“Fast food chains must be partly to blame for the anti-weight problem” (Goode 427). Corporations are not the cause of the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. It is caused by irresponsible parents who do not properly care for their children, not by companies trying to succeed. Companies are not at fault because a parent deliberately decided to buy an unhealthy meal for their child. Fast food companies first offered larger portions for adults, then this trickled down to children's meals. These businesses reduced the price of their meals to accommodate more people and gain more customers. They advertise to announce new products to the public. These companies frequently open locations to become more available and gain more business. They offer a variety of choices to suit any customer with special tastes or needs. Companies don't hold people at gunpoint to buy their product, it's entirely the consumer's choice and the company's actions reflect that. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The growing epidemic of childhood obesity may be caused by the increasing portion sizes offered by fast food restaurants today. Erica Goode describes the problem in her article “The Gorge-Yourself Environment.” “From giant sodas to giant hamburgers to all-you-can-eat buffets, the American approach to food can be summed up in one word: Big” (Goode 427). Americans pride themselves on having an excess of everything, whether it's food, cars, or other materials. This leads Americans to seek out the largest and tastiest meals. For some, it's about the challenge of consuming the most massive burger and for others, it's about getting the most bang for their buck. A McDonald's ad shows the mentality of getting more for less, as the ad attempts to sell the supersize option as having more food for more value. Mcdonalds was a pioneer of larger portions with oversized meals that Americans loved because they felt it was a good deal. As a result, children are being affected by larger portion sizes, as evidenced by the childhood obesity epidemic ravaging the United States. “In 2012, 18% of children aged 6 to 11 were considered obese, compared to 7% in 1980” (Kaplan). This statistic shows how staggering the epidemic is and how vulnerable children become to obesity over time. If parents do not make an effort to provide properly portioned meals for their children, the percentage of obese children will increase. With these larger portions, it would be obvious that prices would increase; however, prices have declined over time. Prices of fast food meals have gradually fallen to attract low-income customers. For example, there is currently a special at McDonald's for a 50 piece Chicken Mcnugget meal for ten dollars. This offer appeals to low-income families since it allows a family to be fed for only ten dollars. This leads low-income children to be more likely to develop childhood obesity. According to Goode, “price has a powerful influence” (Goode 428). This is true since a parent prefers to buy the 50 piece Chicken Mcnugget bundle because it is cheaper and easier than preparing a healthy meal for their children at home. Moreover, inevery happy meal you can buy, a toy is included in the happy meal. This toy can entertain the child for at least a few hours. This seems like a good deal for any parent since they can feed their child and keep them entertained for a while for a relatively cheap price. While it is somewhat relieving to have the ability to distract a child for a while so a parent can rest, it is irresponsible to feed your child fast food often. The child may beg and plead to get their child's meal, but ultimately it is up to the parent to buy it and give it to their child. Had a huge influence on fast food consumption. However, it is the meal advertisements that inform the public of the deals and entice them to visit their local fast food restaurant. Fast food restaurants have created very effective advertisements targeting children and broadcast them on all children's television channels. An excerpt from the article “The Gorge-Yourself Environment” perfectly describes human nature when informed about free food. “Keep the office table stocked with cookies and candy, and people will snack throughout the workday, even if they are not hungry” (Goode 427). When someone knows that there is free or cheap food within their reach, they will get it simply because it is free or cheap, even if it is not healthy. Another way fast food companies advertise their meals is by not directly talking about the meal but placing it in an advertisement about the restaurant. For example, at McDonald's and Burger King, children have fun in their "play areas", eat their happy meals and play with the toys they receive. These ads show a happy, playful environment that inspires children to beg their parents to stop at the local fast-food restaurant. Another way fast food restaurants advertise their products is to include a celebrity or well-known athlete. According to TIME magazine, "there is growing evidence of the influence that a celebrity - particularly a professional athlete - can have on children's behavior." This can greatly influence children, as they see athletes as role models and will want to emulate them. This leads them to visit the fast food restaurant like their model does. A good example of this is a Burger King commercial in which David Beckham endorses one of their smoothies. Some advertisements do not advertise a specific product, but announce the opening of a new location. The availability of fast food restaurants in the United States is incomparable to that of any other country. Fast food restaurants are within sight in any city. Companies place their restaurants in highly populated centers such as shopping malls or near schools. As one academic study shows: “In our sample. . . high school students were disproportionately exposed to FFRs [Fast Food Restaurants] and TOs near schools” (D’Angelo p. 1561). These locations are placed near schools to target students who are looking for a cheap meal after school. These restaurants also prioritize locations close to low-income families. It's a parent's job to show their child that there are better options to satisfy their hunger after school. However, it is natural for one to participate in what is available, as a study published in Erica Goode's article clearly shows. “When the candies were in plain sight on the workers’ desks, they.