Fast Food Nation Analysis
In Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser makes the argument that fast food has become an integral part of our society. Schlosser argues in his book that the rise of fast food has badly affected the health of the nation; also that it has impacted negatively on the culture of America and is a bad influence on the rest of the world.
In regard to his view on health, Schlosser demonstrates how fast food can lead to obesity by quoting many sources to demonstrate his point. Obesity, as well as other health problems, has become a leading problem for America. “The United States now has the highest obesity rate… More than half of all American adults and about one-quarter of all American children are now obese or overweight. Those proportions have soared during the last few decades, along with the consumption of fast food.” [1]. In his epilogue Schlosser argues that since the fast food chains have spread overseas, it has made other countries equally unhealthy. The fast food craze has even affected healthier countries like japan, instead of their well-balanced diets, their stomachs are getting larger and they are more prone to sicknesses like heart disease and diabetes.[2] Obesity may be a leading cause for the unhealthiness of the nation, but the production of the food is also part of it. Instead of using free-range cattle, companies now use factories where cattle are cramped into small lots to save money. These tight spaces are where cows sleep in their own feces. Then they are shipped off and made into hamburgers which are most likely ridden with disease. Among these farmers, company employees and scientists are workers who do much more dangerous jobs but due to their positions aren’t given the conditions they deserve. Behind the product comes the way that the industry works and its mechanics, as Schlosser points out through his interview with Kenny Dobbins –a factor employee who worked until he could barely move –that the fast food industry has a poor skilled workforce who are
In regard to his view on health, Schlosser demonstrates how fast food can lead to obesity by quoting many sources to demonstrate his point. Obesity, as well as other health problems, has become a leading problem for America. “The United States now has the highest obesity rate… More than half of all American adults and about one-quarter of all American children are now obese or overweight. Those proportions have soared during the last few decades, along with the consumption of fast food.” [1]. In his epilogue Schlosser argues that since the fast food chains have spread overseas, it has made other countries equally unhealthy. The fast food craze has even affected healthier countries like japan, instead of their well-balanced diets, their stomachs are getting larger and they are more prone to sicknesses like heart disease and diabetes.[2] Obesity may be a leading cause for the unhealthiness of the nation, but the production of the food is also part of it. Instead of using free-range cattle, companies now use factories where cattle are cramped into small lots to save money. These tight spaces are where cows sleep in their own feces. Then they are shipped off and made into hamburgers which are most likely ridden with disease. Among these farmers, company employees and scientists are workers who do much more dangerous jobs but due to their positions aren’t given the conditions they deserve. Behind the product comes the way that the industry works and its mechanics, as Schlosser points out through his interview with Kenny Dobbins –a factor employee who worked until he could barely move –that the fast food industry has a poor skilled workforce who are