Abstract This paper examines studies that have shown that the excessive consumption of fast food by Americans contributes significantly to the obesity problem in the U.S. The paper then takes a look at and analyzes several of the lawsuits that have been filed against fast food restaurants by people claiming that they are suffering from poor health as a result of eating at these restaurants. Next, the paper considers whether the fast food restaurants should indeed be held responsible for the failing health of its customers or if the customers should be responsible for their own health and eating habits.
From the Paper "Since 2002, a number of lawsuits were filed against fast food restaurants, notably McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, and Wendy's for being the primary cause of obesity. With John Banzhaf as the leading advocate of this war against the fast food industry, the lawyers and their victims claimed these restaurants were responsible for their health degradation. After proving that tobacco indeed causes lung cancer and eventual death - and receiving billions of dollars of settlement from tobacco companies - trial lawyers were now clamoring to produce a similar result for the fast food industry. They claimed that these restaurants are directly responsible for their customer's health, and should face serious consequences if they fail to do so. Since these lawsuits began, the food industry acted to make their food healthier. McDonald's, for example, eliminated the "super sized" meals immediately after the release of the documentary film "Super Size Me" (although the company claimed this move had nothing to do with the film whatsoever). Some restaurants also began serving salads and fruit juices to promote healthy eating habits."
