Are Fast Food Restaurants to Blame for Obesity, Research Paper Example

It is certainly no secret that Americans are more obese than they use to be. There is a great deal of concern for the health of youth as well as the public in general. Diseases and health problems are the leading cause of the societal push that has made America more aware of their weight, nutrition and how they can benefit from changing their eating habits. While controversial, some claim that junk food and increased fast foods is the culprit for the American growing waist line. Others suggest that eating and nutrition is a personal choice and cannot blame restaurants for their extra pounds. This paper will explore the relationship between fast food and obesity, as well as answer the question of whether or not fast food is to blame for increased obesity.

Prevalence of Obesity

According to research, approximately 72.5 million American adults suffer from obesity (Flegal et al 235). While there are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration a recent survey conducted by the Continuous Survey of Food Intake suggests that fast food portions have increased from 16% in 1977 to 27% in 1995 (Lin & Guthrie). During the same time the number of fast food restaurants more than doubled. Because of the increased rate of obesity and also doubled fast food establishments some have theorized that there is a positive correlation between the two. This type of argument would suggest that environment is an important factor in America’s growing waistlines.

Over Indulgence or Created Portions

The meals at fast food restaurants are typically not healthy. They are packed full of calories, sugar and fats that are known to cause heart disease, lead to type II Diabetes and have numerous other negative health concerns.

The question then becomes, is the fast food restaurant causing the rise in obesity or is the individuals over indulgence of fast food to blame? Portions at fast food restaurants have gotten bigger over the years. What use to be a simple hamburger can now be supersized to include triple the calories, so who’s to blame for a person ingesting that many calories? Do the fast food restaurants carry any of the blame for the high caloric intake or is it the individual that chooses to eat those super-sized portions? This argument led to a push by law makers to require restaurants to post the nutritional information of all offerings on the menu for the public to see (Mcbride). The theory behind this was to allow consumers to see how many calories they were eating before ordering their meal. They proposed that most had no idea of the true calories or health concerns of the food items that they were eating or feeding their children. Those that were not aware of the enormous amounts of calories that they were consuming in one meal could have led to increased obesity, without their true understanding of the impact that there choices had on their weight. By forcing restaurants to detail calories and nutritional values, it then becomes the consumer’s decision and places the “blame” on them rather than the restaurant.

Research Comparisons

Because of the health concerns and push for a healthier America, there have been many studies conducted that have attempted to define the relationship between fast food restaurants and obesity. One factor that seems to play a role in consumers choosing fast food establishments is their proximity to the restaurant. Researchers attempted to determine the link between proximity and obesity rates with high school students. What they found was that fast food restaurants within a tenth of a mile to the school resulted in a 5.2% increase in obesity rates (Currie, Vigna, Moretti & Pathania 60).

The study also found that pregnant women and African-Americans also had increased instances of obesity when they lived within a mile of fast food restaurants. Pregnant women showed an increase weight gain of about 20 pounds when they were within a mile of fast food restaurants. This suggests that convenience and access to the food source has a direct effect on obesity and eating habits for many sub-cultures of society.

Certainly not everyone that eats fast food is obese, however it appears that it can and does have a negative impact on many. There are most likely co-existing factors that cause an increase in obesity when combined. For example, the argument has been made that if a person is eating fast food that there is a reduction of fruits and vegetables, or healthy eating. The substitute of high calorie foods would cause more of an increase in body size; however that does not pinpoint the fast food restaurant alone. The life style choices of these individuals must be considered as well. They are not required to eat the super-sized portions or even dine at the establishment. This argument would suggest that fast food in moderation would not cause obesity and is definitely the person’s choice. However, one can clearly see how the access of fast food coupled with America’s busy schedules, could promote unhealthy and quick solutions for the family’s dinner.

