What responsibilty does corporate America Have with Obesity?

Rant

[robjna]

As a long standing freeper, I know we preach self responsibility, but how much responsibility must be placed with corporate America in our vast obesity problem. I am only addressing this now as I try to remove myself from the obesity column. I am not considered a fat person , but in my forties and watching my gut balloon, I finally decided to put a stop to it. My research found that all the promise diets all came down to one thing-less calories. So I went about trying the weight watchers program as it seemed the most logical system. I did it online as I did not need the support group lectures that come with weekly weigh-ins and it made it my own personal battle.

I am on my way to my weight loss, but what I have discovered is that it is practically impossible to lose weight or maintain unless all the cooking is done at home. I must pack lunches that are healthy, and cook meals that are within reason to keep the weight loss going. It is almost impossible to find fast food that will keep me on pace and even going out to dinner requires careful planning to stay on track.

This is where my question comes in. I know it is easier to get profits by having fries go with the burger versus a fruit cup, and frying it up will get more orders than a broiled chicken sandwich, but by preying on our desires to please our pallette versus our bodies, America has created an obese society.Many of our children are clueless to what a balanced meal with vegetables and fruit is realy like. our restaurants think the bigger the serving , the better the food and the better chance of a return customer. This really is a case of profit over customer.

Agian , from the top, it is our choice to stuff ourselves or make Mcdonalds a daily requirement, but it is frustrating and sad to watch how many Americans are over weight and even sadder to see a generation of kids going the same route because they know not better. We need to have alternatives in our fast paced enviroment to the fast food companies. We need less portions at our restaurants and we need less research on how we can sell more sweets by adding flavor enchancers to lure in the consumer. OK , enough ranting , fire away freepers.

[El Sordo]

It's not the fat, it's the carbs that make you fat.

To top it off, a low fat diet actually makes you eat more. Fat trips some switches in your brain when you eat it. You feel fuller and more satisfied. Without it not only do you keep eating beyond where you would have before, the exagerrated insulin reaction that the high-carb meal induces is what makes you crave more carbs 2 hours later.

Saturated fats have their own health risks, but their contribution of obesity is small compared to carbohydrates.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Universal education about their dangers and no public monies to provide health care for people who become ill as a result of their addictions.

Funny that you should mention health care, because those in the health care professions know absolutely nothing about weight loss. I recently went into the Doc because of a 20 lb weight gain that happened over a six-week period. A tingling in my right side and numbness in my right foot accompanied it, not to mention other unmentionable symptoms. The Doc’s answer? Eat less and exercise. I’m not a big eater, and I exercise regularly. His standard answer might have worked, except I had two bulging discs that soon blew. Once I was in extreme pain, they figured it out and took me to surgery. Now I’m fine, but at 40 those twenty pounds aren’t going to be easy to lose. Quack, Quack!

[PatrioticAmerican]

Corporate America? Are you a liberal??? What the Hell does someone else have to do with you putting too much food into your mouth and sitting on your ass???

[Trust but Verify]

The only 'fast food' I eat or allow my family to eat is Subway. And we select from the low fat menu, and we have a lot of veggies put on. The sandwich is very filling and very delicious. No fries, chips or cookies to go with the sandwich and either diet soda or water.

I am the proud 'loser' of 110 lbs and still going s-l-o-w-l-y down. It wasn't hard once I convinced myself that healthy things can be just as delicious and satisfying to eat as unhealthy things.

One last point. You cannot lose weight and be a couch potato. It won't work. You can count calories, count points, but unless you become active, it's a losing battle. You have a very good start, keep it up. Then, be very careful once you reach your goal not to go back to the bad habits.

[ampat]

Corporation responsibility should only be to display, honestly, the ingredients of food-no spin. On the other hand, I point the finger at the federal government for allowing Americans to become obese. What used to be a good food pyramid has become a monster created by food lobbyists who pay money to our prostitute congress. Fast food isn't causing obesity. At the grocerey store look at the foods next to the walls (vegetables, meat, dairy,sometimes bread). Everything else (on the aisles) is packed full of carbohydrates and sugar. Those two ingrediants are what make people obese, not fat. All those "fat-free" foods on the aisles are loaded with obese-causing carbs and sugar. People have been led to believe that fat makes you obese. That's simply not the case. People would be less fat and healthier if they kept their food purchases to items not on the aisles.

[Paradox]

The whole Atkins thing seemed a little extreme for me.)

Your current diet actually sounds much like the Atkins "maintenance" diet. The extreme portion of his diet (Induction) is only supposed to last a couple of weeks.

I eat like you, although not so many fruits, tons of veggies, meats, some cheese. I have lost 10% of my body weight so far, looking to lose another 10%.

As for fast foods, when I used to diet, I would eat at McDonalds, and just get a diet soda, a hamburger, and a small fry. Thats only around 500 calories. Thats not a whole lot. What happens is that people get used to large serving sizes. I did as well, got to the point where anything less than a Whopper with Fries (biggie size) and sugared soda, just wouldn't do.. Thats not corporate America's fault, it was mine.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Fish and vegetables and fruit, fish and vegetables and fruit. Walk, walk, walk, walk, climb, walk, climb. (Rush hour in Tokyo).

Not a plump one among 'em.

[ko_kyi]

I never read his books, just talked to people on it so I might have hit on something similar:)

One thing I discovered that I had to give up was fruit juice - LOTS of sugar in them. I eat whole fruits instead, so I get the fiber too.

