Obesity on the Rise

While walking to McDonald's, David Zincenko spots Radley Balko in a restaurant and intentionally sits at the same table as him...

David Zincenko: Hello, Radley Balko. I'm David Zincenko.

Radley Balko: What are you doing?

David Zincenko: The fast-food chain is the primary factor of obesity in the United States, since it sells numerous unhealthy products to the American people.

Radley Balko: Oh jeez, not this conversation. Okay, I agree and disagree with what you just said.

David Zincenko: How can you agree and disagree? Can you please explain your reasoning?

Radley Balko: Well, I do agree with the idea that eating fast-food products can increase one's body mass index, or BMI. But I do not agree with the fact that fast-food companies are solely

responsible for one's obesity.

David Zincenko: How is it not the fast-food company's fault that made one's health at risk of obesity. These companies promote food products that are significantly high in calories.

Radley Balko: I agree with the products being served in high calories. But isn't it also the consumer's responsibility to eat the product or not? The consumer can choose to eat a meal that is healthy and nutritious or a meal that is unhealthy and unwholesome.

David Zincenko: I can see your point, but most consumers do not have the luxury in eating healthy food products. Some healthy food products are way too expense for people.

Radley Balko: How so?

David Zincenko: Well for example, a pound of apples might cost between three to four dollars at a regular grocery. This might not be as sufficient as a fast-food meal consisting of a hamburger and large fries, which could even cost around three to four dollars as well. So poorer families have the disadvantage in this case because they are forced to purchase these kinds of products.

Radley Balko: Couldn't the consumer learn to exercise more often if he/she is going to eat unhealthy food products in order to keep a balance?

David Zincenko: That's not the point. It isn't even relevant to the topic at hand.

Radley Balko: Actually, it is.

Thesis:

            Obesity is on the rise for various reasons. One reason could be that people are eating large amounts of fast-food products, such as McDonald's or Burger King. A second reason could be that people are just eating too much food in general. Another reason could be that people are not exercising as much as they are supposed to. Whatever the reason might be, the fact is that obesity levels are increasing at an alarming rate. David Zincenko is somewhat accurate in that big fast-food companies are knowingly serving their customers fatting food products. However, it is technically the consumer's responsibility and decision in eating the food product, which was what Radley Balko was referring to.