14 ms·

Fast food and obesity in developing countries

100 points by ezhil 9y ago

faghdfuiahsdf 9y ago
Is there actually any agreement among scientists that there is a causal relationship between fast food consumption and obesity? I mean at an epidemiological level -- obviously if I eat ten Whoppers a day, I'm going to have a problem. My favorite recent hypothesis for the obesity epidemic is the increase in snacking [1]. It seems very easy to believe that highly preserved snacks are becoming more available in these countries at the same time as fast food does. [1]: https://www.vox.com/2015/2/17/8051367/obesity-snacks https://www.vox.com/2015/2/17/8051367/obesity-snacks
- nickbauman 9y ago
  I'd bet if you're an adult and regularly eating processed, ready-to-eat food out of a bag or a box the chances that you're already obese is probably many times more than the overall population.
- ohazi 9y ago
  If you had to point at something in the fast food category, my money would be on the insanely portioned sugary drinks. Maybe fries too, because people buy combo meals and then scarf everything down without stopping to see whether or not they actually feel full. If you go to a fast food restaurant and get just a burger and water, I don't think it would actually be that bad for you, even if you ate like this more often than you should.
  - greggman 9y ago
    my anecdote: I switched from coke to diet coke and stopped eating the fries. No other changes to lifestyle. Lost 30lbs (210 -> 180)
    - thisisit 9y ago
      In how many months ?
      - greggman 9y ago
        Maybe 6-9 months? It's been a while since I started. I've generally stuck to it for 22 years. Twice during those years I've had a period of regular exercise of some form and gotten down another 10 or so lbs, around ~170 but then I stop and it goes back to 180. I'm 5'10"
  - dagw 9y ago
    my money would be on the insanely portioned sugary drinks. When visiting the States I also found that the US tradition of offering free refills on sodas led to me drinking more soda that I otherwise would have.
- wallace_f 9y ago
  A teacher lost ~60lbs on a McDonalds-only diet.(1) As the article states, the reasons for obesity are "complex," and 'involve blaming society, and everyone else' for individual choices. The most interesting thing about this topic is why does if fit entirely into the "can't blame them category," when there are still so many examples--albeit on a diminishing list--of other personal choices that one may be acceptably villified for--many of which don't even involve environmental destruction and animal rights abuses? Yes culture, wealth, consumer products, job opportunities, and corn subsidies all participate; but perhaps the biggest problem is one of personal responsibility. By contrast, in Japan obesity wins you an automatic trip to counseling(2). 1-https://www.today.com/health/man-loses-56-pounds-after-eating-only-mcdonalds-six-months-2D79329158 https://www.today.com/health/man-loses-56-pounds-after-eatin... 2-https://www.bu.edu/themovement/2011/05/29/the-fats-on-fire/ https://www.bu.edu/themovement/2011/05/29/the-fats-on-fire/
  - greggman 9y ago
    I think Japan is a great example of personal responsibility. Food in Japan or at least the major cities is ridiculously easy to come by. Convenience stores every 2-3 minutes open 24 hours with loads of food, snacks, pastries, donuts, ice cream, liquor, beer. Liquor and Beer are as low as $1.20 a can. All the super markets now also carry tons of ready to eat foods and meals (because convenience stores were eating into their market) as well as chips, desserts, liquor, etc... Many more restaurants than anywhere else I've lived are open until morning. And there is fast food of all sorts as well, way more bread/pastries stores than just about anywhere on the planet. And yes, they have tons of greasy salty and sugary foods available. And yet Japanese aren't nearly as obese. That would seem to suggest either genetics or self control. Certain things help like often (not always) portions are smaller but you can always buy 2+
    - quwert95 9y ago
      Just expanding on your idea here - Japan also has a million times more vending machines as the US and they're full of Pepsi/Coke products, fruit juices, energy drinks, and even ice cream or beer. At 2am you can get your carb fix across the street from your apartment for a measly 100yen.
- will_brown 9y ago
  >Is there actually any agreement among scientists that there is a causal relationship between fast food consumption and obesity? Yes and no...part of the problem, much like cigarettes there are many industry paid physicians and scientists happy to create confusion and dispel truth. And just like the cigarette industry who took their carcinogenic products to countries with less regulation, fast food and sugar industries are doing the same. First fast food is high calorie and low in nutrients. Its also high in carbs which tends to trigger insulin production, insulin enlarges cell size in the body including fat cells priming a body for obesity (just add excess calories here). Additionally, fast food is notoriously inflammatory (sugar, grain fed meat, gluten, additives, saturated fat, BPA type toxins, preservatives, fried, etc...) and inflammation is linked to obesity, of course coming full circle you will find scientists paid by the sugar/fast food industries happy to claim its the other way around and that obesity is linked to metabolic inflammation. I will highlight the comment below regarding the teacher on the McD's diet for 6 months who lost ~60lbs is the type of misinformation the food industry thrives off. Just to highlight, the individual lost 56lbs but was still classified as obese, the individual limited himself to 2,000 calories per day (which can easily be exceeded in a single meal) and the individual walked 45 minuted everyday, but there is no information pre-McD diet.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- halotrope 9y ago
