An on- line primer for *Fat* meat and grease eating American
and UK victims.
Americans are getting fatter and fatter every year. It is
estimated that as many as one in five Americans is obese, a
condition defined as being more than 30 percent above the
ideal weight based on height. Even more alarming is that
fact that obesity rates for children have doubled over the
past 20 years, and overweight children are being diagnosed
with obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, sleep apnea
and respiratory illnesses that in the past have only
afflicted adults.
As the health care costs of treating obesity-related
illnesses mount, some are looking to place the blame for
increasing obesity rates on the purveyors of fast food.
Facing fierce competition for customer loyalty, fast food
chains such as McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's have
promoted their over-sized burgers, extra-large servings for
fries, and buckets of soda, all at low prices. Busy and cash-
strapped families increasingly rely on take-out food for
family dinners, and regular consumption of over-sized
portions of fatty foods can leads to widespread obesity.
Some trial lawyers, fresh from a $90 million (and growing)
windfall from the tobacco lawsuits, have set their sites on
fast food companies. Following the tobacco lawsuit model,
some argue that these companies should be held liable for
the health care costs of treating illnesses associated with
obesity, since they peddle dangerously unhealthy foods to
unwitting consumers. The combination of the staggering
number of obese Americans and the fat wallets of the fast
food companies makes such lawsuits a tantalizing prospect
for many trial lawyers and their potential clients.
On One Hand
The portions served by fast food chains and other
restaurants are far larger than the recommended portion size
for most foods. Food costs for restaurants are relatively
low, compared to the costs of rent and labor, so it makes
sense for them to offer larger portions that make their
customers feel like they are getting a bang for the buck.
As American eat out more and more frequently, they become
accustomed to those oversized portion, and think that
such portions are normal. The high caloric content of
these large servings leads to weight gain for regular
fast food customers, and obesity can lead to many
dangerous health problems.
Fast food chains do not alert their customers to the
hazardously high calorie and fat content of the food they
offer. They deserve some of the blame for the epidemic of
obesity, and lawsuits brought by victims of their toxic food
would force these companies to take some responsibility for
their dangerous products.
On the Other Hand
Cigarettes contain substances that are addictive to smokers,
and tobacco companies have been made to pay the price for
selling a product that is dangerous to the health of their
customers. But no one can claim that a Big Mac or a Whopper
is addictive. They may be tasty, and people may eat too many
of them, but McDonalds and Burger King are not responsible
for their customers' lack of self-control.
Lawsuits against fast food companies on behalf of obese
"victims" would say more about the greed of trial lawyers
than about any real danger posed by fast food. Most people
choose to eat fast food even though they know it's bad for
them. Individuals have to take responsibility for that
choice, not the company that provides the food.
The US. Department of Agriculture estimates the cost at
more than $ 71 billion a year in added health-care and
related expenses.
In 1991, one in eight Americans were obese. In 1999, the
number had increased to one in five.
A study by Policy Analysis Inc. concluded that overweight
people cost their employers $12.7 billion in sick time and
insurance coverage in 1994 alone.
It is estimated that kids get up to 40 percent of their
meals from fast-food chains, convenience stores and
restaurants.
There are fast-food franchise outlets in 13 percent of the
nation's schools.
One American Medical Association study estimates that
300,000 Americans die each year from obesity-related causes
such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Obesity levels are sky-rocketing despite the fact that $33
billion a year is spent on weight-loss aids.
Washington Post, Guest Choice Network, the Nation, Time
Agree Fast food portions are getting larger and larger
and so are the waistlines of many Americans. Restaurants
that offer "super-sized" food should be held liable for
the numerous health problems that result from their
customers' consumption.
Disagree Where there is a demand, there will be a supply.
Individuals choose what they eat, and if they choose to
indulge on fattening fast food, they are responsible for
the resulting weight gain - not the companies that supply
it.
Conclusion Never eat at fast food joints. It damages not
only your health, but also your pocket. Even if you chose a
vegetarian or vegan option, it still damages your profile
and street cred. Buy some decent food and take it home, or
back to work and turn it into something nourishing and
healthy at the fraction of the price.
Also never eat and work at the same time, show your guts
some respect.
Should your lifestyle demand that you eat at these places or
in the car, well - get another job. The work will be there
long after you are dead.
Same with your cell phones, get rid of em! They cause stress
and make you look daft in public places. But keep one in the
car for outgoing emergency calls.
If you are not at home or in the office - you are not
available period. People will soon get used to the fact and
value the precious time you chose to share with them.
Don't be another brick in the wall, bring down the wall and
those who chose to exploit you.
Ignore at your peril
Ray.