With the increasing appearance of fast food over the last century, America has gained a stigma of an obese nation. According to the CDC, obesity rates of both adults and children doubled between 1980 and 2000; furthermore, the obesity rate in adolescence has tripled. With all of this in mind, is the food America currently enjoys worth it?
Food can be healthy when one has the time to prepare it. Documentaries, including those similar to Food Inc. and Super-Size Me, have attempted to expose some of the health concerns currently abiding on American plates. These and similar documentaries call out large fast-food chains for abandoning health for profit. Such revelations have caused many questions to arise, like should companies allow toys to be sold to in such unhealthy meals. These revelations have caused some global brands to change how they operate in the United States, like the recent inclusion of apples in a McDonalds Happy Meal. These corporations and even some consumers claim that parents know exactly what their children are eating because the nutrition facts are available online. Furthermore, they claim that the parents have a choice not to eat at certain restaurants; while in fact, circumstances often prevent parents from being able to control every aspect of their children’s diet.
If one is in a rush or traveling, the easiest choice available to eat is fast food. This is where American culture has evolved; the rush of the American daily life does not allow for every meal to be home cooked. This evolution of culture has allowed food to become diverse, as stated in the article, “The Art of Cooking”; but for every quality meal made, there are dozens of others with poor nutrition and hygiene. The average American cannot afford to go to expensive restaurants for every meal, and they are too busy to always cook for themselves. The current solution in America is not the best. Obesity rates in children and adults keep increasing, so obviously something must be done.
At the end of the day, American culture must reflect on itself and ask if fast food is good, not if it is normal. Just because the unhealthy, accessible meals are normal, does not mean they are good for children, good for adults, or good for America.
American Cultural Icons 