by Russell Waldron

Created on: June 11, 2009

Although we are all accountable for our own actions ( we choose what food we eat ) should fast food chains be held partially responsible for global obesity?A plethora of research has been carried out and a host of opinions given by nutrition experts in lieu of the obesity epidemic. And considering more than 30% of westerners are deemed grossly obese or overweight one needs to consider why. Therefore many questions need to be asked, why do we overeat? Are we brainwashed in some manner to overindulge? Who should we point the finger at for the ever increasing rate of obesity? Below are a few reasons why fast food companies have a lot to answer for. But we as consumers should take some responsibility as well.

ADVERTISING:

We all want a healthy family, but it's so hard when our children demand KFC, McDonald's, Burger King and other popular fast foods. Young children, teenagers and even adults are becoming very conditioned in reference to craving certain foods, but it's us who are allowing it to happen. Kids no longer want to sit at the table with the family and eat their meat and three vegetables; they're expecting upsized cheeseburger meals, cola, KFC, greasy fries, pizza, sugar laced and fatty foods for just about every meal these days.

Billboards are consistently in our faces, showing scrumptious looking meat patties, chicken, pizza, past, donuts etc. Advertisements on television and in magazines become somewhat hypnotic and before we know it, the marketing subliminal messages have worked on us; our feet lead us to the doors of the fast food stores before we can think logically.

CONVENIENCE:

What could be easier than driving up to a window and asking for a bucket of KFC or 4 Big Mac upsized feasts wit h fries on the side? Business men and women sleep deprived new mothers, time limited office workers etc all love the convenience of food to go. Meal planning is not needed and the kids are happy so what more could you ask for? Time saving and convenient, fast foods do have their uses.

SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES:

It makes no difference to marketers that laws have been set in place to abolish subliminal messages from advertising. By hook or by crook, advertisers will use every trick of the trade to get you interested in their merchandise. Eventually we become somewhat brain washed that we need what they are selling. Who doesn't salivate when they see a billboard showing a juicy steak, a cream filled iced donut or a piece of chicken which looks so delicious? Radio

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