The American family has certainly transformed over the past 20 years. Whether a person lives with two parents or just one parent, they are likely working full time to support the family. In addition to their outside jobs, they have responsibilities for raising children, helping with homework, cleaning the house and providing breakfast, lunch and dinner. Depending on the events of the day, temptation wins and the family gorges on Big Macs, fries and a sugary soft drink. Great, the family is fed, but what are the long term effects of fast food when ingested several times a month. Planning nutritious meals in advance would promote a healthier lifestyle for the American family. Many Americans are defined as obese. Perhaps the convenient Big Mac contributes to Americans being overweight. The most convenient and simplest food may not be the best or healthiest choice for a person's body. McDonald's has become a regular "dining out" for young children and may have lasting negative effects into adulthood. McDonald's has been around for a long time and offered smaller portions years ago. Now a meal can be very large for a dollar more or less. The sizes are therefore increasing with minimal cost, making it affordable for the working class. McDonald's are found all over the world and are easily accessible throughout the city. Hunger can be quickly satisfied by locating the nearest McDonald's. Don't worry about leaving the car, because a drive-thru adds to the convenience of satisfying that hunger. As a multi-million dollar corporation, McDonald's spends many dollars on advertising to demonstrate the ease and popularity of feeding a family. The company fails to provide information regarding...... middle of paper...... trying to start serving more salads by offering a greater variety. People need to educate themselves so that everyone can begin working toward a healthier America. Works Cited Bretton, Peter. “Facts about adult obesity.” Np, January 12, 2014. Web. February 12, 2014. .Martin, Kathy. Our story. Np, February 3, 2014. Web. February 12, 2014. .Olfman, Sharna. Lost Childhood: How American Culture Fails Our Children. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2005. Print. Oliver, J.Eric. Fat Politics: The Real Story Behind America's Obesity Epidemic. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006. Print.Pool, Robert. Fat: tackling the obesity epidemic. New York: Oxford UP, 2001. Print. Varmus, Harold. “Obesity and risks”. Obesity and risks. Np, January 3, 2012. Web. February 15. 2014. .