Fast Food Gone Bad

Abstract
Obesity is an ongoing problem throughout the United States. Americans eat a lot of fast food these days and are accustomed to the convenience and taste of fast food. Fast food restaurants are still offering the same unhealthy food with some rational changes throughout their menu. Parents may be responsible for their children’s health, but with the convenience of fast food it just makes it easier. It is no surprise how America is getting fatter each day and who to blame is still undecided.

Fast Food Gone Bad
Introduction
Obesity has become an outbreak that is encompassing all over the United States these days; it is affecting both adults and children. The marketing of fast food has gained its power and has used its magic to assist the climbing rate of obesity, with many Americans often eating at fast food establishments. Fast food availability has increased tremendously and the decrease of many Americans preparing their own nutritious meals at home; it is evident that many people are choosing to eat at fast food restaurants on a routinely basis. Many suggest that to help fight obesity, fast food chains should offer a healthier menu for consumers and should be prohibited from marketing to children. Fast food restaurants market to children because it is the easiest way to get consumers through the door; with children not being educated enough about nutrition. It makes it easier for children to be obsessed with the urge for fast food as a daily diet. Obesity puts you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and many other serious health problems (Obesity, 2007). Obesity has developed into an extreme dietary disarray and the main motive is generally fast food.
Overview of MarketingScene story
The Marketing Scene that I read was Gluttnoy 101, which is regarding the controversy of over-loaded burgers that many Americans are over indulging on and the reason many are becoming obese. Carl’s Jr. has created these gorging hamburgers that include toppings such as potato chips and hot dogs, when these burgers are already surged with fats and cholesterol. Many Americans are obese and blame their obesity on the fast food industry, as well as, the lack of exercise. Regardless, fast food restaurants are proud to maintain the obesity of many Americans and don’t have much interest of helping America slim down. Documentaries have been produced to show consumers what awful, unhealthy food is being consumed and enjoyed; as they already didn’t know. Even with these documentaries shown to the consumers did it change the habits of eating or lessening the fat intake; it only surged the sales in the fast food industry.
• Carl’s Jr. Double $6 Burger: 1520 calories and 111 grams of fat
• Hardee’s Monster Thickburger: 1410 calories and 107 grams of fat
• BK’s Triple Whopper with Cheese: 1230 calories and 82 grams of fat
• Wendy’s Baconator: 830 calories and 51 grams of fat
• McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese: 740 calories and 42 grams of fat
(Segal)
Salads were introduced to the fast foods consumers, but were really just a publicity stunt to fake that fast food was headed in a different direction. Americans are obsessed with, know where to get their fix of overloaded burgers, and do not need others to tell them otherwise. No matter what the fast food burger restaurants set free for the fast food junkies, make note it will be delicious, fattening and made famous by the many people who will criticize it.
Replies posted to the story
The world of food is a scary place, although food is a necessity for people it is a cause of death as well. Many of us have let food control who we are today, instead of people controlling the food. I enjoy food, but I have come to realize that I cannot let the food I eat control my life; it is I who needs to control me. Food is marketed so well that people see a greasy burger on TV and all of a sudden have the energy to go through the drive-thru and order grease to go. Fast food restaurants are just selling what is making money and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that many people will eat a piece of meat between two buns overloaded with extra calories. Society has let the food industry rule the world and now many people are screaming for help. We see kids that are obese and parents who are paving the ground for bad health. I mean we need to control ourselves and realize that these fast food joints don’t care about our health; they just care about how much money they can get from us. Food is a necessity, but the type of food you eat is not a requirement, it is a choice.
Many people that responded to the article had the same views of how people should control and be responsible for their intake of food. People know how fast foods are unhealthy, but will not stop consuming fatty foods and are only making the children of this nation obese. Parents are responsible for their children’s health and should monitor what their kids are consuming to prevent bad health for their children’s future. The fast food industry will not change their business, so it is up to the people to educate themselves and be more in control of what they eat.
Ethical implications
