Food Marketing and Obesity

by | Apr 27, 2025 | Analysis

 

 

Introduction
are at an all time high in the United States. In fact, these rates have more than tripled since the 1980’s! In response, food manufacturers have attempted to create and market foods that are “healthier”, such as low-fat and low-sugar products.

Your Tasks
Task 1- Original Post
Please discuss the following in your original post:

How would you explain the high obesity rates in the United States despite changes to our food markets? Are we focusing on the wrong things? If so, what should we focus on instead? (15 points)
The post must be at least 250 words. (2 points)
Include at least 1 outside reference, cited in APA format. This reference needs to be cited both in-text and at the end of the post in a reference list. (3 points)
Task 2- Peer Response
Respond to at least 2 classmate’s posts. Discuss whether you agree or disagree with their opinion. Additionally, discuss the similarities and differences between your findings regarding food laws and health. (10 points)

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Task 1 – Original Post: The Obesity Epidemic in the US

The persistently high obesity rates in the United States, despite the proliferation of “healthier” low-fat and low-sugar food products, present a complex paradox. While food manufacturers have responded to consumer interest in healthier options, the fundamental drivers of the obesity epidemic extend far beyond the macronutrient content of individual food items. I believe the continued rise in obesity suggests that our focus has been misdirected, concentrating on isolated components of food rather than the broader food environment and societal factors that shape eating behaviors.

One primary explanation for this disconnect lies in the fact that simply manipulating fat and sugar content does not inherently make a food “healthy.” Many low-fat or low-sugar processed foods compensate for the reduction in these components by increasing other less desirable ingredients, such as refined carbohydrates, sodium, artificial sweeteners, and various additives to enhance palatability and shelf life (Ludwig, 2000). These substitutions can still contribute to high caloric intake, poor nutrient density, and metabolic dysregulation. Furthermore, the marketing of these products often creates a “health halo” effect, leading consumers to believe they can consume larger quantities without consequence, ultimately negating any potential benefit

Task 1 – Original Post: The Obesity Epidemic in the US

The persistently high obesity rates in the United States, despite the proliferation of “healthier” low-fat and low-sugar food products, present a complex paradox. While food manufacturers have responded to consumer interest in healthier options, the fundamental drivers of the obesity epidemic extend far beyond the macronutrient content of individual food items. I believe the continued rise in obesity suggests that our focus has been misdirected, concentrating on isolated components of food rather than the broader food environment and societal factors that shape eating behaviors.

One primary explanation for this disconnect lies in the fact that simply manipulating fat and sugar content does not inherently make a food “healthy.” Many low-fat or low-sugar processed foods compensate for the reduction in these components by increasing other less desirable ingredients, such as refined carbohydrates, sodium, artificial sweeteners, and various additives to enhance palatability and shelf life (Ludwig, 2000). These substitutions can still contribute to high caloric intake, poor nutrient density, and metabolic dysregulation. Furthermore, the marketing of these products often creates a “health halo” effect, leading consumers to believe they can consume larger quantities without consequence, ultimately negating any potential benefit

Moreover, the ubiquity and aggressive marketing of highly processed, calorie-dense, and nutrient-poor foods continue to exert a powerful influence on dietary choices. Fast food remains readily accessible and heavily promoted, portion sizes in restaurants are often excessive, and the overall food landscape is engineered to prioritize convenience and affordability over nutritional value. The relatively small segment of the market dedicated to genuinely healthy, whole foods often faces challenges in terms of accessibility, affordability, and marketing power compared to the dominant processed food industry.  

Beyond the composition and marketing of food products, socioeconomic factors play a critical role in shaping dietary patterns and obesity rates. Access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious food is not equitable across all communities, leading to food deserts where healthier options are scarce and more expensive. Additionally, factors such as stress, time constraints, lack of nutritional education, and cultural norms significantly influence food choices and eating behaviors. Addressing the obesity epidemic requires a broader understanding of these social determinants of health.  

Therefore, I argue that our focus needs to shift from solely targeting individual nutrients in processed foods to a more comprehensive approach that addresses the entire food environment and promotes holistic healthy eating behaviors. This includes:

  • Prioritizing access to affordable, whole, and minimally processed foods: Policies and initiatives should aim to increase the availability and affordability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, particularly in underserved communities.
  • Investing in comprehensive nutrition education: Empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed food choices and prepare healthy meals is crucial. This should be integrated into school curricula and public health campaigns.  
  • Implementing strategies to reshape the food environment: This could involve policies such as clearer and more informative food labeling, restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, and potentially fiscal measures like taxes on sugary drinks coupled with subsidies for healthy options.
  • Addressing socioeconomic disparities: Tackling poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are fundamental to improving overall health outcomes, including obesity rates.  
  • Promoting physical activity: Creating safe and accessible environments for physical activity and encouraging active lifestyles are essential complements to healthy eating.  

In conclusion, the continued rise in obesity despite the availability of low-fat and low-sugar products underscores the complexity of this public health issue. A narrow focus on altering the nutrient profiles of processed foods is insufficient. A more effective strategy requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the broader food environment, socioeconomic factors, and individual behaviors to promote sustainable and meaningful changes in dietary patterns and ultimately reduce obesity rates.

Reference:

Ludwig, D. S. (2000). Dietary glycemic index and load and the risk of type 2 diabetes. JAMA, 284(18), 2346–2347.

Task 2 – Peer Response (Example – Replace with actual peer responses)

Response to Peer 1:

I agree with your point that the marketing of “healthier” processed foods can be misleading. The “low-fat” label, as you mentioned, often doesn’t tell the whole story about the overall nutritional quality of the product. I found similar information in a report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which highlighted how food manufacturers can use these labels to their advantage without necessarily offering truly healthy options. However, I also think that some food laws, like the updated nutrition facts panel, are a step in the right direction by providing more transparent information about added sugars and serving sizes. Perhaps the issue isn’t solely the laws themselves, but rather the loopholes and the effectiveness of their enforcement.

Response to Peer 2:

I disagree with your opinion that individual responsibility is the sole factor driving obesity rates. While personal choices undoubtedly play a role, I believe that the obesogenic environment we live in significantly influences those choices. As I discussed in my post, the accessibility and affordability of unhealthy foods, coupled with pervasive marketing, create a challenging landscape for individuals trying to make healthy decisions. Our findings differ in that you seem to place more emphasis on individual agency, whereas I believe systemic changes are crucial. While I agree that education is important, it’s difficult for individuals to consistently make healthy choices when surrounded by unhealthy options and bombarded with marketing for them.

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