A recent study published in the Journal of Law and Economics suggested that restricted or banned marketing attempts of fast food restaurants would reduce the number of overweight children by approximately 18%, which could proportionately reduce childhood obesity by 14% (Science Daily). That suggests that there is a tremendous push and impact on children that encourages them to engage in unhealthy eating. Marketing has been proven to be highly effective on the general population and this study suggests that children are no different. This is especially true with the toys, action figures and other items that they receive with their meal.

Not only do they enjoy the meal, but also the toy that they receive when dining at that establishment. Of course the restaurants do not want to cease advertisement because it would greatly affect their income levels. Many have suggested that rather than placing their emphasis on advertising during children’s programming that they target adults instead. Adults clearly have the knowledge and mind set to make their own decisions and understand the impact of high caloric food intake. However, some speculate that fast food restaurants purposely target young children with their advertising knowing that the child will convince their parents to dine, therefore increasing their profit levels (Mcbride).

Other Factors of Obesity

Clearly, there are numerous factors that can be linked to obesity. Along with unhealthy eating habits there have been other changes in society that could also be to blame for the increased prevalence of obesity. A recent article published by ABC news suggests that 71% of Americans admits that they do not get enough exercise and when they do exercise that it is not vigorous (Langer). Less exercise, unhealthy eating and a more sedentary life style does have an impact on a person’s weight. In the last several years, children play more video games and spend hours in front of the television, without regard to their weight or health. For some children the only exercise that they receive is at school during their physical education class. Adults have a more sedentary lifestyle as well. Employment responsibilities are not as demanding or vigorous as past times with the increased technology and convenience of today’s lifestyle. Back many years ago individuals were expected to grow their own food, tend to gardens and did not have the convenience of appliances and modern technology to carry much of the workload for them.

The demands were much greater and the obesity rate was much lower as well. This could suggest that individuals have chosen less exercise and poor eating habits, which results in weight gain. However, it is noted that the number of fast food restaurants have increased as well.

In conclusion, it is difficult to deny that there is an increased prevalence of obesity. Regardless of the reasons for America’s weight gain, one must understand that there are definite and dangerous health concerns associated with obesity. While it appears that there is a positive correlation between obesity and fast food restaurants, consumers must take some responsibility for their own actions as well. While it is notable that advertisements and marketing can draw the average consumer into a restaurant, which is especially true for children that are unaware of the unhealthy eating, at some point individuals must accept responsibility for their own actions. Agreeably, restaurants should be forthcoming with the nutritional value and calories that their menu items have. The laws that require their posting of information is a good way to notify the public and ensure that they are fully aware of what they are putting in their mouths. To answer the question of whether or not fast food establishments are to blame for the epidemic of obesity in America; while it appears that fast food restaurants have a direct relationship and effect on weight gain, they cannot be blamed alone. Exercise and a sedentary lifestyle must also be factored into the equation. Personal choice and lifestyles must also be considered as Americans are not forced to dine or frequent restaurants, they have the choice to dine at home, eating a healthier meal. So, the answer appears to be that a combination of many factors is to blame for obesity, not fast food restaurants alone.

Works Cited

Currie, Janet & Stefano Della Vigna & Enrico Moretti & Vikram Pathania, 2010. “The Effect of Fast Food Restaurants on Obesity and Weight Gain,” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 2(3), pages 32-63, August

Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Curtin LR. Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999–2008. JAMA 2010;303:235–41.

Langer, Gary. “ABCNEWS.com : Poll: Concern, But Little Action on Obesity.” ABCNews.com: Breaking News, Politics, World News, Good Morning America, Exclusive Interviews –

 ABC News. N.p., 30 May 2004. Web. 5 June 2011 <http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Living/Obesity_poll_040530.html>.

Lin, Biing., & Joanne Guthrie.  (1999). America’s eating habits: Changes and consequences. Agriculture Information Bulletin no. 750,

Mcbride, Sarah. “Exiling the Happy Meal,” Wall Street Journal, July 30, 2008

Trends, Study Shows.” ScienceDaily, 29 Nov. 2008. Web. 5 Jun. 2011 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081119120149.htm>