  In his lecture “sugar the bitter truth” [1] Robert Lustig talks about the obesity epidemic starting in the 70s. His hypothesis is that the shift from high fat to high sugar diets and excessive use of high fructose corn syrup are likely one of the primary causes for the obesity rates we see now in the western world. It is quite insightful and full of data. [1] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
- jpatokal 9y ago
  It's not that straightforward. In Thailand, compulsive snacking is a national obsession and you can't throw a rock outside without hitting five food vendors selling delicious food in small portions. Yet most Thais, particularly women, are incredibly skinny by Western standards.
  - sageabilly 9y ago
    "delicious food in small portions." Also probably homemade on the spot by someone who really knows how to make it taste amazing. A small portion of something well made, from good ingredients, that tastes amazing will satisfy much more thoroughly than something that's nothing but carbs, sugar, and MSG.
  - skolsuper 9y ago
    +1 Also, I've seen discussion of "fat-shaming" elsewhere ITT, and I think it's relevant, but shame isn't the right word. Seems like Asian cultures are frank about discussion of weight (and salary, and other things), but without the taboo of talking about it there isn't the associated shame of being talked about, in my experience.
yalogin 9y ago
What is about fast food that increases waist lines? Is it just the fact that its cheap so people consume more? At the end of the day its just calories right? So do people tend to over eat when it comes to fast food?
- fastfoodie 9y ago
  So uh... sugar, fat, and salt are extremely addictive. Fast food also doesn't make you feel full like proper food does, so not only do you crave it, but you never quite get enough. Yes, at the end of the day it's just calories, but they're addictive, empty calories. Quality and type of food matters. 1,000 calories of Big Mac is not 1,000 calories of fruits and vegetables.
  - nradov 9y ago
    Sugar, fat, and salt are not literally addictive. At least not like nicotine, ethanol, and opioids. Hyperbole doesn't help here.
    - fastfoodie 9y ago
      Googling is a great skill: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/
    - throwawayoe8 9y ago
      Googling is a great skill: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/
      - Aloha 9y ago
        using multiple throwaway accounts isn't really conducive to proving your case, it just makes you look like a troll.
    - poisonarena 9y ago
      I dunno, have you ever had a bunch of delicious burger king or mcdonalds after a hangover?? now imagine being addicted to alcohol
TwelveNights 9y ago
Honestly, the cleanliness and the "elegant" appearance of fast food restaurants are factors that add a lot to the allure. I noticed this in China where even places like Starbucks can really stand out in comparison to the other venues surrounding it. Taste aside, people really do value the safety of the food and the amenities that the restaurant provides. These are reasons why I think Western fast food restaurants are able to take root so quickly and in so many places. There's the atmosphere that extends beyond just the food that's sold.
- fastfoodie 9y ago
  Sure, I bet it has nothing to do with the fact that it's quick, cheap, and addictive. Poor people must really love the elegant atmosphere of their local KFC.
  - TwelveNights 9y ago
    The atmosphere adds a lot extra value. There's obviously cheaper food options available that are as convenient available to them too. As for addictiveness, I'd say this is where fast food shines unfortunately. That's really only because it tastes good, though.
    - WalterBright 9y ago
      You can get a healthy meal at McD's: the quarter pounder sandwich, side salad, and a cup 'o water. Nobody says you gotta buy the coke, fries and shake.
      - tertius 9y ago
        Nobody sure is convincing for a lot of people.
  - chickenfries 9y ago
    Those are for sure factors, but McDonalds just a pretty good place to hang out if you're poor, especially in the developing world. Lots of them have free wi-fi, power outlets. They're air conditioned / heated. You can basically hang out all day for next to free. Really, it has all of the amenities of somewhere like Starbucks, just at a lower price point. I'm not a fast food apologist, just saying that you're missing the perspective the gp is trying to bring.
gexla 9y ago
