Obesity Has Established Itself - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 855 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/03/22 Category Health Essay Level High school Tags: Obesity Essay Obesity in America Essay Did you like this example? Obesity has established itself as one of the fastest growing diseases in the nation and continues to make a substantial impact on the general population today. The sheer number of individuals who can be classified as obese in the U.S. has made obesity synonymous with the identity of an American. Dietitians and Psychologists have argued over the various causes as to why the number of Obesity is rising so much in American people. However undeniably, the fast food industry and its alluring advertisements is a major cause of Obesity in America. Obesity is a condition in which the body accumulates an abnormally large amount of adipose tissue, or fat (DeAngelo et al.). The concept of what qualifies an individual to be obese has been skewed by the media. Shows, such as My 600-lb Life and The Biggest Loser, portray individuals who are exceptionally obese as a standard example of an obese individual. Obesity is identified using the Body Mass Index (BMI), the measurement of a person using weight in relation to height. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to be considered obese an individual must have a BMI of 30 or over. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Obesity Has Established Itself" essay for you Create order That means that an individual with a height of 59 and weight of 203 lbs. or more is considered obese. Thus, proving that obesity is much more feasible for individuals in America than one many think. About 38 percent of American adults were obese in 2013 and 2014, up from 35 percent in 2011 and 2012 (Tavernise). Food has always been a key signifier of what a culture may value. The preparation, ingredients, and customs that revolve around food are all fundamental in the examination of any group of people. As a result, what people choose to eat can reveal where their priorities lie and what sort of lifestyle they have. Quintessential examples of fast food, such as hamburgers, hotdogs, french-fries, and friend chicken, have become associated as standard American foods. The fast food industrys popularity continues to grow and plays a pivotal role in the development of American identity. Over the past decade the industry has grown rapidly into a multibillion-dollar business. According to the International Business Times, in 2012, the total revenue generated by the fast food industry totaled $195.19 billion (International Business Times). Fast food is loved for its convenience, affordable prices, and taste. Before the industry came to be, people were restricted in how they could satisfy their hunger because of the length of time required to cook and prepare a meal. People now have more convenient options because of the availability of fast food. The fast food industry has provided ways for people to shorten the time required to make and consume meals while being especially ideal for those in automobiles. This emphasis on speed fits perfectly into contemporary American life. The major drawback of fast food is its nutritional value. Fast foods tend t o be highly processed, full of added sugars, salt, saturated fats, or trans fats. For perspective, based on the McDonalds website the nutrition value of a Big Mac with large fries and a large Coke contains 1,330 calories, 52 g of fat, 1,360mg of sodium. The U.S. dietary guidelines generally recommend individuals consume no more than 2,000 calories, 65 grams of fat, and 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day (Americas Best Worst Fast Food). Based off this, that means from one meal from McDonalds an individual is getting 66.5% of the daily caloric intake, 80% of the daily fat intake, and 59.1% of the daily sodium intake. If the individual decides to eat a fast food restaurant more than once a day, they will more than likely surpass their dietary guidelines. It is much easier to over eat in America A crucial component to the escalation of the fast food industry is advertising. The constant exposure to advertisements has compelled millions of Americans to love fast food using various tactics such as, key words, repetition, claims, association, bandwagon, and promotions. Who wouldnt want a delicious and delectable cheeseburger for the low price of $1 at your local McDonalds. Additionally, advertisements made by fast food promote an image of happiness with friends and families spending time together. People believe, or want to believe, that they will be happy when they purchase the food because the actors appear content. There are no overweight people in fast food ads; actors are in shape and smiling. Obesity was bound to become a part of Americas identity. Americas cultural values, efficiency, capitalism, etc., with the creation of fast food was a recipe for success. Americans fell in love with the concept and how they could alleviate another nuisance from their daily lives, the stress of cooking. The promise of a cheap and quick meal was too good, and nobody wanted to question it. However, as of recent years Americans are becoming more health and nutrition conscious, but only after 38% of the population has been classified as obese. Fast food is not the only cause of obesity, other factors such as, lack of physical activity, nutrition education, medical history, mental illnesses, and much more are also responsible. Nevertheless, fast food and its advertising are rooted to the cause of Americas identity as obese.