The question has been asked so many times, who is to blame for this obesity epidemic that our society faces? We know obesity is a problem and why is still marketed or why do consumers still crave it? The food industry provides what consumers enjoy and it has come to be that Americans enjoy the “bigger is better” and great taste of unhealthy foods. Consumers have many concerns about how well the American marketing system serves their interest (Armstrong & Kotler, 2006, p. 495). Marketers provide the advertisements that keep luring the customers to their fast food restaurant, but with all the resources that have proved high calorie foods to be unhealthy the consumers keep wanting more. These days, time is everything and parents continue to run into the same ethical dilemma of taking the easy route and feeding their kids fast food. The other option is that consumers can lose their down time and prepare healthier meals at home or dine at better quality, but more expensive restaurants. With law suits rising across America, blaming the fast food industry for marketing unhealthy foods that assisted in this mess of obesity, many fast food companies started to advertise their ingredients up front, so consumers viewed what they were eating. This allowed the customers to make their selection of foods, knowing what unhealthy ingredients were being consumed – know hidden surprises. Even with this being available to customers up front, they continue on the surge of eating unhealthy and buying the bigger combo meals. It is no surprise that fast foods are unhealthy and is the cause of so many health issues, but it is not stopping consumers from indulging on the taste they love best.
Managerial advice for changes
This industry can become complicated if the whole nation was wise enough to stop the madness and step into the right track of health; but it won’t. So some advice I would consider for a manger in this fast food industry would be keep the food coming, this is a business and offer options that will satisfy those who are willing to take a step forward to change their bad eating habits. McDonald’s has worked to improve its fare and make its menu and its customers healthier (Armstrong & Kotler, 2006, p. 499). Like many fast food restaurants continue the sale of fruits, salads or alternatives for bread, which many have implemented into their menus. Keep selling alternative food items for the kids, this is our future and they need to stay healthy, so they may one succeed us. Do not over emphasize that the high calorie products are better, let the consumer decide for themselves; there will always be people who crave that unhealthy burger or food advertised. Should the product remain on the market?
Why change what is earning millions each year? Fast food companies are profiting head over heels and I do think it should stay on the market with the limitations of advertising. Do not allow the advertisements to grab the minds of children, but keep it an option for the few times that allow for this fast food nation. The fast food industry serves what is not healthy and many people know that, so it is their option to choose what is eaten. How can someone blame a business for their mistakes?
People who are concerned about the effects of fast food and obesity can also do something about it. There are many healthy fast food choices available. Fast food companies also do a good job of making nutritional information available, which can help a person make choices about what and where they eat (Schoenstadt, 2007).
It is not hard to understand that fast food is unhealthy and if you over consume there are fatal consequences. The people need to change and figure out what is best for them. No has put a gun to their head to force them to eat that over sized meal.
Conclusion
There are many sides to this topic, but obesity is a problem and it can only change when that specific person makes a change in their life. It starts with educating our children and our society that not all that is eaten is healthy for you; taking that first step can make a difference. Many people can blame who they want for obesity, but putting the blame on everyone but themselves is not fixing the issues. Fast food has come a long way and has taken different strategies to change the way of serving consumers, for better and for worse, but the consumers need to take the step to change themselves. References
Armstrong, G., Kotler, P. (2006). Marketing: an Introduction. Upper Saddle River, N.J.:
Prentice Hall.
Obesity. (2007, May 9). Health Library. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 30, 2008. CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00314.html.
Schoenstadt, Arthur MD. (2007, October 14). Fast Food and Obesity. May 30, 2008. eMedTV: Health Information Brought to Life. http://weight-loss.emedtv.com/obesity/fast-food-and-obesity.html.
Segal, Dr.Sabrina. (n.d.). Controversy in Ads: Gluttony 101. May 31, 2008. The Marketing Scene. http://www.themarketingscene.com/index.php/site/topic/gluttony_101.

References: Armstrong, G., Kotler, P. (2006). Marketing: an Introduction. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Obesity. (2007, May 9). Health Library. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 30, 2008. CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00314.html. Schoenstadt, Arthur MD. (2007, October 14). Fast Food and Obesity. May 30, 2008. eMedTV: Health Information Brought to Life. http://weight-loss.emedtv.com/obesity/fast-food-and-obesity.html. Segal, Dr.Sabrina. (n.d.). Controversy in Ads: Gluttony 101. May 31, 2008. The Marketing Scene. http://www.themarketingscene.com/index.php/site/topic/gluttony_101.