Obesity has become a major health problem in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 1990, the majority of fifty states had an obesity rate of 20% or less. In 2014, all but one state had an obesity rate of 20 percent or more. Obesity rates have increased, especially over the past twenty years. There is an ongoing debate over who is responsible for the increase in obesity. Radley Balko's article "What You Eat is Your Business" expresses his belief that responsibility lies with each individual, not the government. Although Yves Engler's article "Obesity: Much of the Responsibility lies with Business" places much of the blame on business, it also blames the government. Although Balko and Engler disagree on government involvement in the obesity issue, their articles share similarities in tone, logical writing style, and weaknesses. Even though Balko and Engler disagree on the question of who is responsible for obesity, their direct and knowledgeable tone illustrates a striking similarity between the two works. The tone at the beginning of Balko's article is direct and knowledgeable as he provides information about an upcoming event hosted by the media, which Balko says is "a pep rally for media, social activists nutrition and policy makers – all fighting for a panoply of governments.” anti-obesity initiatives” (Balko 157). He reports that politicians have already stepped in and started taking action against this growing epidemic. Balko's tone turns bold when he insists that the actions of politicians and the pep rally are not the right way to fight obesity. He believes the government should encourage the American public to take responsibility for their own health middle of paper......uh. Although each author presents a very good case, Engler realizes that it is not just the fault of individuals, nor that of government and corporations. They all play a contributing role in this matter. Everyone must step up and do their part. Individuals need to eat healthier and exercise more, while the government needs to start controlling the food industry and corporations, not the other way around. This is the only way to truly solve America's obesity problem. Works Cited Balko, Radley. “What you eat is your business.” They say what I say. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russell Durst. New York: WW Norton & Company, 2009. 157-160. Print.Engler, Yves. “Obesity: Much of the blame lies with businesses.” They say what I say. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russell Durst. New York: WW Norton & Company, 2009. 172-180. Printed.