Colombian Independence Day July 20, 1810

On July 20, 1810, Colombian patriots stirred the population of Bogotà ¡ into street protests against Spanish rule. The Viceroy, under pressure, was forced to agree to allow for a limited independence which later became permanent. Today, July 20 is celebrated in Colombia as Independence Day. An Unhappy Population The were numerous reasons for independence. The emperor Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain in 1808, imprisoned King Ferdinand VII, and put his brother Joseph Bonaparte on the Spanish throne, infuriating most of Spanish America. In 1809, New Granada politician Camilo Torres Tenorio wrote his famous Memorial de Agravios (â€Å"Remembrance of Offenses†) about repeated Spanish slights against Creoles—native-born descendants of early French, Spanish, and Portuguese settlers—who often could not hold high offices and whose trade was restricted. His sentiments were echoed by many. By 1810, the people of New Granada (now Colombia) were unhappy with Spanish rule. Pressure for Colombian Independence By July of 1810, the city of Bogota was a holdout for Spanish rule in the region. To the south, leading citizens of Quito had attempted to wrest control of their government from Spain in August of 1809: this revolt had been put down and the leaders were thrown in a dungeon. To the east, Caracas had declared provisional independence on April 19. Even within New Granada, there was pressure: the important seaside city of Cartagena had declared independence in May and other small towns and regions had followed suit. All eyes turned to Bogota, the seat of the Viceroy. Conspiracies and Flower Vases Bogota’s patriots had a plan. On the morning of the 20th, they would ask well-known Spanish merchant Joaquà ­n Gonzalez Llorente to borrow a flower vase with which to adorn a table for a celebration in honor of Antonio Villavicencio, a well-known patriot sympathizer. It was assumed that Llorente, who had a reputation for irascibility, would refuse. His refusal would be the excuse to provoke a riot and force the Viceroy to hand power over to the Creoles. Meanwhile, Joaquà ­n Camacho would go to the Viceregal palace and request an open council: the rebel leaders knew that this, too, would be refused. Camacho proceeded to the home of Viceroy Antonio Josà © Amar y Borbà ³n, where the petition for an open town meeting regarding independence was predictably denied. Meanwhile, Luà ­s Rubio went to ask Llorente for the flower vase. By some accounts, he refused rudely, and by others, he declined politely, forcing the patriots to go to plan B, which was to antagonize him into saying something rude. Either Llorente obliged them or they made it up: it didn’t matter. Patriots ran through the streets of Bogota, claiming that both Amar y Borbà ³n and Llorente had been rude. The population, already on edge, was easy to incite. Riot in Bogota The people of Bogota took to the streets to protest Spanish arrogance. The intervention of Bogota Mayor Josà © Miguel Pey was necessary to save the skin of the unfortunate Llorente, who was attacked by a mob. Guided by patriots like Josà © Marà ­a Carbonell, the lower classes of Bogota made their way to the main square, where they loudly demanded an open town meeting to determine the future of the city and New Granada. Once the people were sufficiently stirred up, Carbonell then took some men and surrounded the local cavalry and infantry barracks, where the soldiers did not dare attack the unruly mob. Meanwhile, patriot leaders returned to Viceroy Amar y Borbà ³n and tried to get him to consent to a peaceful solution: If he agreed to hold a town meeting to elect a local governing council, they would see to it that he would be part of the council. When Amar y Borbà ³n hesitated, Josà © Acevedo y Gà ³mez made an impassioned speech to the angry crowd, directing them to the Royal Audience, where the Viceroy was meeting with the Creoles. With a mob at his doorstep, Amar y Borbà ³n had no choice but to sign the act which permitted a local ruling council and eventually independence. Legacy of the July 20 Conspiracy Bogotà ¡, like Quito and Caracas, formed a local ruling council which supposedly would rule until such time as Ferdinand VII was restored to power. In reality, it was the sort of measure that cannot be undone, and as such was the first official step on Colombias path to freedom which would culminate in 1819 with the Battle of Boyacà ¡ and Simà ³n Bolà ­vars triumphant entry into Bogotà ¡. Viceroy Amar y Borbà ³n was allowed to sit on the council for a while before being arrested. Even his wife was arrested, mostly to appease the wives of Creole leaders who detested her. Many of the patriots involved in the conspiracy, such as Carbonell, Camacho, and Torres, went on to become important leaders of Colombia over the next few years. Although Bogotà ¡ had followed Cartagena and other cities in rebellion against Spain, they did not unite. The next few years would be marked by such civil strife between the independent regions and cities that the era would become known as the Patria Boba which roughly translates as Idiot Nation or Foolish Fatherland. It wasnt until Colombians began fighting the Spanish instead of one another that New Granada would continue on its path to freedom. Colombians are very patriotic and enjoy celebrating their Independence Day with feasts, traditional food, parades, and parties. Sources Bushnell, David. The Making of Modern Colombia: A Nation in Spite of Itself. University of California Press, 1993.Harvey, Robert. Liberators: Latin Americas Struggle for Independence Woodstock: The Overlook Press, 2000.Lynch, John. The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826 New York: W. W. Norton Company, 1986.Santos Molano, Enrique. Colombia dà ­a a dà ­a: una cronologà ­a de 15,000 aà ±os. Bogota: Planeta, 2009.Scheina, Robert L. Latin Americas Wars, Volume 1: The Age of the Caudillo 1791-1899 Washington, D.C.: Brasseys Inc., 2003.

