attempt to literally tackle a big problem, obesity. Zinczenko and Balko both agree that it is an imperative health epidemic across the states; however, they’re opinions differ on how to address the issue. In the article “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Balko recognizes that there is an obesity crisis but denies that the issue be termed “public health”. He believes in accountability and responsibility; what we choose to eat or not, should be our own matter. Balko also warns consumers of the repercussions that come along with government interference; “If the government is paying for my anti-cholesterol medication, what incentive is there for me to put down the cheeseburger?”( Balko) He argues that the people choosing to consume chips, sodas and other types of “junk food,” are the ones choosing to put their own health at risk. He also believes that they have no one to blame but their selves, so why make health care more accessible to those who chose to put themselves in that position. On the other hand, David Zinczenko believes that it is not the fault of the consumers but rather the fast-food companies. He strongly suggests it is crucial the companies producing these types of high-fat, and un-nutritional foods be held accountable for the society’s overconsumption. Zinczenko argues that there is a lack of alternatives; “Drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you’ll see one of our country’s more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants. Now drive back up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit.” (Zinczenko) How can people be expected to live a healthy lifestyle, when fast food companies are spending billions on advertisements and are located in almost every corner. Although their opinions differ, there are many similarities between the two writers. Both Balko and Zinczenko believe someone needs to be held accountable. They also both state that obesity is affecting everyone. Balko believes is arguing for a community to reform together while Zinzenko wants to disassociate himself from having to pay for the mistakes of others. Another similarity in their essays is they both elaborate on a solution, a proposal to establish a healthier society. David Zinczenko proposes the government to do more to promote food awareness. He urges the the Food and Drug Administration to require labels with the correct calorie content, as well as administer warning labels ( similar to those required of the tobacco industry). Zinczenko argues that companies fail to deliver the proper nutritional facts, …show more content…
Obesity is a problem. Whether it is a problem that affects all of us, as suggested by David
Zinczenko in “Don’t Blame the Eater” or each our own, as proposed by Radley Balko, action must
nevertheless be taken. Balko makes good points in his article, but Zinczenkos credibility makes his essay
stronger. Balko’s proposition is not realistic and I believe it does not put into consideration the best “of
the people.” His idea of reform would only benefit very few people and does not take into account people
with health problems.I believe Zinczenko understands the issue better and proposes a more realistic
proposal. If the government did more to prevent toxins, such as the one big company’s choose to put on
their menu, we would be in better shape. There are some items that shouldn’t be allowed to be called
food. A society cannot thrive, as long as our health is being implicated for a couple of dollars. If society
put in effect Zinczenko’s proposal, people would see things for what they were. Food would no longer all
be the same, they would finally have a knowledge, which is key to succeed in