Is Fast Food the New Tobacco?

          

Obesity has been a mounting problem in the United States, with over 40% of adults being obese, causing a multitude of other health problems like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. This epidemic is partly caused by the prevalence of fast food in our culture. While some may say that people should know better than to eat fast food all the time, many don't really have other options. Poverty plays a big role in food problems. Fast food is much more convenient, lower in price, and more filling, which is especially enjoyable for the children of parents in low-income communities.



Many believe that the best way to combat the
obesity/fast food problem is to not do anything, at least legally. But instead, stop making obesity a public health issue, and encourage a culture of self-responsibility, "freeing insurance companies to reward healthy eating habits, and penalize poor ones", as Radley Balko expressed in his article, "What You Eat is Your Business". However, many find that approach dangerous and demand that fast food companies take responsibility and are more open about their food/calories, and carry warning labels "the way tobacco ads do", written in "Don't Blame the Eater" by
David Zinczen ko, who has struggled with obesity himself.