Are We a Nation of Addicts?
A recent article in the New York Times, “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food” by Michael Moss, showed how companies use science to design food that consumers will crave. By adding more salt, sugar, and fat, food companies design food to make us want to eat more and more. Moss says people have an addiction to junk food because they are often powerless to resist it. This also happens to people who smoke or take drugs.
Today, one in five children in the United States is obese. Health professionals want to encourage healthier eating habits and eliminate childhood obesity. But this is a contentious issue. Some people believe that everyone should have enough self-control to regulate what they eat, while others say that food companies should stop designing and advertising addictive food.
Moss’s article mentions how Kraft Lunchables were advertised on television to make kids feel as though they were in control of their food choices. The ads said, “All day, you gotta do what they say . . . But lunchtime is all yours.” Kraft, the company that owns Lunchables, sold the idea of power to kids, and it worked. Sales skyrocketed!
Children are an important target for companies producing junk food and soda. Children who eat and drink their products are more likely to buy these same products when they grow up to be adults.
Many people believe that regulations should be enforced to protect children from unhealthy food advertisements. They argue that we should follow the lead of countries like Norway and Sweden, where it is illegal to advertise to children under the age of 12. However, companies that sell junk food believe these regulations inconvenience consumers and target the snack food industry unfairly. Others say that advertisements are good because they teach children about new products and can help them become critical consumers—people who think carefully about the products they buy and use.
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Which of these is a good summary sentence?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) One in five children in the United States is obese, which can lead to many serious health problems.
A
One in five children in the United States is obese, which can lead to many serious health problems.
(Choice B) Junk food is advertised to children because they will eventually buy the products when they are older.
B
Junk food is advertised to children because they will eventually buy the products when they are older.
(Choice C) Many health professionals want to eliminate childhood obesity by encouraging healthier eating habits.
C
Many health professionals want to eliminate childhood obesity by encouraging healthier eating habits.
(Choice D) Food companies design junk food to be addictive, so many people think they should be regulated.
D
Food companies design junk food to be addictive, so many people think they should be regulated.