100 CHAPTER 4 strengthening your Individuality 410 In recent years health experts have become concerned about the in By numbers Americans who are overweight or obese fi licizing their concerns, the experts sparked a national debate about pub the cause(s) of this phenomenon. The following essays express very differen views. Read each carefully. Then apply the W I.S E approach and determine which view is more reasonable. Write a brief composition stating sup porting your decision.

 

 

SHAME ON FAST FOOD MERCHANTS By Elena Ro obesity is no joke. It has been linked to heart conditions, hi eep apnea, diabetes, and respiratory problems. And pres Americans qualifies as obese that is, 30 percent heavier than weight for one's height. The increase in obesity among children over the last decade or so is especially alarming. selves for is to blame for this To some extent, the people them. eating fattening foods and not getting enough exercise. In th case of children, parents share some responsibility for allowing kids to sn tinuously. But a good share of the blame must go to the fast-food ind particularly to restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Wend The fast-food industry rejects that argument, and that comes as no surprise. courts to uphold it, the dollar settlements would be huge (no pun intended). Their position would be believable if the sat between the golden arches or whatever and waited for people to walk in and place an order. But they don't do that. They advertise. Translation they use all kinds of slogans and gimmicks to entice people in, especially young people Think of all the scenes of good times and friendship you have seen in fast-food ads, with trim, athletic people chattering happily or singing jingle and dancing. (Not a bulging size 3X in sight!) Think, too, of the mouthwa tering pictures of burgers and fish fillets, steam rising, ketchup oozing, and the accompanying invitation to "supersize" your order. (Never a reference t mega-milligrams of salt, mounds of sugar, or artery-clogging fat!) When you've got all those images firmly in mind, you'll realize why the fast-food industry bears the main responsibility for the current obesit problem- because their ads deceive the public