From the Paper "Breast cancer is an unforgivable disease. It attacks a highly visible and sensitive organ, an organ that is closely associated with femininity and nurturing. When this disease strikes a breast, the risk is very great that it will strike again, either in the same breast, or at other sites such as bones or lungs. Once the disease has recurred, the only available treatments are drugs and radiation. An estimated 207,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year (Lohr 42). By the year 2005, it is expected that there will be 1.5 million new cases of breast cancer in America, and the National Cancer Institute now estimates that 1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer over her lifetime (Casten 68)."
Tags: disease, genetics, mammogram, medical, research
Summary and discussion of "Fast Food Nation" and its commentary on how the fast food industry has shaped and defined American society and the society of other nations.
Abstract This paper explains the premise of Eric Schlosser's book, "Fast Food Nation", which argues that the fast food industry is representative of American culture and that this culture is exported abroad, often to the detriment of the target nations. The paper looks at Schlosser's discussion of the myriad problems in the fast food industry and the ways in which this industry has altered American society and may alter society around the world.
From the Paper "The icon that represents fast food culture for most people is McDonald's, though the fast food culture developed long before the creation of that restaurant chain and includes many other practitioners. Schlosser considers the impact of such fast-food chains but also considers the primacy of the hamburger in the American diet and some of the dangers it poses. The spread of McDonald's around the world has been decried by many as exporting some of the worst of American culture."
Abstract This paper takes a comprehensive look at alcoholism, starting with the telltale signs of a problem drinker, the physical and mental effects of alcohol, alcohol's effects on society, the causes of alcoholism, as well as treatment and prevention.
From the Paper "When a person is intoxicated, he tends to do things he would not do under normal circumstances. He may harm himself or those around him, drive recklessly, and embarrass himself by saying and/or doing foolish things. There are signs that distinguish the differences between problem drinking and alcoholism, and although there is no exact pattern, some of the basic symptoms of advanced alcoholism are: drinking daily, a high tolerance for liquor, drinking alone, drinking in the morning, withdrawal symptoms upon quitting, "blackouts" or loss of memory, loss of social ties, and guilt about drinking. The person becomes completely dependent on alcohol, physically and emotionally, and the substance controls every aspect of his life (Berger 11). Some secondary signs, or problem drinker signs include: problems related to or while drinking such as quarreling with a loved one or DUI, a failed attempt at quitting, hording extra drinks at a party or keeping an eye on the supply, and lying about usage."
From the Paper "Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem in the United States. Not only does excess weight lead to medical and psychosocial disorders in children, there is a strong link between childhood obesity and adult obesity. Exacerbating the problem are trends in eating patterns favoring more and more convenience foods, of which fast foods are the most harmful. Fast foods are high in fat, sodium, and sugar while low in essential nutrients. The consumption of fast foods has had a direct impact on the increase in childhood obesity among American youth.
Obesity in children is defined by how much the child exceeds the recommended weight for his or her age, sex, and height. Generally, a child is mildly to somewhat overweight if he or she is up to 20 percent above this recommended weight."
Abstract This paper looks at the many potential and proven benefits resulting from the usage of genetically modified organisms such as longer lasting and better tasting fruits and vegetables, crops that require less use of pesticides, and improved nutrient content in certain foods. The author also examines specific problems with using such organisms.
From the Paper "The scientific and social communities are currently engaged in a heated debate about the benefits versus the risks of Genetically Modified foods. The benefits are predicted to aid the agriculture community and humans while the risks are expected to also affect the ecosystem and humans negatively. Two specific examples of GM?s?soybeans and corn---are currently in the forefront in this controversial and unresolved issue."
Abstract This paper looks at the article by Eric Schlosser, "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal", which asserts that fast food is a major contributor to the obesity problem in America. Other articles on the subject are then examined, which have concluded that there are other factors just as significant, if not more so, that have contributed to America's obesity problem. The paper argues that there are a great many factors that need to be considered when studying the problem of obesity in America.
