Problem Solving

Obesity and Fast Food Obesity in America is one of the fastest-growing health concerns facing the nation. Many people blame the fast food industry, along with American's frenzied lifestyles, as major contributors to obesity in the country. When fast food was first introduced in the 1950s, the concept was appealing for a number of reasons. The food was quickly prepared, it was tasty, and it was cheap. These attributes still apply to fast food in the country, but there is a major difference between the 1950s and today.

Then, fast food was seen as a "treat," or even a night outing with the family. Today, fast food is an everyday occurrence for most families, and some people even eat most of their meals in fast food restaurants. In fact, fast food often permeates every facet of American's lives, from school cafeterias to office snacks and lunches grabbed on the run. One researcher notes, "Fast food consumption has risen 500% since 1970 and today pervades nearly every segment of society, including some public school cafeterias" (Manning).

Occasional fast food is not a great detriment to the body, but fast food every day can pack on the pounds, as the nation is clearly showing. Fast food is not the only reason so many Americans are overweight, but it is a contributor, and there are some things Americans can do to combat the calories of fast food. One solution is for Americans to stop eating so much fast food.

However, that solution may not be feasible for many families on the run, who simply do not have time to prepare wholesome home cooked meals every day. Fast food is a solution for them, and for many others who simply cannot afford to cook meals at home. Some of America's poor lack even the most basic of cooking utensils, and must survive on fast food when they can afford it.

Clearly, the solution rests both with the obese, who choose to continue to eat fat-laden fries, shakes, and burgers, but also with the industry, who, for the most part, offer little else but salt and fat-laden menu choices. If Americans are to change their lifestyle and become healthy again, the fast food industry must choose to make more choices available to the consumer.

Many fast food restaurants are beginning to realize their limited menus are causing great health problems in the nation, and are adding more healthy alternatives for dashing diners. For example, McDonald's is now offering several salads with low- or no-calorie dressings, and Arby's is advertising "Low-Carby Arby" alternatives and salads to fat-laden sandwiches. However, the industry must do more than that to really reach their consumers.

While most all fast food restaurants post the nutritional content of their menu items on their Web sites, not everyone has access to the Internet. In addition, it is difficult to make choices while quickly ordering a meal at a fast food window. The nutritional content of fast food items should be posted in all restaurants and available at all drive-throughs, so patrons know exactly what they are getting in their meals.

The Harvard study found that children who did not eat fast food ate an average of nearly 200 calories less per day than those who did (Manning), and so, it is clear that most people who eat in fast food restaurants really do not know what they are getting in their meals. For example, many people will order a salad thinking they are eating a healthy meal, but if they include the fat and calories in a packet of.