Some of the reason for obesity might be fast food but some of it is just rising incomes along with unique cultural things. For example, in the Philippines, you look healthy if you are chubby and people show concern if you are skinny. People encourage you to eat until you feel full. The food is generally fattening, but poor Filipino's can only afford enough that they won't get fat. Much of the fattening dishes are reserved for special events. Back in the day, a bottle of coke was a special thing. Now people can afford to keep the fridge always stocked. ETA: Fast food restaurants are relatively high-end. Even then, the food is relatively expensive. I see a lot of Filipino's ordering drinks and then sharing the biggest order of fries on the menu.
thisisit 9y ago
One thing people keep thinking is this is somehow a "poor" people problem. This is true when looked through a developed country citizen perspective - in terms of lifestyle. But please read the article before applying the same standard here. In developing countries KFC and McDonald are costly. Not everyone, specially the poor, can afford it. For the people who can afford it, the upscale nature, clean-looking environment and the lure of eating something "western" is the driving factor.
- furqs 9y ago
  As a person who moved from Pakistan to Germany, I can confirm. In Pakistan an average person will only eat fast once in a while, on occasions like a birthday party as the article suggests; in developed countries on the other hand fast food is a cheap no-brainer lunch and dinner option
NiklasMort 9y ago
Same story in Asia. Go to Thai cities and be surprised how many overweight children and adults you'll see. It's not just fast food, its anything processed. In India you often see kids eat raw instant noodles as snacks.
luvs2gorge 9y ago
It's sad there are still many (including in this thread) who minimize the role of fast food outlets in raising obesity rates by appealing to some moralized and frankly religious notion of "personal responsibility." What the science tells us is that if you put people in different environments, they will behave differently. Especially when the reward is designed to be as compelling as possible. Obesity is one of the greatest epidemics in the world today. There is no reason why anyone should have to compete against thousands of food scientists trying to tear down their willpower as a matter of daily course. Their failure to do so is in no way a failure of "personal responsibility." It is a failure of the designers of their world to be on their side in the first place. To assert otherwise is not only cruelly ideological, but utterly unscientific.
- ryanx435 9y ago
  Every one's a victim, eh? Let's just make all "fast food" illegal. does that include subway and Jimmy John's? What about Chipotle? How about pizza? Or Chinese takeout? What about Applebee's? Their burgers are pretty bad for you. Also we'd probably have to include kfc. Actually any place that sells deep fried chicken. So I guess we should just outlaw all restaurants because people have no agency and can't make their own decisions. /S But on a serious note, there are healthy people in America that exist within the same environment that you are blaming obesity on and that face the same societal pressures. Explain to me their magic that prevents them from being obese.
  - pixl97 9y ago
    Obesity rates have gone up dramatically to the point that the majority of the population is considered obese,obviously the part that isn't obese is a statistical outlier, and not the norm.
- darawk 9y ago
  The fact that in an experiment people changed their behavior based on environmental cues does not disprove the notion of personal responsibility. If you think you have disproven personal responsibility, then you have disproven free will. And if you have disproven free will, then who is your comment trying to convince? That being said, the truth of this particular matter lies somewhere in the middle. It's personal responsibility and it's exploitation on the part of the fast food chains. Saying it's all one or all the other is equally wrong.
elorm 9y ago
Ghana, a coastal African country of more than 28 million still etched with pockets of extreme poverty Ugh New York times. On the issue of obesity however, like someone has already addressed in the thread, has more to do with individual choices than the availability of fast food joints. There have been arguments about people who frequent Macs or KFC everyday of their lives, and have managed to stay fit/in shape(Though not an argument for overall good health).
PeterStuer 9y ago
Notice how all the US diets are always about consuming 'different' and never about consuming 'less'? I'll leave it at that as the food industry has successfully manipulated public discourse pointing out the emperor has no clothes to be taboo.
- craptocurrency 9y ago
  Fast food or so called junk foods originate and consumed mostly in USA where there are so many obese people. Should we fix issue here rather than traveling 1000s miles to start unnecessary conversation?
- NumberCruncher 9y ago
  Consuming 'less' in general is not an option.
  - NeutronBoy 9y ago
    Why?
    - NumberCruncher 9y ago
      Telling people that they need less not more does not make you revenue. Except if you are selling self help books.
craptocurrency 9y ago
Fast food or so called junk foods originate and consumed mostly in USA where there are so many obese people. Should we fix issue here rather than traveling 1000s miles to start unnecessary conversation?
smn1234 9y ago
Could availability and ease of purchase of alcohol play a role here ? Alcohol has plenty of calories e.g. beer and wine. Used to be you didn’t have it as readily available at a corner store.

