In the last thirty years, there has been an extreme increase in America’s obesity rates. Coincidentally, over this same period of time, “the amount of fast food restaurants in business doubled, which equates to about 300,000 establishments in the United States” (Muntel). There is a lot of controversy about whether or not the fast food industry should be blamed for the cause of obesity. Some argue that it is one’s choice to consume fast food or that “consumers are demanding it”(“We Can’t Blame Fast Food”). However, there are just too many factors that qualify fast food as the absolute biggest reason for obesity. So, what can be possibly done to stop this mayhem?
Fast food restaurants, like White Castle, have been around as early as the …show more content…
The amount of money that is spent for fast food advertisement is ridiculous and must be cut back. As a matter of fact, it is unbelievable that “in 2012, fast food restaurants spent $4.6 billion in total on all advertising”. Once again using McDonald’s as an example, they “ spent 2.7 times as much to advertise its products as all fruit, vegetable, bottled water, and milk advertisers combined” (Fast Food Facts). How ironic is that? The fast food industry had always been one of, if not, the top spending industry in the past several years. Along with exceeding amounts of money spent on advertising, this industry also contributes to obesity in the way that why advertise as well. One tactic that is used, is the use of celebrities, famous athletes, and other well-known public figures in order to market their products. From using models or celebrities to promote Carl’s Jr. burgers to using NBA superstar, Lebron James, to promote Sprite’s cool and refreshing beverage, these are all tactics used to lure in more consumers towards burgers that are full of fat and sugary sodas. These types of commercials are seen all the time. It’s actually reported that “American children see over a thousand fast food commercials on television every year” (Feloni). By using all of these celebrities and famous sports figures, that appeal to millions of Americans, it …show more content…
Taxes on fast food products will strongly discourage consumers from buying it. It is a bit surprising that this already hasn’t happened, considering that taxes on cigarettes have shown to be effective. In fact, “ tax-paid cigarette sales have significantly dropped in the last decade, from a high of 5.65 billion in 2006, to 3.2 billion in 2014”.There has always been “a correlation, if not a causal link, between increasing prices, and decreasing cigarette consumption”. (MacGuill) There are many other examples of decreased consumption of products due to taxes in addition to cigarettes. If these taxes have been so successful, why has the government not thought about putting a tax on fast food that can be equally unhealthy to its
Fast food restaurants, like White Castle, have been around as early as the …show more content…
The amount of money that is spent for fast food advertisement is ridiculous and must be cut back. As a matter of fact, it is unbelievable that “in 2012, fast food restaurants spent $4.6 billion in total on all advertising”. Once again using McDonald’s as an example, they “ spent 2.7 times as much to advertise its products as all fruit, vegetable, bottled water, and milk advertisers combined” (Fast Food Facts). How ironic is that? The fast food industry had always been one of, if not, the top spending industry in the past several years. Along with exceeding amounts of money spent on advertising, this industry also contributes to obesity in the way that why advertise as well. One tactic that is used, is the use of celebrities, famous athletes, and other well-known public figures in order to market their products. From using models or celebrities to promote Carl’s Jr. burgers to using NBA superstar, Lebron James, to promote Sprite’s cool and refreshing beverage, these are all tactics used to lure in more consumers towards burgers that are full of fat and sugary sodas. These types of commercials are seen all the time. It’s actually reported that “American children see over a thousand fast food commercials on television every year” (Feloni). By using all of these celebrities and famous sports figures, that appeal to millions of Americans, it …show more content…
Taxes on fast food products will strongly discourage consumers from buying it. It is a bit surprising that this already hasn’t happened, considering that taxes on cigarettes have shown to be effective. In fact, “ tax-paid cigarette sales have significantly dropped in the last decade, from a high of 5.65 billion in 2006, to 3.2 billion in 2014”.There has always been “a correlation, if not a causal link, between increasing prices, and decreasing cigarette consumption”. (MacGuill) There are many other examples of decreased consumption of products due to taxes in addition to cigarettes. If these taxes have been so successful, why has the government not thought about putting a tax on fast food that can be equally unhealthy to its