Christopher DiNicola
Food, Technology, and Other "Necessities"
Food, Technology, and Other "Necessities"
As our phones get smaller, TV’s get slimmer, and pockets shrink quickly our waists have grown tremendously. Philadelphia has struggled greatly with a reputation of obesity and has been given the factual title of fourth fattest city in the America, though at a time it was first. So who or what is to blame for the increasing obesity rates? Is it the food we eat, the technology we have become a part of, or the wants in our lives that we deem as necessity?
When taking a literal look at obesity, the food we eat is the only thing to blame! Put aside the medical illnesses and what else is there to point your finger at? Whether you have taken a nutrition course before or not you know that changing your diet is the key to changing your figure. The decision for many consumers is in the sizes of their wallets on what foods they will choose to eat which in turn determines the size of their belt. While wealthy leaders in the food industry such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Checkers feed their pockets and convey misleading advertisements, middle class consumers look their way for the cheapest way to stay in shape. On the other side of the spectrum, food industry giants such as Acme, Shop Rite, and Super Fresh offer consumers a wider range of healthier food choices and discounts at the larger cost of leisure.
Are food and medical illnesses the most accountable culprits of America’s growing obesity problem? If you are reading this article today then you most likely remember a time in your adolescence when you knocked or called for a friend instead of texted, owned a slingshot you could control in your hand and not through a phone, and asked people for information instead of using Google. The internet boom took place in the mid 90’s and noticeably took over information sharing within 10 years. In the mid 90’s the average rate of obesity in America was between 10%-14% and 10 years later doubled to 20%-24%. In contrast the average weight of a 24” TV has gone from 62lbs in the early 90’s to as low as 13lbs today! We have watched technology grow in power and speed and shrink in size for over 20 years but watched our weight do the opposite.
So, what else can we blame? The question would be better answered if we looked at who and not what. The food we eat may depend on the wages we earn but for all classes of society, aside from those in poverty, there are price competitive healthier choices such as Acme. While on one side it is safe to say that technology plays a big role in obesity it is also safe to say that advances in technology have enhanced just about everything in life, especially productivity and health. If the main culprits of obesity have just as many positives as negatives and if not more then I ask: Who is to blame?
Good article and good play on words. I especially like how you highlighted the fact obesity isn't only linked to big food corps pretty much running America with their false yet persuading ads, but how new technology has made us so much lazier. I personally don't think that there is only one side to blame, but a mixture both. With better technology comes better ideas for these unhealthy food industries to persuade consumers. Altogether, they go hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteSubmitted by Jamiylah Miller
ReplyDeleteI agree with this article. Obesity does stem from the chemicals put in foods nowadays from big companies trying to produce foods faster and bigger. I do also think that it is due to technology as you mentioned in your blog. There's so much entertainment to engage in at home such new televisions and internet that there's less people venturing outside too maybe play a sport for a few minutes or take a walk through the neighborhood. This is a big concern with children because the more time they spend on a video game the less time they're spending outside getting a few minutes of exercise.
American obesity problem, is not a money problem, is a mental problem. Surely we have heard the phrase "USA is the consumer country for excellence". Consumism is not just about buying like crazies in a black Friday, or camping just for having the first exemplary of a tecnological tool. Consumism is a more complex situation because it could affect even our conception of culture and alimentation. It is not a secret that in America subsist the food culture, that more than a culture in most cases turns in a frenzied addiction. Around food all the big events of American culture happens: Thanksgiving, Christmas, 20 of July, etc. all these celebrations has one thing in common: "food", and not just food like aliment, food in colosal proportions.
ReplyDeleteGo to dinner, taking a snack, are part of common american plans. Of each 10 dates, 8 are destinated to the food, and just 2 to cultural programs.
If we considerated all above, we could make us an idea of why obesity is an original problem in USA, and we will get the answer. Until food start to be seen like what it is: "the required sustenance to keep us alive", the obesity problem will not reduce.
In many cases hunger is mental, and is the result of internal or psicological problems. Intern conflicts wich conduces people to be a food-addicted like a way to calm down the anxiety.
Of this way, we could see obesity is a very complex problem, and requires more than a hurried judgment
I partially agree with this article, food may be a global issue known but technology is huge culprit as well. Today's world is brought up to sit back, do nothing and point fingers claiming is someone else's fault instead of taking blame for their own actions, that is why obesity is a known issue in the United States, the more technology advances the more overweight people become addicted to that certain lifestyle certain lifestyle which probably began in their childhood days by making it a habit to eat unhealthy foods without doing any physical activity, or doing some sort of excercise to stay in shape. But this obesity problem also has a lot to do with income, very high levels of income could actually lower weight, some of sort of an increase in income will initially raise weight but very low distribution of income could in fact be a problem causing others to gain the most weight due to to the fact that fast food is the only thing they could afford. I would suggest maximizing some of your topics and looking up more facts on obesity issues that equal the problem of obesity like technology in the United States but overall I like your essay you did great grasping the audiences attention.
ReplyDeleteSubmitted by: James Bang
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting, it's interesting because it revolves around obesity and the social economy. Also America Obesity problem is about not resisting the low prices on easy foods that people can access. I indeed enjoy reading this and also learn some things I never knew before.
I like what Eddy said about levels of income affecting weight. You would think that the people with the most access to technology would be the heaviest, but there are so many wealthy people with access to all the best electronics who don't have any health problems. I think that's probably due to access to other things like nutritious food, awesome health care, and time and space for adequate exercise. Exercise is definitely a luxury!
ReplyDelete.jenn thoman