100 points by ezhil 9y ago

Is there actually any agreement among scientists that there is a causal relationship between fast food consumption and obesity? I mean at an epidemiological level -- obviously if I eat ten Whoppers a day, I'm going to have a problem. My favorite recent hypothesis for the obesity epidemic is the increase in snacking [1]. It seems very easy to believe that highly preserved snacks are becoming more available in these countries at the same time as fast food does. [1]: https://www.vox.com/2015/2/17/8051367/obesity-snacks https://www.vox.com/2015/2/17/8051367/obesity-snacks

nickbauman 9y ago
I'd bet if you're an adult and regularly eating processed, ready-to-eat food out of a bag or a box the chances that you're already obese is probably many times more than the overall population.
ohazi 9y ago
If you had to point at something in the fast food category, my money would be on the insanely portioned sugary drinks. Maybe fries too, because people buy combo meals and then scarf everything down without stopping to see whether or not they actually feel full. If you go to a fast food restaurant and get just a burger and water, I don't think it would actually be that bad for you, even if you ate like this more often than you should.
- greggman 9y ago
  my anecdote: I switched from coke to diet coke and stopped eating the fries. No other changes to lifestyle. Lost 30lbs (210 -> 180)
  - thisisit 9y ago
    In how many months ?
    - greggman 9y ago
      Maybe 6-9 months? It's been a while since I started. I've generally stuck to it for 22 years. Twice during those years I've had a period of regular exercise of some form and gotten down another 10 or so lbs, around ~170 but then I stop and it goes back to 180. I'm 5'10"
- dagw 9y ago
  my money would be on the insanely portioned sugary drinks. When visiting the States I also found that the US tradition of offering free refills on sodas led to me drinking more soda that I otherwise would have.
wallace_f 9y ago
A teacher lost ~60lbs on a McDonalds-only diet.(1) As the article states, the reasons for obesity are "complex," and 'involve blaming society, and everyone else' for individual choices. The most interesting thing about this topic is why does if fit entirely into the "can't blame them category," when there are still so many examples--albeit on a diminishing list--of other personal choices that one may be acceptably villified for--many of which don't even involve environmental destruction and animal rights abuses? Yes culture, wealth, consumer products, job opportunities, and corn subsidies all participate; but perhaps the biggest problem is one of personal responsibility. By contrast, in Japan obesity wins you an automatic trip to counseling(2). 1-https://www.today.com/health/man-loses-56-pounds-after-eating-only-mcdonalds-six-months-2D79329158 https://www.today.com/health/man-loses-56-pounds-after-eatin... 2-https://www.bu.edu/themovement/2011/05/29/the-fats-on-fire/ https://www.bu.edu/themovement/2011/05/29/the-fats-on-fire/
- greggman 9y ago
  I think Japan is a great example of personal responsibility. Food in Japan or at least the major cities is ridiculously easy to come by. Convenience stores every 2-3 minutes open 24 hours with loads of food, snacks, pastries, donuts, ice cream, liquor, beer. Liquor and Beer are as low as $1.20 a can. All the super markets now also carry tons of ready to eat foods and meals (because convenience stores were eating into their market) as well as chips, desserts, liquor, etc... Many more restaurants than anywhere else I've lived are open until morning. And there is fast food of all sorts as well, way more bread/pastries stores than just about anywhere on the planet. And yes, they have tons of greasy salty and sugary foods available. And yet Japanese aren't nearly as obese. That would seem to suggest either genetics or self control. Certain things help like often (not always) portions are smaller but you can always buy 2+