From the Paper "Everyone seems to agree that the "fattening" of America carries a tremendous cost, both to individuals and society. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than half of all Americans are either overweight or clinically obese and that the medical costs associated with obesity approach $117 billion dollars annually. Yet, there's no general consensus on whose fault the problem is or what to do about it. Theories on causes of obesity range from damning condemnations of the fast food industry, overworked Americans who have no other choice but to eat on the run, genetic factors that we can?t control, lack of exercise, psychological issues such as depression and low self-esteem, and poor consumer choices regarding their food intake, just to name a few candidates. While it seems to be fashionable lately to latch onto a single scapegoat, the truth is more likely to be that some or all of these factors, depending on the individual, come together to form the perfect storm that leads to severely overweight Americans."
Abstract In his thought-provoking book, Eric Schlosser argues that America's fast food franchises have played a major role in contributing to the obesity and ill health of Americans. This paper shows how Schlosser argues that fast food giants have contributed to urban sprawl, negatively impacted American culture, and have had a largely negative impact. The author of the paper shows that Schlosser's thesis is largely convincing, due to both his careful analysis and his powerful and effective writing style. The paper shows that the book makes the reader challenge many long-held convictions about the fast food industry in America and worldwide.
From the Paper "Despite his heavy thesis, and depressing conclusions, Fast Food Nation offers some hope for the future. He notes, "there is nothing inevitable about the fast food industry", and argues that careful legislation could help to lessen the impact of fast food advertising on America's children. At the end of the book, he calls Americans to action, and urges them to press for changes in the fast food industry, noting that Americans can still "have it your way", an obvious take on McDonald's famous advertising slogan. Further, his engaging writing style also helps to keep the book from becoming overbearing and depressing."
Abstract This paper takes a look at how the media influences the way adolescents view the ideal body image. The author examines the type of stereotypes that the media encourages and the way that this effects society.
From the Paper "Adolescence is a time for learning and growth. This time can be easier to handle by some than others. For some it can be a revelation of new experiences and ideas, while adolescence can also be a difficult, stressful time for those trying to discover themselves. This can affect themselves as well as those around them. During this time, adolescents are likely to identify with those around them, their peers. Identifying with peers can help adolescents along by giving them the opportunity to see how others deal with problems similar to their own and by offering their own advice to those who need it. Along with this, adolescents are liable to worry about their body image, and may want to conform to those who have achieved the "desired" image. This image may be thin, muscular, or just average. Nevertheless, some adolescents will go too far to achieve this image, usually this is done by adolescent females who wish to become thin. This can be attributed to media's portrayal of women. The majority of women in ads, television and movies are thin and are seen as attractive because of this. Adolescent girls will see these women and may want their image as their own, and some will go to any lengths to acquire this. This in turn could lead to the idea that during this process of change and growing up, adolescents are often concerned about their physical image, which is influenced by the media."
Abstract This paper looks at the escalating problem of obesity in children and how many people attribute the problem to the marketing strategies of fast foods. The arguments supporting this position and the need for fast-food regulation are discussed in the paper, and the factors and statistics used in these arguments are cited. The paper then presents the arguments that oppose the regulation of fast-food marketing strategies and concludes with the author's suggestion on how best to solve the problem of childhood obesity.
From the Paper "Many nutrition experts blame this trend on poor nutrition and sugar snacks. Deborah Crooks criticizes the sale of unhealthy snacks in schools, saying many of these snacks are "high in fat and sugar" (Crooks, qtd in "Sale of snack foods in schools may contribute to obesity in children"). Many of these snacks are dispensed from bright vending machines and packaged in wrappers containing popular cartoon or movie characters and even celebrity endorsers."
Abstract This paper analyzes the influence of mass media on the everyday diet of Americans. The author discusses the inconsistencies of food and nutrition news reported by the media that confuse and frustrate consumers and lead to poor diet and lifestyle choices.
