Food: War On Obesity

Whose fault is it that America is so fat? In a society whose economic system demands freedom to do what it will, for the market will correct any flaws, the growing health concerns around obesity demand someone take responsibility. Is it the individual alone or do buisnesses share in this failure of the system?

FDA: Restaurants Have Role to Play in Sorting Out U.S. Obesity

As reported by CNN, the FDA has released the findings of an inquiry that the administration had commissioned to look into how Americans can fight the obesity epidemic while eating away from home. Compiled by the Keystone Forum, the report found that Americans now consume one third of their daily caloric intake outside of the home.

The report does not explicitly link dining out with the rising tide of obesity, but does cite numerous studies that suggest there is a connection.

The report encourages restaurants to shift the emphasis of their marketing to lower-calorie choices, and include more such options on menus. In addition, restaurants could adjust portion sizes and the variety of foods available in mixed dishes to reduce the overall number of calories taken in by diners.

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(via: Anxiety, Addiction and Depression Treatments)

Paying for Your Super-size Meal

Super-sizing your meal at the drive through window is almost a no-brainer. For an extra 50 cents you can have a half gallon of soda and nearly twice as many delicious french fries. While the national average of "up-sizing" a fast food meal was calculated at 67 cents, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that the actual cost of super-sizing your meal is actually much more than that.

The difference comes mostly from the added expenses incurred in the form of gas, food bills and health care costs. The school's press release spells out all the gory details:

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(via: Anxiety, Addiction and Depression Treatments)