  - quwert95 9y ago
    Just expanding on your idea here - Japan also has a million times more vending machines as the US and they're full of Pepsi/Coke products, fruit juices, energy drinks, and even ice cream or beer. At 2am you can get your carb fix across the street from your apartment for a measly 100yen.
will_brown 9y ago
>Is there actually any agreement among scientists that there is a causal relationship between fast food consumption and obesity? Yes and no...part of the problem, much like cigarettes there are many industry paid physicians and scientists happy to create confusion and dispel truth. And just like the cigarette industry who took their carcinogenic products to countries with less regulation, fast food and sugar industries are doing the same. First fast food is high calorie and low in nutrients. Its also high in carbs which tends to trigger insulin production, insulin enlarges cell size in the body including fat cells priming a body for obesity (just add excess calories here). Additionally, fast food is notoriously inflammatory (sugar, grain fed meat, gluten, additives, saturated fat, BPA type toxins, preservatives, fried, etc...) and inflammation is linked to obesity, of course coming full circle you will find scientists paid by the sugar/fast food industries happy to claim its the other way around and that obesity is linked to metabolic inflammation. I will highlight the comment below regarding the teacher on the McD's diet for 6 months who lost ~60lbs is the type of misinformation the food industry thrives off. Just to highlight, the individual lost 56lbs but was still classified as obese, the individual limited himself to 2,000 calories per day (which can easily be exceeded in a single meal) and the individual walked 45 minuted everyday, but there is no information pre-McD diet.
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
halotrope 9y ago
In his lecture “sugar the bitter truth” [1] Robert Lustig talks about the obesity epidemic starting in the 70s. His hypothesis is that the shift from high fat to high sugar diets and excessive use of high fructose corn syrup are likely one of the primary causes for the obesity rates we see now in the western world. It is quite insightful and full of data. [1] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
jpatokal 9y ago
It's not that straightforward. In Thailand, compulsive snacking is a national obsession and you can't throw a rock outside without hitting five food vendors selling delicious food in small portions. Yet most Thais, particularly women, are incredibly skinny by Western standards.
- sageabilly 9y ago
  "delicious food in small portions." Also probably homemade on the spot by someone who really knows how to make it taste amazing. A small portion of something well made, from good ingredients, that tastes amazing will satisfy much more thoroughly than something that's nothing but carbs, sugar, and MSG.
- skolsuper 9y ago
  +1 Also, I've seen discussion of "fat-shaming" elsewhere ITT, and I think it's relevant, but shame isn't the right word. Seems like Asian cultures are frank about discussion of weight (and salary, and other things), but without the taboo of talking about it there isn't the associated shame of being talked about, in my experience.

