Obese individuals in the United States are continuing to blame anyone but themselves for eating at McDonald's instead of Subway or having the double cheeseburger instead of the garden salad. There are legal issues involving large food corporations and the marketing concentrations of unhealthy products. But it is time to get serious; it is no fault but our own if we choose unhealthy foods when healthy alternatives are available.
A recent article on the MSNBC website discussed the arguments surrounding new marketing concentrations within large food corporations on higher calorie foods. Some individuals are upset the corporations are focusing their resources on unhealthy foods and paying too little attention to the advertising of healthy foods. This claim is being used to place blame on the corporations for the U.S.'s excessive weight gain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 65 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. But according to a study done by the Small Steps program in the Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention Media Campaign Report, the excuses given by respondents for obesity and unhealthy lifestyles did not pinpoint the advertising of unhealthy foods. Many subjects responded with time constraints, laziness, slow results or the absence of family support as excuses; but the Campaign Report's list of responses included nothing concerning media pressure from large food corporations.
The United States is an economically advanced country with a public trend involving immediate satisfaction. Many want fast meals that adapt to their busy day-to-day schedules and so the convenience of fast food\ becomes tempting. Not all fast food choices are unhealthy, however. Chains such as Subway promote healthy sandwiches and most fast food chains offer side salads or alternatives to french fries.
Perhaps the arguments being made against the food corporations would hold more influence in the public eye if knowledge of healthy living were not available. That, however, is not the case. Advertisements for weight control programs and healthy alternatives are prevalent on TV, in print and by word of mouth. Many fast food chains are even joining the campaign to promote healthier living. According to the Small Steps Program Media Campaign, ""Web sites for several fast food chains currently offer detailed product nutrition information and suggest eating strategies for reducing fat, calories and carbohydrates.""
The information is not hard to find, and people are aware of healthy alternatives whether they admit it or not. The Small Steps Research claims that, ""Consumers have high awareness of the importance of diet and activity as a part of healthy lifestyles and consider themselves knowledgeable... most people are doing nothing to improve their short and long-term health outcomes."" The public knows the dangers of unhealthy eating and they are aware that their choices are not consistent with healthy living. This should be reason enough to end the campaign that blames the food corporations for U.S.'s weight gain.
The time spent worrying about the decisions of a marketing agent of a fast food chain could be spent at the gym or at the grocery store purchasing healthier food items. The actions being taken by those unhappy with their weight are the wrong ones. Instead, action should be taken in the form of activity and dieting.
The recent MSNBC article also shows that some people are comparing the fast food industry to the tobacco industry. They claim one industry cannot be viewed as better than the other because both industries promote unhealthy items and habits.
A psychiatrist specializing in drug and alcohol addiction quoted by USA Today said, ""I find the claims flatly offensive."" The article mirrors my thoughts on the subject saying that while we may perceive a ""craving"" for pizza or other fast foods as addictive, the idea of saying that fast food is ""addictive"" stretches the term too far. Addiction, when defined so broadly, loses meaning. It is not a relevant comparison between an item that contains poisons and nicotine and an item that contains higher concentrations of fat and calories.
Although advertisements are meant to tempt the public, the food corporations are not forcing anything on the public. Americans are not being forced to eat at fast food chains, and Americans are not being denied healthy alternatives. The legal arguments over who is responsible for obesity in the United States are tiring. The corporations should not bear the burden: We are responsible for our own decisions regarding our diets, self-control and activity.
Kaitlyn Farrell is a sophomore majoring in political science and journalism. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
For more on food marketing, read today's special in the Food/Commerce section.\
