Statistics say...

    I have always thought the word “obesity” could only be applied to adults, until I opened my eyes and took a look around me. Over the years the number over obese children in America has risen drastically, and those numbers still continue to rise. Statistics show that childhood obesity start to affect children as young as 4 years old, which also carries into their adolescent lives from the age of 12 to 19 years old. Dating back, over the past forty years, the percentage of overweight children has tripled. With the amount of “on the go” snacks all children consume today, there is very little to no hope of those numbers falling any time soon. Several things, such as excessive snacking, family behaviors, genetic and heretical causes play a huge role in what could possibly be a life long struggle for these young children. Although, there are many factors that contribute to these young children being so overweight, the real problem is what they are being allowed to eat. There is absolutely no doubt that the majority (if not all) fast food restaurants market their products towards young children, which have definitely proven to be an even bigger problem than we realize.
       The average American preteen plants themselves in front of a television and either watches TV and/or plays video games for hours at a time. It is only common sense to know that this is unhealthy for anyone, let alone a child. At least 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended, but many children do not meet the minimum requirements to stay fit. Whether it is because of the internet, their favorite television shows, or any type of modern technology that is available to them, children today have the tendency stay trapped indoors. Parents can easily inspire their children to be physically active by reducing the time their kids spend using electronics, yet they just simply choose not to. This link; http://www.annecollins.com/child-obesity-causes.htm  will lead you to a website that goes more in depth to the root causes of children being so overweight today. I believe a change for the better begins with the parents.

Blog Project

  The fast food industry, supermarkets and vendors today literally have our children by the gut. The main focus of my project will be how these corporations and industries are affecting young children all around the world. Childhood obesity is something that we see in our everyday lives, but fail to recognize nor do we hardly ever give it any thought. There are children obese and overweight at the age of 4 and I want people to see the hidden dangers not only in fast food but in the processed supermarket meats, the over consumption of dairy products and other guilty pleasures we are not willing to give up. I will also speak about many ways in which we can better ourselves and make healthy food choices without giving up on quality taste, provide healthy and yummy recipes, as well as fun as easy workouts. =)
   This particular topic is a very sensitive subject for me because it hits home. Many of my adult family members are in fact overweight and they suffer from diabetes and several other heart complications because of the crap that we put into our bodies today. The adult generation in my family often eats out several times a week without ever considering the health risks this may bring. With the adults naturally being role models, the children in my family think it is alright to eat whatever they want, whenever they want without there being any consequences. I want to put a stop to that kind of thinking, not only within my own family but to people all over. I want to show the younger generations that over a long period of time you can and will ultimately end up suffering from your unconscious decisions and food choices that you make today.
   I want to try to use this project as a way to open my readers eyes to what is really happening. Our children eat more and exercise less. I will express my views and opinions on this gut wrenching epidemic that is sweeping the nation, not only affecting the poor but affecting what is supposed to be our future generations to come. From this project I hope to learn an easier and more efficient way of convincing people that although some foods may look and taste scrumpdittlyumptious, they are not worth the risk.

Problem Posing Method: Schlosser Chpt. 3

 1. Problem: Many fast food chain employees were being treated unfairly, and many times not getting paid as a worker should be. This caused teh workers to join together in an attempt to unionize.
 2. "Workers were forced to wait until things got busy at a restaurant before officially starting their shifts. They were forced to work without pay after their shifts ended. They were forced to clean restaurants on their own time. And they were sometimes compensated with food, not wages. (Chpt. 3 Pg.75)" This quote represents the problem in such a way that it shows the severity and the extent to which these minimum wage workers were being treated.
 3. Being a loyal McDonalds customer myself, I am usually able to recognize the workers and employees at the McDonalds restaurants I visit. Lately, I have begin to notice that over a period of time, weeks - sometimes months, the workers never stay the same. Due to the low wages, no benifits and poor conditons of the McDonald work place, I have seen that these employees are dissatisfied enough to quit shortly after being hired.
 4. ".. the two sides reached a settlement" pg.75. A failed attempt to solve this issue, was a lawsuit filed against a Taco Bell but before the penalty phase both sides agreed on a settlemnt of millions of dollars in back wages. Though it worked at the time, this "solution" did not work for the employees in the long run. Fast food restaurant workers are still the lowest legally paid workers out there, and the conditions in which they work have not gotten any better.
 5. My Solution: Simply paying employees higher wages, and with better treatment they will be less likey to unoinize against the franchise. This works for both the employees and the franchise owners, workers will be paid and owners will not have to deal with unions forming.

Descriptive Writing; Edited

  We piled into the car, as the all too familiar stench of day old burgers and fries began to fill the space around us. What was once a vibrant bright red, was now a dim and faded "W". I glanced at it in the rear view mirror as we drove away, and the sign read " endys". A flimsy off white and red paper thing bag that contained our dinner, which consisted of of questionable meats and potatoes,  rested on my lap. I could feel the grease seeping through the bottom of the bag, creating what appeared to be a puddle of oil. I was beginning to regret tonight's dinner.
   We then crowded around the dining room table, to scarf down what was probably one of the most unhealthiest meals of the face of the earth. Consumed by the enjoyment of over indulging, the room grew silent as small packets of ketchup and barbecue sauce slid back and forth across the table. I stared down at what was now laid out in front of me, a triple baconator, large fries and a large soda. The fries, drenched in oil, wilted and fell over as I scooped them up off my plate two and three at a time. Now for the triple baconator, what in the world was i thinking?? Three layers of over cooked, processed beef and bacon, piled high in between two sesame seed buns. Halfway through my baconator, feeling uncomfotable and uneasy, with all that grease now sitting in my stomach, i had completely given up on what was supposed to be an enjoyable meal.