yalogin 9y ago

What is about fast food that increases waist lines? Is it just the fact that its cheap so people consume more? At the end of the day its just calories right? So do people tend to over eat when it comes to fast food?

fastfoodie 9y ago
So uh... sugar, fat, and salt are extremely addictive. Fast food also doesn't make you feel full like proper food does, so not only do you crave it, but you never quite get enough. Yes, at the end of the day it's just calories, but they're addictive, empty calories. Quality and type of food matters. 1,000 calories of Big Mac is not 1,000 calories of fruits and vegetables.
- nradov 9y ago
  Sugar, fat, and salt are not literally addictive. At least not like nicotine, ethanol, and opioids. Hyperbole doesn't help here.
  - fastfoodie 9y ago
    Googling is a great skill: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/
  - throwawayoe8 9y ago
    Googling is a great skill: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23719144/
    - Aloha 9y ago
      using multiple throwaway accounts isn't really conducive to proving your case, it just makes you look like a troll.
  - poisonarena 9y ago
    I dunno, have you ever had a bunch of delicious burger king or mcdonalds after a hangover?? now imagine being addicted to alcohol

TwelveNights 9y ago

Honestly, the cleanliness and the "elegant" appearance of fast food restaurants are factors that add a lot to the allure. I noticed this in China where even places like Starbucks can really stand out in comparison to the other venues surrounding it. Taste aside, people really do value the safety of the food and the amenities that the restaurant provides. These are reasons why I think Western fast food restaurants are able to take root so quickly and in so many places. There's the atmosphere that extends beyond just the food that's sold.

fastfoodie 9y ago
Sure, I bet it has nothing to do with the fact that it's quick, cheap, and addictive. Poor people must really love the elegant atmosphere of their local KFC.
- TwelveNights 9y ago
  The atmosphere adds a lot extra value. There's obviously cheaper food options available that are as convenient available to them too. As for addictiveness, I'd say this is where fast food shines unfortunately. That's really only because it tastes good, though.
  - WalterBright 9y ago
    You can get a healthy meal at McD's: the quarter pounder sandwich, side salad, and a cup 'o water. Nobody says you gotta buy the coke, fries and shake.
    - tertius 9y ago
      Nobody sure is convincing for a lot of people.
- chickenfries 9y ago
  Those are for sure factors, but McDonalds just a pretty good place to hang out if you're poor, especially in the developing world. Lots of them have free wi-fi, power outlets. They're air conditioned / heated. You can basically hang out all day for next to free. Really, it has all of the amenities of somewhere like Starbucks, just at a lower price point. I'm not a fast food apologist, just saying that you're missing the perspective the gp is trying to bring.

gexla 9y ago

Some of the reason for obesity might be fast food but some of it is just rising incomes along with unique cultural things. For example, in the Philippines, you look healthy if you are chubby and people show concern if you are skinny. People encourage you to eat until you feel full. The food is generally fattening, but poor Filipino's can only afford enough that they won't get fat. Much of the fattening dishes are reserved for special events. Back in the day, a bottle of coke was a special thing. Now people can afford to keep the fridge always stocked. ETA: Fast food restaurants are relatively high-end. Even then, the food is relatively expensive. I see a lot of Filipino's ordering drinks and then sharing the biggest order of fries on the menu.

