Food Marketing and Obesity

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Introduction
are at an all time high in the United States. In fact, these rates have more than tripled since the 1980’s! In response, food manufacturers have attempted to create and market foods that are “healthier”, such as low-fat and low-sugar products.

Your Tasks
Task 1- Original Post
Please discuss the following in your original post:

How would you explain the high obesity rates in the United States despite changes to our food markets? Are we focusing on the wrong things? If so, what should we focus on instead? (15 points)

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are sy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell w, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, tfore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Task 1 – Original Post: The Obesity Paradox in the United States

The persistent and alarmingly high rates of obesity in the United States, which have indeed more than tripled since the 1980s, present a perplexing challenge when juxtaposed with the food industry’s efforts to market “healthier” alternatives like low-fat and low-sugar products. While the intention behind these market shifts may seem aligned with public health goals, the continued rise in obesity suggests a fundamental disconnect and points towards a potential misdirection in our focus.

One key explanation for this paradox lies in the innt limitations of focusing solely on reducing fat and sugar in processed foods. Many of these “healthier” options often compensate for the removal of these components by increasing the levels of other less desirable ingredients, such as refined carbohydrates, sodium, artificial sweeteners, and a plethora of additives designed to maintain palatability and extend shelf life (Nestle, 2002). Consequently, these products may still be calorie-dense, lack essential nutrients, and contribute to metabolic dysfunction, ultimately failing to address the core drivers of weight gain. Furthermore, the marketing of these items can create a deceptive “health halo,” encouraging overconsumption under the false pretense of making a virtuous choice

Task 1 – Original Post: The Obesity Paradox in the United States

The persistent and alarmingly high rates of obesity in the United States, which have indeed more than tripled since the 1980s, present a perplexing challenge when juxtaposed with the food industry’s efforts to market “healthier” alternatives like low-fat and low-sugar products. While the intention behind these market shifts may seem aligned with public health goals, the continued rise in obesity suggests a fundamental disconnect and points towards a potential misdirection in our focus.

One key explanation for this paradox lies in the innt limitations of focusing solely on reducing fat and sugar in processed foods. Many of these “healthier” options often compensate for the removal of these components by increasing the levels of other less desirable ingredients, such as refined carbohydrates, sodium, artificial sweeteners, and a plethora of additives designed to maintain palatability and extend shelf life (Nestle, 2002). Consequently, these products may still be calorie-dense, lack essential nutrients, and contribute to metabolic dysfunction, ultimately failing to address the core drivers of weight gain. Furthermore, the marketing of these items can create a deceptive “health halo,” encouraging overconsumption under the false pretense of making a virtuous choice

Beyond the nutritional composition of individual products, the broader food environment in the United States plays a significant, and often more powerful, role in shaping dietary behaviors. The pervasive availability and aggressive marketing of highly processed, calorie-dense, and nutrient-poor foods, particularly through fast-food outlets and convenience stores, create a constant pull towards unhealthy choices. Portion sizes in restaurants have ballooned, and the economic incentives often favor the consumption of cheaper, less nutritious options. This environment makes it incredibly challenging for individuals to consistently ad to healthy eating patterns, regardless of the availability of some “healthier” alternatives.  

Moreover, the socioeconomic determinants of health are inextricably linked to obesity rates. Access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious food is not equally distributed across communities, leading to the prevalence of “food deserts” in low-income areas w processed and energy-dense options are often the most accessible and affordable. Factors such as stress, time constraints, lack of nutritional education, and cultural influences further compound these challenges, making it clear that obesity is not solely a matter of individual choice but is deeply embedded within a complex web of societal factors.  

Tfore, I strongly believe that our primary focus has been misplaced, concentrating on the reduction of specific macronutrients in processed foods rather than addressing the systemic issues that drive unhealthy eating. Instead, our efforts should be directed towards a more comprehensive and multi-pronged approach that prioritizes:

  • Improving access to affordable, whole, and minimally processed foods: This requires policy interventions that support local agriculture, farmers’ markets, and initiatives that bring fresh produce and healthy options to underserved communities.
  • Investing in robust and widespread nutrition education: Equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed food choices and prepare healthy meals is fundamental. This education should be integrated into school curricula and public health campaigns.  
  • Reshaping the food environment: Implementing policies that make healthier choices easier and more appealing, such as clearer food labeling, restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, and considering fiscal measures like taxes on sugary drinks.
  • Addressing socioeconomic disparities: Tackling poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are crucial underlying factors that contribute to health inequities, including obesity.  
  • Promoting active lifestyles: Creating safe and accessible environments for physical activity and integrating movement into daily routines are essential complements to healthy eating.

In conclusion, the continued rise of obesity in the United States, despite the availability of some “healthier” processed foods, underscores the need for a paradigm shift in our approach. We must move beyond a narrow focus on individual nutrients and instead address the complex interplay of the food environment, socioeconomic factors, and individual behaviors to foster a culture of health and well-being that can effectively combat the obesity epidemic.

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