preview

Fast Food Analysis

Decent Essays

Since fast food first emerged in the United States it has become a large and successful industry, netting billions of dollars every year. This rapid expansion of fast food has put a fast food establishment within reach of almost every American. In Adam Chandler’s “What if Consumers Just Want to Buy Junk Food” he claims that although a majority of Americans believe they eat healthier today than in the 1970’s, but in fact studies show the very opposite. Chandler associates this to the consumers preference of unhealthy foods, but there is strong evidence that this rise in unhealthy consumption in American society can be attributed to the marketing and business tactics of fast food corporations, the availability and ease of access to fast food, and their socioeconomic status. An important factor in the uptake in consumption of unhealthy and fast foods is the availability and ease of access to it. Chandler does not mention this, but it is an important aspect to examine. Chandler mentions a study which examined caloric intake from 1970 to 2010, and found a that Americans consume 23 percent ‘more calories in 2010 than in 1970’ (Chandler). Since 1965 the average amount of leisure time of working men and women has dropped by eight hours per week(“Why Is Everyone so Busy?”). This however is seen as an opportunity by the fast food industry. People rarely want to use up a large portion of their free time cooking every day, so they turn to things like fast food, or quick and easy

Get Access