[Billthedrill]

Strictly speaking, none. That is, "Corporate America," whatever that means, has one responsibility and one alone - to make a return on its shareholders' money. Now, it is easier to keep a warehouse full of froze taters and distribute them with trucks than it is to offer fruit-cups, which have to be locally prepared, but if there's a decent market for the latter they'll be in it. In the latter regard smaller, local places tend to be more responsive to local demands (von Mises based a whole economic theory on it), so I'd try there first.

What it boils down to is that it isn't their responsibility to "offer," it's your responsibility to "buy." Or not.

[liberallarry]

those in the health care professions know absolutely nothing about weight loss...

...and many other things. I could tell you the same story about trying to get treatment for an arthritic ankle. Quack! Quack!

But it's the best we've got. It's up to the individual to seek out the best he can find and make decisions about the (likely) efficacy of the (recommended) treatment.

[dfwgator]

Fish and vegetables and fruit, fish and vegetables and fruit. Walk, walk, walk, walk, climb, walk, climb. (Rush hour in Tokyo). Not a plump one among 'em.

Yeah, but they all smoke like chimneys.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yep, that's the downside for sure in Japan. You have a point. Especially for younger women. They don't get the obesity but plenty sure get lung or throat cancer from the 'hitsugi no kugi' (coffin nails).

[El Sordo]

But don't they all shnork down rice like there's no tomorrow?

[Dakmar]

While I ended up agreeing with much of what you said, I've decided to critique your post anyway, if only in the spirit of free and open debate.

Corporation responsibility should only be to display, honestly, the ingredients of food-no spin.

You have gutted the entire advertising industry if you insist on holding corporations to such truth-loving standards.

On the other hand, I point the finger at the federal government for allowing Americans to become obese.

Show me where the Constitution empowers the Federal Government to prevent Americans from becoming obese. There is that "Promote the general welfare" thing, but as a die-hard capitalist I believe the government does that best by giving the private sector free-reign.

What used to be a good food pyramid has become a monster created by food lobbyists who pay money to our prostitute congress. Fast food isn't causing obesity. At the grocerey store look at the foods next to the walls (vegetables, meat, dairy,sometimes bread). Everything else (on the aisles) is packed full of carbohydrates and sugar. Those two ingrediants are what make people obese, not fat. All those "fat-free" foods on the aisles are loaded with obese-causing carbs and sugar. People have been led to believe that fat makes you obese. That's simply not the case. People would be less fat and healthier if they kept their food purchases to items not on the aisles.

1) At the grocery store I go to, the produce is on the right side of the store, fresh meat is at the back, and frozen processed food is on the left wall. You can buy healthy food or junk food in any part of the store, it's up to the consumer.

[NC Conservative]

No. LOL It works though.

[monday]

Sigh...... corporations, indeed all business exists to make a profit. They are not there to make the world a better place, to bring peace and happiness, or to make sure you get a balanced diet. I realize this may come as a shock to you, but you are responsible for your waist line and no one else. Entities who hold no responsibility for your health include, corporations, the government, your next door neighbor, or the ice cream man.

As I said, corporation exist to make money, period. How do they make money? By providing a service or product of higher quality at a cheaper price than their competition. If McDonalds sells a lot of unhealthy hamburgers it is because that is what people want. McDonalds can not force a single person to buy their hamburgers. If you don't want one, don't buy it. Simple.

However no business ever made money by providing a product that people don't want. McDonalds is no exception. They sell hamburgers of the type that people want. If enough people wanted seaweed burgers, you can bet McDonalds would market one tomorrow.

McDonalds is doing its job. That is they are providing their investors with a return for their investment. Their job is not to provide you with a custom menu of fast food so as to make your life more convienient.

[aruanan]

What responsibilty does corporate America Have with Obesity?

Absolutely none. No more than a roller blade company has for some idiot skating out in front of a car or the car company for the driver hitting the roller blader.

I am on my way to my weight loss, but what I have discovered is that it is practically impossible to lose weight or maintain unless all the cooking is done at home. I must pack lunches that are healthy, and cook meals that are within reason to keep the weight loss going. It is almost impossible to find fast food that will keep me on pace and even going out to dinner requires careful planning to stay on track.

Virtually all your statements are either untrue, irrelevant, or overlooking the obvious: YOU bear the responsibility for what you put in your mouth. The "problem" is two-fold: 1. there is a huge amount of very cheap, very nutritious food out there and 2. People enjoy recreational eating, especially if they don't have to make any effort to prepare it.

[monday]

"You know, just because a restaurant puts a plate of food in front of you doesn't mean you have to eat it all. Are you a human being or a robot?"

LOL...... but..but... didn't your mom ever tell you about all the starving children in China? hehe..never could figure out how finishing everything on my plate was going to help them, but that was the line.

I think most obesity in America can be traced directly back to parents trying to save a few cents on food by making their kids eat everything on their plates.

[aruanan]

I believe we speak with our pocket books. Almost EVERY restaurant has healthy alternatives. Even McD's has salads, yogurts, grilled chicken sandwiches, bagels for breakfast and even kid's meals are a workable alternative on the Weight Watchers plans. Look, like it or not, they give us what we want and we're willing to pay for it with our money and our health. They have heard that there is a segment of our society who wants healthy alternatives and have answered. Unfortunately, the greater segment is still willing to pay for super, giant, biggie...sizes also.

The "healthy alternatives" are just marketing. In reality, all the food McDonald's serves is both healthy and nutritious. A double Quarter Pounder with cheese is no less healthy than a McDonald's fish sandwich. It's certainly far more nutritious than a garden salad.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Some do. Some don't. The metabolism seems to allow for a lot of rice, without the "calf getting fatted"...