FastFoodProblemsandResponsibilities

ZhangJing

People are living in a world that acquires almost everyone to chase efficiency and speed.The real inner quality of daily life is not approximately taken into peoples consideration.Fast food is one of the common model reactions of this rapid developing society.Recently，its getting popular that people would rather have fast food to save time for other extra work.Problems and public concern are following that kind of life condition and someone or something should be put blame on for this.

Obesity holds a unique place in the public health and medical fields as it is both a risk factor for other health outcomes and a health outcome all its own.Obesity is a terrible killer to peoples health all around the world.Large amounts of money and time have been spent to deal with overweight and related disease.It affects not just individuals but society as whole.“Its easier，now more than ever，to become fat.” said by Daniel E.Harmon （2007）.

From my point of view，its no doubt that fast food restaurants are targets to blame by public opinion for current obesity problem and they are expected to answer for it.

There is rapidly accumulating evidence that individuals who frequently eat at fast food restaurants are more likely to be overweight and obese （Kathleen Y.Wolin and Jennifer M.Petrelli，2009）.What the food they order and the atmosphere that customers share are the main consequences.This sort of fast food is mostly cooked by frying or baking with hot oil and unhealthy flavoring agent that people arent acquainted with，which would probably damage the nutrition inside the original materials and lead to high calories that makes people put on weight.What the faithful fast food consumers are fond of is that they would get what they want on the menu and quickly finish their meal.That can do harm to our eating habit and turn out to be a common selling method by constantly exchanging customers.

Worse though，fast food restaurants have been marketing everyone，especially children through fabulous advertisement.Children have been targeted by junk food and soda manufacturers since the early twentieth century.The Cracker Jack Company，for instance，inserted toys in their product boxes，and gum manufacturers placed baseball and other sports cards in their packages （Andrew F.Smith，2006）.

In addition，fast food restaurants like to produce funny cartoon characters，derivative comics and other small gifts linked up with some set meals to catch youngs eyeballs.By doing this，fast food restaurant can build up a positive，interesting image and puzzle children who is lack of complete distinguishing ability.Using collectable toys to attract young customers remains existent these days，by Mc Donald，KFC，Hamburgers，Dunkin Donuts and other fast food restaurants.According to a survey reported in America，lots of families cannot afford to send their children to camps that are usually useless for helping children lose weight but cost about $1，000 a week （Daniel E.Harmon，2007）.

However，its not right to blame fast food restaurants totally.Why fast food is so catch on is not only caused by restaurants，other factors like the public media，advertisement companies，individual food choice，all contribute.

First of all，television channels play a significant part in food advertisement，as the fast food trade has been developing.Public media like TV is the simplest and most direct way to attach children who are more vulnerable to commercials，which they view less critically than adults.A large quantity of profits would be gain during this process.Those should be criticized for abetting the expending of fast food and makes a bad effect on young consumers in how to choose diet.

Whats more，advertisement companies cooperate with fast food restaurants for benefiting each other.Fast food restaurant create the original idea and advertisement make it easier to enter consumers hearts by beautifying the food packages，printing countless discount tickets and posters，editing attractive short videos and so on.They sometimes cant reach to one point but always live with each other to make the fast food products （the advertisements） widely sold.

Moreover，this is a realist vision that accepts that fast food is never going away，but that farmers markets，home cooked meal，and a passion for fresh，nonindustrial tomatoes that actually have taste and texture are never going to disappear either（Richard R.Wilk，2006）.Eating is not taken seriously enough while people are facing kinds of social pressures.But in some cases，individuals still have the right to manage and take care of themselves.According to a journal of the American Dietetic Association （2003），consumers should be aware that consumption of high-fat fast food may contribute to higher energy and fat intake，and lower intake of healthful nutrients.

Though fast food problems result in complicated reasons，restaurants are playing the worst role in the fast food trade compared with the other three aspects.What should be admitted in the first place is that fast food businessman，as an essential part in the whole catering industry，should pay more attention to public health by trying to be in-depth understanding of peoples eating habits，attending professional cooking curriculums and updating the cooking skills of every chief.In the second place，healthy eating tendencies should be conducted.The last but not the least，as the huge obesity problem of children is going worse，in some cases，the reflection should be done by all the businessmen.Theres a view in catering industry that fast food trade should increase science and technology investments in product R & D as well as build up a modern product system and providing model that fit childrens eating habit.

Considering what have been mentioned above，we may reasonably come to the conclusion that analyzing the consequences that lead fast food so catch on cant just from only one angle.Its advisable to let the fast food restaurants with their owners take most of the responsibilities and more corresponding measures must be taken.

Reference：

[1]Andrew F.Smith，2006.Encyclopedia of Junk Food And Fast Food.88 Post Road West，Westport：Greenwood Publishing Group.

[2]Daniel E.Harmon，2007.Obesity.1st ed.29 East 21st Street，New York：The Rosen Publishing Group，Inc.

[3]Kathleen Y.Wolin and Jennifer M.Petrelli，2009.Obesity.[e-book]88 Post Road West，Westport：Greenwood Publishing Group.Available at：Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data[Accessed 10 June 2013].

[4]Richard R.Wilk，2006.Fast Food，Slow Food：The Cultural Economy of the Global Food System.Estover Road，Plymouth PL6 7PY，United Kingdom：The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group，Inc.

[5]Paeratakul S，F(xiàn)erdinand DP，Champagne CM，Ryan DH，Bray GA，2003.Fast-food consumption among US adults and children：dietary and nutrient intake profile.[online] USA：Journal of the American Dietetic Association.Available at：Europe PubMed Central[Accessed 10 June 2013].