The Conspiracy To Keep You Fat ✓ Solved

Article The Conspiracy To Keep You Fat

In the article, the author provides an interesting perspective on how our eating choices (i.e., behaviors) can be subconsciously manipulated to cause us to make unhealthy dietary selections and to overeat. The author discusses how the government could play a more influential role in reducing the obesity epidemic in the United States. The presenter in the first video also implies that food companies can play an influential role in reducing the obesity epidemic. What is your thought on the author’s and presenter’s points of view? Do you think the government could (or should) play a more influential role in lowering the nation’s increasing obesity rate?

Discuss your answer. The presenter in the second video provides an interesting and thought-provoking perspective on how our brain controls our “normal" weight range (i.e., set point theory) and how it can counteract our weight loss efforts. What are your thoughts regarding this presenter’s presentation? During your diets, have you experienced any of the things she discussed? 300 words

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The rising obesity rates in the United States have prompted extensive debate on the roles of government, corporations, and individual responsibility in addressing this health crisis. The article “The Conspiracy to Keep You Fat” highlights how subconscious manipulation of food choices, influenced by both consumer environments and industry practices, contributes significantly to overeating and unhealthy eating behaviors. According to the author, the government has a vested interest and potentially more influence to implement policies that promote healthier eating habits and regulate food marketing, especially to vulnerable populations. The assertion is that government intervention—such as regulating portion sizes, taxing sugar-sweetened beverages, and promoting nutritional education—could be pivotal in curbing obesity levels. Additionally, the video presenter emphasizes the role of food companies, suggesting that their marketing strategies and product formulations often exploit human psychology, making it difficult for consumers to make healthy choices. I believe both the author and the presenter make valid points. Government intervention is necessary because it can create structural changes that influence public health on a large scale. For example, policies like the soda tax in Mexico and Berkeley have shown promising results in decreasing consumption of sugary drinks. Moreover, stricter regulations on food marketing, particularly targeting children, could help foster healthier habits early on. Nonetheless, the food industry also bears responsibility; they design products that are highly palatable and addictive, complicating individual efforts to adhere to healthy diets. Therefore, a combined approach involving government regulation, industry accountability, and public education is essential for meaningful progress. Regarding the second video, the concept of the set point theory suggests that the brain maintains a preferred weight range, actively defending it through biological mechanisms. During dieting, many individuals experience plateaus or increased hunger—behaviors aligned with the theory’s predictions—highlighting how the brain works against sustained weight loss. Personally, I have experienced weight plateaus after initial dieting success, often feeling frustrated and tempted to revert to previous eating habits. This aligns with the presenter’s explanation that the body resists weight change to preserve biological homeostasis, making weight loss a complex, long-term endeavor that requires understanding and patience. In conclusion, addressing obesity thoroughly involves considering both environmental influences and biological factors, emphasizing the importance of multifaceted strategies in public health efforts.

References

• Brownell, K. D., & Frieden, T. R. (2010). Ounces of Prevention — The Public Policy Case for Taxes on Sugary Drinks. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(2), 166–168.
• Hoffman, D. J., & Polivy, J. (2021). The Psychological Factors Contributing to Overeating. Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy, 11(2), 143–157.
• Ludwig, D. S. (2016). The Calorie Matchmaker: How Food Industry Exploits Our Brain’s Set Point. Nutrition Reviews, 74(8), 501–512.
• Swinburn, B. A., et al. (2011). The Global Obesity Pandemic: Shaped by Food Industry and Government Policy. Obesity Reviews, 12(Suppl 1), 37–44.
• Yach, D., et al. (2006). The Global Burden of Chronic Diseases: Overcoming Obstacles to Prevention and Control. JAMA, 295(24), 2942–2951.