Argumentative Essay on Obesity

Christopher Enriquez

WRT – 101

Word Count: 1.195

Argumentative Essay on Obesity

In the essay, “Why Are We Getting So Fat? A few theories on Americas Weight Problems” the author Steven E. Landsburg discusses the recent growth of obesity nationwide. He presents theories on why obesity is becoming more and more common throughout the United States and who is to blame for this change. He gives some facts, but not a whole lot and with just the few facts he does give, it is enough to sustain his argument. I agree with the author, although his arguments tend to be more like an answer to his own question.

In the essay, “Why Are We Getting So Fat? A few theories on Americas Weight Problem” the author explains how obesity is spreading and why this is happening. He says that the change in people becoming obese is climbing at a rapid rate because of the food that is available now. People complain that they do not choose to be obese and that it is the fast food industry that contribute to their obesity. He also points out that maybe it is not just the restaurant corporations that causes’ obesity, maybe it technology with its rapid expansion in the world, even the quitting or starting of smoking, or the dietary foods that people abuse. Landsburg implies that the increase in obesity may not involve food, technology, smoking, or dietary foods it could be the person(s) themselves that contribute to their own obesity.

According to the author, one thing that has changed is the portion of food that is available to us. Hey says that McDonald’s has changed their portion size dramatically. Landsburg says, “Bigger portions do not necessarily translate to bigger meals” (349) which I agree with entirely. A person does not need to eat more simply because more is available. In actuality it is not the portions that cause obesity, it is the portions consumed by a single person that contribute to their obesity. The fast food industry issues bigger portions to their customers because they demand portion increases. Even though the industry makes more money off the increase of food, it is not to benefit them it is to benefit the customer. The author mentions, “McDonald’s was presumably just as greedy in the �70s as it is today, so if we wanted super sized [meals] back then we would have gotten them…” (Landsburg 349).

Another assertion that Landsburg makes is that technology maybe a factor to the indefinite increase of obesity nationwide. He says, “Today you’re reading Slate from the chair where you work, chat to friends, and do half your shopping. Did Bill Gates make us fat?” (349). He says here that we have the technology to do an infinite amount of tasks through a computer, as where before you had to go out and physically do the necessary errands you need to do to go on with your lives. However, he illustrates that increases in obesity are higher in states where computer ownership is lowest. Though he provides statistics to back up his assertion he adds, “…maybe because they’re so fascinating that we forget to eat or maybe it is because we burn calories in silent rage…” (Landsburg 350). Here he implicates that computers do actually keep us trim and do not contribute to their obesity. By pointing out these facts and making this argument, Landsburg debunks the myth that computers are the reason people are obese.

Another aspect that he mentions can add to obesity is be smoking. The author articulates that when someone quits smoking they eat to satisfy their oral fixations. The author quotes, “…in the 25 states where smoking fell during the �90s, obesity rose 55%, but in the 25 states where smoking increased obesity rose by an even greater 59% (Landsburg 350). He says that giving up smoking causes people to have an oral fixation, therefore making them obese. However, the statistics that he offers contradict his argument. He presents an idea in a form of a question and then answers it. He does not make an argument for what point he takes.

Finally he makes the argument that obesity is caused by the abuse of dietary foods. He gives an example that people start eating diet food because they think that it is better than high-fat or high-calorie food. For example, the author mentions, “…a scoop of ice cream a night would add 10 pounds to your weight…[and] along comes a low-fat ice cream that allows you to eat two scoops a