Unfair Burden

The Unfair Burden put on consumers in low income areas is a product of fast food industries’ exploitation of their spatial constraints. This burden includes the rapid increase in obesity and health complications in the United States due to the consumption of fast food. Fast food is calorie-dense, and studies show that an increased intake of fast food is correlated with these health complications. It is defined as a burden because these consumers often have no other options and are not away of these help complications. Again, the fast food industry is to blame for targeting these areas and employing false-marketing techniques to sell their products.

The false-marketing techniques attempt to portray their food in a manner that does not highlight the health implications of it. However, There have been regulations put in place due to detrimental marketing practices. Food industry behaviors such as marketing unhealthy foods to children, promoting large portions and between-meal snacks, and exploiting schools for commercial gain have raised calls for government regulation (Sharma). However, the regulations do not curb the consumption enough, and further regulations are met with intense opposition by the industries. Calorie-labeling in restaurants is ineffective in its’ goal to make the consumer aware of the health impacts (Basset). Their lack of prominence when purchasing food is the main concern.

 

Work Cited

Sharma, Lisa L et al. “The food industry and self-regulation: standards to promote success and to avoid public health failures.” American journal of public health vol. 100,2 (2010): 240-6. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.160960

Bassett, Mary T et al. “Purchasing behavior and calorie information at fast-food chains in New York City, 2007.” American journal of public health vol. 98,8 (2008): 1457-9. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.135020