From the Paper "Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but you may need a scorecard to decide what to eat. Will knocking back a few cups of java (a) raise your risk of pancreatic cancer, (b) lead to arthritis, or (c) protect you from Parkinson's disease? Is it butter or margarine that is healthier on your toast? Are eggs OK or did you get the message scrambled? One has good reason to be confused and not just at breakfast. Americans get the bulk of their nutrition news from TV, magazines, and newspapers where the latest findings are proclaimed by just about anyone in a lab coat (Kulman 1). These findings are sometimes contradictory to established research conclusions and leave consumers unsure of what to really think."
Abstract This paper examines the debate between the East and West on the issue of safety on genetically modified food. The author looks at the argument concerning the food's safety, and possible effects on the human body, labeling of such products, and how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration use modified foods.
From the Paper "The world as we know it is divided into two parts---the secular West and the cultural East. Both have different manners of living and while the West blooms in progress the East is more restricted as it looks for the morality and values behind the progress being made. In such a division controversies like genetically-engineered food bring home the difference as both the divides through the globe argue the safety of the food-albeit on different grounds. At the heart of the debate lies the argument that as yet, the effects of genetically modified crops and products on the human body are not known. However, there is no conclusive evidence of whether or not they can be harmful.."
Tags: east, west, FDA, poison, biotechnology, risk, label, population, health
Abstract This paper discusses the condition that plagues thousands of people each year, anorexia nervosa. The author examines which populations frequently deal with the disease, the symptoms, the risks, and hospitalization and rehabilitation. The paper looks at the psychology behind this many times fatal eating disorder.
From the Paper:
"American society women are given the message starting from a very young age that in order to be successful and happy, they must be thin. Eating disorders are on the rise; it's not surprising given the value which society places on being thin. Television and magazine advertising show the image of glamorous and thin models are everywhere. Thousands of teenage girls are starving themselves daily in an effort to attain what the fashion industry considers to be the ideal figure. An average female model weighs 23% less than the recommended weight for a woman. Maintaining a weight 20% below your expected body weight fits the criteria for the emotional eating disorder known as anorexia."
Abstract This paper examines what the benefits of exercise are. It then looks at why exercise is so good for us which leads to a discussion of the best reason to exercise. The writer concludes that the best reason to exercise is that it has a spiral effect in that not only is it good for the health of our body and mind, but it promotes other practices that further increase the benefits to health.
From the Paper "The benefits of exercise are both many and varied. The American Heart Association lists benefits which include: reduced risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, prevention of bone loss, increased energy levels, decreased stress and tension, assistance with sleep, improved self-image, increased muscle strength and delayment and prevention of chronic illnesses (AHA, The Benefits of Daily Physical Activity). As can be seen, the benefits are not only to body but also to mind. Other studies report that exercises prevents diseases including arthritis, cancer and heart disease (Nicola). A report into health promotion and aging also cited various benefits of exercise including a reduced incidence of: heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, depression, anxiety and osteoporotic fractures (CDC)."
From the Paper "Many people are familiar with the terms anorexia and bulimia. The reason is that in this time and day, many more cases of these eating disorders have been reported. The group most affected by these eating disorders is teenagers and young women. However, more men are becoming victims of eating disorders. Could you spot a person that suffers from anorexia or bulimia? In some cases you could, and in others you cannot, such as in AIDS patients. In some cases, you couldn"t tell even if the person sat next to you, but in other cases such as those that underwent chemotherapy, it is easier to identify. There are many severe effects for people that suffer from anorexia or bulimia. However, there's also a lot more help than there was decades ago. Hopefully, the more educated people become about eating disorders, the less we"ll be hearing about the lives they claim."
Abstract This paper talks about the supplement, Creatine which is now one of the most popular supplements on the market. It discusses what it is and what it does, and how this controversial supplement can affect the lives of anyone who takes it.
From the paper:
"The first question that pops into your mind when you are about to take something new that you haven?t yet heard of is, "what's in this".
Creatine is a compound that can be made in our bodies or taken as a dietary supplement. The chemical name for Creatine is methyl guanidine-acetic acid. Creatine is made up of three amino acids - Arginine, Glycine and Methionine. Our liver has the ability to combine these three amino acids and make creatine. The other way we get creatine is from our diet (Absolute Creatine)."
