The Sociological Impact Fast Food Inflicts on American CultureBY:

JENNIFER DESOUSABRIAN GLAZIERADRYONNA MONTGOMERYCHRIS SOITOKAYLA TIBBETTS

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Would you rather eat a Big Mac or a turkey burger? A steak or asparagus? Bacon or a salad?

Thesis Statement

The American Government should step up in order to regulate and reduce the impact that fast food has on America, aiding in the reversal of:

Obesity and Health Issues

Self Esteem Issues

Use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)

Socioeconomic Differences

Sociological Concepts

Sociological Imagination

The Looking Glass Self

Social Stratification

Food Culture

Social Control

Sociological Imagination

“Ours is a society in which individual blame is so readily assigned for being fat” (Peralta, 2002)

However, Fast Food is:

Highly addictive (in comparison to heroin addiction)

The second biggest killer (After Smoking)

Personal and Social Issues

The Looking Glass SelfAnd The Self-Esteem of the Average American

Fast food has become the quickest, cheapest alternative to traditional meals

The average number of fast food transactions has increased from 26.61 to 32.76 per person while the average BMI has increased from 25.8 to 32.76 per person

Social Stratification

“Eating a healthy diet vs. an unhealthy one costs about $1.50 more a day… and works out to more than $2,000 more per year on the average family’s grocery bill” (Rehel, 2013)

Healthy living is a costly privilege

And Inequality in America

Food Culture

“an individual’s life circumstances shape their exposure to risk factors such as poor diet and sedentary lifestyle” (Peralta, 2002)

Foods containing GMO’s are approximately half the price of organic food

GMO’s have become a part of American Food Culture

And the Use of GMO’s

Social Control

Governments need to do more to regulate fast food

This can be done by taxing fast food, or providing incentives for healthier options (such as organically grown foods) or strict food stamp regulations

And What Can Be Done

Supersize Me!