Introduction to the Activity
This Evaluate writing assignment addresses Course Outcome 2. You have read and viewed the assigned materials discussing how foods high in fat and sugar affect the brain. You have learned how advertisements are designed to cause us to desire fat and sugar, which can lead to overconsumption. In this writing assignment, you will further analyze the brain’s role in overeating and why some of us are more likely to give into these cravings than others. Finally, you will describe how the food industry uses advertisements that cause our brains to crave unhealthy foods. Be sure to support your work with the learning materials provided and any additional references that you would like to include.
Please see the Readings and Materials page for review.
Instructions to Learners
In your essay, please address the following questions:
- What is the brain’s role in overeating?
- Using at least two of the listed readings in the module from this week, describe what happens in our brains to cause us to overeat, especially food high in fat and sugar.
- Why are some of us more likely to overeat than others?
- How do food advertisers capitalize on our brains’ responses to food?
Your essay will be evaluated in terms of how thoroughly you: answer the questions above; use resources to document your main points, and properly cite referenced work. Your essay should address all of the questions above and should consist of approximately 500 words of text (approximately 2 pages of double-spaced and 12 point font of text). Be sure to include specific examples and references from this week’s readings and any additional references you would like to include. Use in-text citations and a reference list that will make up an additional page.
To successfully complete M3.4 Evaluate, you will need to organize your responses to the questions and then craft a formatted essay that includes each of the following:
- A title page.
- A well-developed introductory paragraph explaining the purpose of the essay and briefly referencing some of the main points/contentions offered in the essay.
- The body of the essay should consist of your effort to best answer the primary questions from the assignment prompt and should consist of approximately 500 words of text (approximately 2 pages of double-spaced and 12 point font of text). Though the method by which this is done is largely up to you, it is essential that the responses to the questions in the prompt be based upon scholarly readings and should remain at all times defensible (in an academic sense). You have a great deal of information to draw from in creating your essay, including the assigned readings and hyperlinked sources in the Module Notes. As is the case with every assignment in SOC221, presenting any unsubstantiated, illogical, or indefensible position will have an adverse effect on the final grade. Please direct any questions regarding these expectations to the instructor.
- A concise concluding paragraph that briefly restates both the purpose of the essay as well as some of the primary arguments offered by you, the essay’s author. Be sure the concluding paragraph does not introduce new information.
- A list of all sources consulted the preparation of the essay. The essay should be formatted according to APA-style documentation.(Links to an external site.) This includes the format of the list of references.
M3.4 Evaluate is due at the end of Module 3 by Sunday at 11:59 PM EST.
This course fully integrates Turnitin. Be sure to view the Turnitin instructionsbefore submitting.
Submission
Compose your work using a word processor (or other software as appropriate) and save it frequently to your computer. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you upload it. When you are ready to submit your work, click “Browse My Computer” and find your file. Once you have located your file, click “Open” and, if successful, the file name will appear under the Attached files heading. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Submit.”
Evaluation
M3.4 Evaluate is worth 12% of your overall course grade and will be assessed by the SLA Writing Rubric. Review this rubric carefully so that you understand how you will be graded.
Expert Solution Preview
The brain plays a significant role in overeating, particularly when it comes to consuming foods high in fat and sugar. When we eat these types of foods, the brain releases chemicals such as dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and reward. This release of dopamine reinforces the behavior of eating these foods, making us more likely to continue overeating.
According to the readings from this module, there are several mechanisms in our brains that contribute to overeating of high fat and sugar foods. One such mechanism is the activation of the brain’s reward system. When we consume these foods, the reward system is triggered, leading to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Over time, this can create a strong association between these foods and positive emotions, making it more difficult to resist cravings.
Another mechanism involves the impact of these foods on our brain’s reward sensitivity. Research has shown that consuming foods high in fat and sugar can desensitize the brain’s reward system, leading to a reduced response to healthy, less rewarding foods. This can result in a preference for high-fat and high-sugar foods, as they provide a more intense reward response.
Individual differences also play a role in why some of us are more likely to overeat than others. Genetic factors can influence our susceptibility to overeating, as certain genes may predispose individuals to have a lower ability to regulate food intake. Additionally, environmental factors such as stress, availability of food, and cultural influences can contribute to overeating tendencies in some individuals.
Food advertisers take advantage of our brain’s response to food by designing advertisements that specifically target our cravings for high-fat and high-sugar foods. These advertisements often use persuasive techniques such as appealing visuals, catchy slogans, and celebrity endorsements to trigger our desire for these unhealthy foods. They also strategically place these advertisements in locations where we are more likely to encounter them, such as near grocery stores or during popular television shows.
In conclusion, the brain plays a crucial role in overeating, particularly when it comes to high-fat and high-sugar foods. The release of dopamine and the activation of the brain’s reward system reinforce the behavior of overeating these foods. Individual differences and environmental factors also contribute to overeating tendencies. Food advertisers capitalize on our brain’s response to food by designing persuasive advertisements that trigger our cravings for unhealthy foods. It is important to be aware of these influences and make conscious, healthy choices to maintain a balanced diet.
