This issue needs to be addressed by the individual, parents and the government (schools, local, city and federal governments). In order to have an effective campaign and results everyone needs to be on the same page. Corporations can flex their muscles by buying off politicians from Congress to school board members so it will be a tough battle to win. Our culture uses food such as fast food and sweets as a reward. It sets up our children to be obese and relatively unhealthy. Not only does fast food destroy our bodies but the industry is also destroying the environment. The Amazon rain forest are being cut down to raise cattle for fast food beef. MacDonalds is the number one litterer in the country. Eating foods high in animal fat is the number one killer in this country. From the CDC's website "Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2009, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 will have a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one." Heart attacks are usually caused by clogged arteries...clogged with animal fat from meat and dairy. Then there is increase in diabetes which correlates to the increase in the use of high fructose corn syrup. This subsidizes the corn industry in this country which has congress wrapped around their finger. Check out the documentary Meet your Meat...as well as read Fast Food Nation (not the movie) and Mad Cowboy...all are very enlightening....

-- Mike Sweeney
Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising, College of Business and Economics