thisisit 9y ago

One thing people keep thinking is this is somehow a "poor" people problem. This is true when looked through a developed country citizen perspective - in terms of lifestyle. But please read the article before applying the same standard here. In developing countries KFC and McDonald are costly. Not everyone, specially the poor, can afford it. For the people who can afford it, the upscale nature, clean-looking environment and the lure of eating something "western" is the driving factor.

furqs 9y ago
As a person who moved from Pakistan to Germany, I can confirm. In Pakistan an average person will only eat fast once in a while, on occasions like a birthday party as the article suggests; in developed countries on the other hand fast food is a cheap no-brainer lunch and dinner option

NiklasMort 9y ago

Same story in Asia. Go to Thai cities and be surprised how many overweight children and adults you'll see. It's not just fast food, its anything processed. In India you often see kids eat raw instant noodles as snacks.

luvs2gorge 9y ago

It's sad there are still many (including in this thread) who minimize the role of fast food outlets in raising obesity rates by appealing to some moralized and frankly religious notion of "personal responsibility." What the science tells us is that if you put people in different environments, they will behave differently. Especially when the reward is designed to be as compelling as possible. Obesity is one of the greatest epidemics in the world today. There is no reason why anyone should have to compete against thousands of food scientists trying to tear down their willpower as a matter of daily course. Their failure to do so is in no way a failure of "personal responsibility." It is a failure of the designers of their world to be on their side in the first place. To assert otherwise is not only cruelly ideological, but utterly unscientific.

ryanx435 9y ago
Every one's a victim, eh? Let's just make all "fast food" illegal. does that include subway and Jimmy John's? What about Chipotle? How about pizza? Or Chinese takeout? What about Applebee's? Their burgers are pretty bad for you. Also we'd probably have to include kfc. Actually any place that sells deep fried chicken. So I guess we should just outlaw all restaurants because people have no agency and can't make their own decisions. /S But on a serious note, there are healthy people in America that exist within the same environment that you are blaming obesity on and that face the same societal pressures. Explain to me their magic that prevents them from being obese.
- pixl97 9y ago
  Obesity rates have gone up dramatically to the point that the majority of the population is considered obese,obviously the part that isn't obese is a statistical outlier, and not the norm.
darawk 9y ago
The fact that in an experiment people changed their behavior based on environmental cues does not disprove the notion of personal responsibility. If you think you have disproven personal responsibility, then you have disproven free will. And if you have disproven free will, then who is your comment trying to convince? That being said, the truth of this particular matter lies somewhere in the middle. It's personal responsibility and it's exploitation on the part of the fast food chains. Saying it's all one or all the other is equally wrong.

elorm 9y ago

Ghana, a coastal African country of more than 28 million still etched with pockets of extreme poverty Ugh New York times. On the issue of obesity however, like someone has already addressed in the thread, has more to do with individual choices than the availability of fast food joints. There have been arguments about people who frequent Macs or KFC everyday of their lives, and have managed to stay fit/in shape(Though not an argument for overall good health).

PeterStuer 9y ago

Notice how all the US diets are always about consuming 'different' and never about consuming 'less'? I'll leave it at that as the food industry has successfully manipulated public discourse pointing out the emperor has no clothes to be taboo.

craptocurrency 9y ago
Fast food or so called junk foods originate and consumed mostly in USA where there are so many obese people. Should we fix issue here rather than traveling 1000s miles to start unnecessary conversation?
NumberCruncher 9y ago
Consuming 'less' in general is not an option.
- NeutronBoy 9y ago
  Why?
  - NumberCruncher 9y ago
    Telling people that they need less not more does not make you revenue. Except if you are selling self help books.

craptocurrency 9y ago

Fast food or so called junk foods originate and consumed mostly in USA where there are so many obese people. Should we fix issue here rather than traveling 1000s miles to start unnecessary conversation?

smn1234 9y ago

Could availability and ease of purchase of alcohol play a role here ? Alcohol has plenty of calories e.g. beer and wine. Used to be you didn’t have it as readily available at a corner store.