Plato Defends Rationalism Free Essays

Plato Defends Rationalism Plato was a highly educated Athenian Philosopher. He lived from 428-348 B. C. We will write a custom essay sample on Plato Defends Rationalism or any similar topic only for you Order Now Plato spent the early portion of his life as a disciple to Socrates, which undoubtedly helped shape his philosophical theories. One topic that he explored was epistemology. Epistemology is the area of philosophy that deals with questions concerning knowledge, and that considers various theories of knowledge (Lawhead 52). Plato had extremely distinct rationalistic viewpoints. Rationalism is the claim that reason, or intellect, is the primary source of our fundamental knowledge about reality (55). By examining Plato’s philosophical position on the three basic epistemological questions, as well as analyzing his ability to justify the three anchor points of rationalism, it is clear to see that Plato was successful in defending rationalism. There are three basic questions that are the basis for determining the difference between each of the epistemological viewpoints. The first of these is: Is knowledge possible? In order to understand exactly what is being asked here, it is important to consider the agreed definition of knowledge as being a â€Å"true justified belief† (53). Plato believed that yes, it is possible to have knowledge. He claimed that as long as one has the ability to recognize something as false, they are capable of having knowledge. The second question is: Does reason provide us with knowledge of the world independently of experience? Plato would also answer yes to this question as well. Many objected to this, believing that knowledge was a result of sense experience rather than reason. Plato examined this theory (empiricism); he argued that, because the physical world is subject to change, there can be no real truth in knowledge that is based solely on one’s senses. He then used the examples Justice, Goodness, and Equality to justify his argument that there are some things that we cannot come to know through experience alone, thus casting doubt on the empiricist theory. Plato expands on the teachings of Socrates, and acknowledges the concept that we already have ideas or principles that are contained in our mind prior to experience, called innate ideas (73). The third and final question is: Does our knowledge represent reality as it really is? To this question, he would answer yes. Plato’s distinction between innate ideas and sense experience bring us to understand his true sense of reality. Our innate ideas are the foundation from which we are able to possess rational knowledge. Rational knowledge, as Plato explains, gives us the ability to differentiate between invariable â€Å"Forms† (Universals) and the ever changing characteristics that are recognized through sense experiences. Plato believes that knowledge of Universals provide us with knowledge of the fundamental features of reality, which are nonphysical, eternal, and unchanging (81). The three anchor points of Rationalism expand on the question discussed above, Does reason provide us with knowledge of the world independently of experience? The first anchor point is: Reason is the primary or most superior source of knowledge about reality (72). Plato proves this point to be true by determining that it is through unchanging, Universal knowledge, that we come to find reality. The second anchor point is: Sense experience is an unreliable and inadequate route to knowledge (73). Plato questions the reliability and adequacy of sense experience, due to the fact that there are things that we are simply unable to experience in the physical world. If knowledge comes strictly from experience, and we are unable to experience some things, how is it that we come to find such knowledge? Plato also argues that sense experiences are subject to individual interpretation, and are ever changing. Knowledge cannot be based on inconstant perception. The final anchor point of rationalism is: The fundamental truths about the world can be known a priori (independently of, or prior to, experience): They are either innate or self-evident to our minds (73). Plato believed that knowledge was contained in our soul from preexistence, and was independent of human experiences. He came to the conclusion that it is from these innate ideas that we are able to recognize reality. Plato’s view on epistemology is extremely consistent with that of rationalism. He was able to successfully justify his beliefs, not only by proving his theory, but also by disproving alternative theories. Plato recognized the fact that knowledge is possible. He believed that the ability to identify something as false can only come from knowing truth. This was the first step in his philosophical journey. In his quest to determine the source, and explore the characteristics of knowledge, he made several valid arguments. Plato’s strongest argument was that we cannot base our knowledge directly on experience, because there are circumstances in which our senses do not provide us with reliable truths. Not only did this make it apparent that experience is not concrete enough to act as a basis for knowledge, thus disproving the imperialistic theory, but it also helped justify his theory of Universals. Plato was able to prove that reason, by way of innate ideas, leads us to knowledge, as it was defined above, a true justified belief. This rational knowledge, in turn, leads us to the knowledge of reality. Plato spent much of his life studying philosophy, and the concept of knowledge. After finding fault in other epistemological theories, he was led to develop a philosophy of his own. Plato’s approach toward epistemology was considerably different from that of other philosophers in his day. His rationalistic viewpoints were extremely influential. He brought light to the concept of Universals, which had a great impact on the work of philosophers after him. Plato was able to explain knowledge from all aspects, which set him apart from others. Plato was not only able to conclude that knowledge is possible, he was also able to explain how knowledge is obtained. By examining Plato’s philosophical position on the three basic epistemological questions, as well as analyzing his ability to justify the three anchor points of rationalism, it is clear to see that Plato was successful in defending rationalism. Works Cited Lawhead, William F. The Philosophical Journey: An Interactive Approach. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 52-81. Print How to cite Plato Defends Rationalism, Papers