Therefore from the results of this study alone it would be quite easy to conclude that access to fast food is responsible for increased obesity. Other evidence may however dispute this conclusion though.
A very recent study by Morland & Evenson found examined the relationship between the presence of different types of food establishments and a number of different diet-related health outcomes, including obesity, in the southern region of the U.S. The study utilized data collected from almost 1300 participants and found that the prevalence of obesity was associated with distance to a fast food restaurant, although not in the direction expected: "each mile closer to a fast food restaurant was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity" (493). This may help to explain the comment made by Schlosser that "in Italy and Spain...spending on fast food is relatively low." Although in these countries there remains a high density of fast food restaurants, Schlosser admits that the rate of obesity is much lower in these countries. This would suggest that there are possibly other factors to consider in the impact of fast food access on obesity levels, which is supported by the findings of Morland & Evenson. The results of this study therefore are not in complete agreement with the conclusions which could be drawn from the second study examined. They suggest that access to fast food is not an isolated causative factor of increased consumption and therefore increased risk of obesity.
In conclusion, it is possible to draw from the information in subsequent studies to support the comments made by Schlosser in Fast Food Nation. It is however also clear that there may be other factors not considered in his arguments, which mean that the facts given by the author do not necessarily speak for themselves. Considering access to fast food in isolation may not be enough to explain trends in obesity. It cannot adequately explain why some populations have experienced increased obesity levels and others have not where the density of fast food restaurants may be similar. Therefore the assertions made in the book that the doubling of obesity in Britain is due to a doubling of fast food restaurants may be somewhat crude. Further investigation into a full interplay of causative factors may be necessary to fully understand the complexity of the situation.
Works Cited
Jeffery, Robert W., Judy Baxter, Maureen McGuire & Jennifer Linde. "Are fast food restaurants an environmental risk factor for obesity?" International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 3(2006): 2-7.
Maddock, J. "The relationship between obesity and the prevalence of fast food restaurants: State-level analysis." American Journal of Health Promotion 19.2(2004): 137-143.
Morland, Kimberly B. & Kelly R. Evenson. "Obesity prevalence and the local food environment." Health & Place 25 (2009): 491-495.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark…
Sample Source(s) Used
Works Cited
Jeffery, Robert W., Judy Baxter, Maureen McGuire & Jennifer Linde. "Are fast food restaurants an environmental risk factor for obesity?" International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 3(2006): 2-7.
Maddock, J. "The relationship between obesity and the prevalence of fast food restaurants: State-level analysis." American Journal of Health Promotion 19.2(2004): 137-143.
Morland, Kimberly B. & Kelly R. Evenson. "Obesity prevalence and the local food environment." Health & Place 25 (2009): 491-495.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001.
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