In today’s American society, it is clear that obesity is a problem. When you turn on the television, I bet your bottom dollar that you’re going to see a commercial ad for a fast food joint. Whether its Burger King or McDonalds I guarantee you are going to see an ad. Considering the fact that obesity is a recognized epidemic in America, why aren’t there as many commercials advertising organic fruits and vegetables? I mean, the average American sees 3,000 ads on a day-to-day basis. It is safe to say that sense so many of those ads are fast food related, that there are psychological factors that comes into play when making food selections. I know that whenever I see a Whopper on television, I’m sitting there thinking, “Wow, that looks really good, I really want a Whopper right now.” Perhaps if we saw more ads for organic carrots, maybe, just maybe, we'll all miraculously crave carrots? In essence we fall prey to the tactics marketers use to exploit the power of our subconscious.
Isn’t it funny how its so much cheaper to eat unhealthy than it is to eat healthy? Its understandable though, I mean more is invested in preparing those organic foods. Lets face it, a family of 6 on a low income can not have an organic 3 course meal, 3 times a day, 7 times a week. Its just not realistic; they can’t afford it. When that same family can go to McDonalds and spend 15 dollars on the dollar menu, every person gets a burger, a side, and a drink. Eat healthily for one day, or make sure my family doesn’t starve the rest of the week by eating unhealthily? I think the choice is obvious.
All of the programs that are for overweight people (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig. . .) have created a business and are making a profit off of this growing epidemic. People join in hopes of losing weight. Maybe they lose weight, maybe they don’t. Either way it seems to me that in order to continue to make a profit, these programs will intentionally make it so that these people will have to remain a member in order to maintain their ideal weight. In addition to that, there are so many popular drugs on the market promising weight loss. Drugs that operate similar to the weight loss programs I described previously.
In conclusion, obesity is tied to capitalism; our American economic system that values supply and demand and essentially making a profit. The ads we see definitely play an essential role. These ads are repetitive therefore take a toll on our psyche. Low-income families cannot afford to eat healthy regularly. The obesity rates continue to go up, yet the prices on organic foods remain the same high price. There is too much money that is flowing into businesses like Weight Watchers or the drugs that encourage weight loss, in order for them to be permanently effective. Obviously making a profit is the real priority in American society, not the overall health of American citizens.
It is easy for people to say “Ewww, that person is disgusting,” or “That person is just lazy,” when they see a fat individual. Consider who is really the cause of this obesity epidemic. In essence, are fat people essentially victims of our capitalist society?
The government will subsidize big meat corporations and "unhealthy" instead of vegetables and famers, making fast food a lot cheaper than organic food. If fruits and veggies were more readily available and a good price, we wouldn't worry so much about the food we eat. It is not anyones fault for not being able to afford organic food except for our government and major food industries. And our job market. And other factors. But the point is, sometimes the money you spend on health care because of eating unhealthily can amount to more than just buying organic food. It is all connected and complicated :(
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ReplyDeleteThank you Vicki for commenting on my blog, here is my response: People living in a lower socioeconomic status focus on the here and now. Which bills are going to get paid today? What is my family going to eat today? How will I get to work today? Besides the luxury of having health care, a luxury that is sometimes but on the back burner in families with lower socioeconomic statuses, health concerns are really not a priority until they arrive. People living pay check to pay check are not MAINLY concerned with the long term effect of eating unhealthy foods. Their main concern is that their family does not go hungry for the day. If organic food was more affordable yes more people would be able to afford it and yes more people would purchase organic products.
ReplyDeleteT.F. I'm not sure what you major or minor is but there is an upper level psych class that I am currently in that would be right up your alley! It's psych 480, food and hunger, with Professor Ozurak. If you have time in your schedule I would deffinately take a look at it.
ReplyDeleteIn the first half of the semester in that class all we talked About were eating locally, choosing organics, and the advertising of fat food and target lower socioeconomic classes and children. I agree that the excessive advertising of McDonald's and other fast food chains, corrupt our ability to make the healthier choice. On the other hand I feel like mass advertising of organic carrots may of have the same effect haha.
I also agree on price difference of healthy food and non healthy food. Unfortunately, I do not understand the politics of the cost of food. So I can sit here and be frustrated because poor people can't afford proper healthy nutrition, but I don't know what it's like that, or what we could do to change it.
ReplyDeleteActually Dayna, my major at the moment is Psych! I will definitely look into that class, Food and Hunger with Professor Ozurak, it sounds really interesting. Thank you and I agree completely with your comments.
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