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How fast food affect people’s health
In all likelihood, we have heard of the phrase eat healthy, live healthy. The message is disseminated using various mainstream media or channels including televisions, radio stations, the Internet, print media, films and others. Without a doubt, the aim is to sensitize the public over a growing problem with regard to diet and diseases. Regrettably, modern societies including the United States have subscribed to systems or habits of food consumption that lead to adverse health effects. Indeed, the past few decades have witnessed increased consumption of fast food products as lifestyle changes continue happening in the society. Undoubtedly, urbanization and globalization have meant that people change their eating habits leading many to consume fancy, high calorie fast foods. Nevertheless, extensive research regarding these foods has been carried out giving a grim picture altogether. The effects on human health are simply devastating, and more needs to be done to curb the menace.
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Fast food is a general term used in describing the types of food prepared in an eatery or café with limited service staff, and from which the majority of foodstuffs are taken away or consumed off premises (Smith, 1-10). The term fast food is closely associated with junk food and it is frequent to find the two used interchangeably- underlining their unhealthy nature. Nonetheless, unhealthy lifestyle including food practices has been shown to have adverse effects on health. A widespread effect on people’s health is contribution to escalating population rates of obesity in America and other developed societies around the world. In fact, the connection between fast food and obesity levels is clear because more people are opting for the easier option by preferring to consume foodstuffs prepared away from home. Worth noting, is that these foods not only are prepared quickly and easily but also accessed quickly. It also means that little consideration –if any- is given to these foods as far as health concerns are concerned. For instance, fast food are known to contain considerably high levels of saturated fat. Aloia et al (4) argues that studies indicate that a positive association exists between frequency of fast food joint use and weight gain. As a result, fast food companies are expanding at unprecedented rates as more people consume these foods. Central obesity, for instance, is becoming all too common in modern, urbanized societies as people consume more fast foods. Altogether, obesity cases have been on the rise thus placing millions of life at risk of developing other health complications. As an example, obesity has been linked to various health conditions including serious illnesses such as coronary artery disease as well as diabetes. In fact, such diseases have been on the rice in recent times and fast foods have steadily been cited as a contributing factor. This indicates that fast food can have devastating impact on human health leading to terminal illnesses among other problems.
Perhaps, the effects of fast food on our health are best captured in M. Spurlock’s film Super Size Me. This work goes beyond the normal to explain the manner in which fast foods are dangerous because of their addictive nature leading to obesity and weight issues. The film is quite clear in delivering its message; that the United States faces an epidemic (obesity and related health challenges) all because of fast food. In essence, fast food harms your health. Indeed, this appears the obvious – but quite worrying considering the disturbing statistics. For instance, the film highlights that up to 60 percent of American have weight issues (Scott web). Such figures are used to draw attention to the fact that fast foods are not only affecting people’s lives but also the quality of life. The film depicts obese persons cruising fast food causeways as an indication that the foods have brought them health issues. In particular, the effect of these foods on people’s health is the fact that they make people eat with less of no planning. People become addicted thus engaging in what may be described as binge meals at fast food restaurants – indicating the rate at which people tend to consume these high calorie products. Often, fast foods are appealing probably because of their attractive coloring as well as dense sugar content. However, one must also know that dense sugar content and high fat content have been linked to dental cavities as well as diabetes among other health problems. In sum, the film highlights the fact that fast food should not form our diets because we are likely to suffer. Most importantly, one is likely to suffer addiction leading to high consumption of these products and hence the many health problems, which may follow in a chain.
Elbel et al (493-500) also evidence the fact that fast foods are highly addictive, as people make these foods their choice. In particular, their study points out that children are likely to prefer these foods probably because of their attractive appearance and or tastes. The result is that obesity continues to plague United States because persons contract this health condition from an early age. More worrying is that obesity and other health related problems continue plaguing the American population despite recent efforts to curb the menace. For instance, there has been heightened public attention or alarm regarding the obesity epidemic as well as laws including calorie menu labeling (Elbel et al 493-500). Nevertheless, such measures are undertaken to help the population make better-informed as well as healthier food choices and perhaps avoid or minimize visits to fast food restaurants. In sum, increases in obesity among children and general population are significantly attributed to unhealthy nutritional habits. Fast food emerges as a well-known contributor to caloric consumption. In addition, it has been directly associated with higher obesity rates among young individuals. Franck et al (2) points out that there has been a steady rise in daily calorie consumption leading many policymakers to believe that targeting food consumption is the best means to address the epidemic.
Smith (1-10) notes it is beyond doubt that portion sizes and waistlines are expanding throughout the country. Restaurant meals have gotten larger as the population emphasizes on getting more food for their money. The result is that people are surrounded by larger portion sizes offered at relatively low prices, and thus appealing to their economic sensibilities. More often than not, however, these foods are unhealthy despite their big sizes. Fast foods from burgers to different types of snacks fall under this category because of their unhealthy characteristics including high calorie. Altogether, the equation is quite simple because people are increasingly becoming addicted to fast foods and thus eating more than they can use. The result is many health problems including obesity and weight gain. As mentioned above, unhealthy weight gain in humans has been linked to a number of health problems including coronary artery disease as well as diabetes. Some of these diseases are terminal and their management may lead to significant costs.
In conclusion, the issue of fast foods is a global concern even though it appears to be affecting developed nations (including the United States) at a greater rate. Perhaps, this is because globalization and or urbanization are significantly higher in such regions and the population has resulted in consuming these types of foods. Nevertheless, consumption of fast food and its impact on people’s health cannot be underestimated. Indeed, this has seen governments and other concerned institutions increase their efforts with regard to sensitizing the public over healthy eating practices for better living. People make choices about what they consume and thus knowledge highlighting the eating habits and nutritional aspects can prove handy. In essence, people equipped with necessary information are likely to make better decisions with regard to what they consume thus avoiding fast food altogether. In particular, a population aware of adverse health effects of these foods is likely to make effort to change towards good eating habits. In total, to avoid the negative health effects, humans ought to change their lifestyles including eating habits. For instance, they need to replace fast food with nutritious food and most probably prepare food at home rather than visiting restaurants offering fast foods. Worryingly, junk food companies have adopted marketing strategies that seem to make them more appealing than nutritious foods. The outcome is that people from different backgrounds are at the risk of developing grave health conditions as they consumer fast foods.
Work cited
Aloia, Christopher et al. Differences in perceptions and fast food eating behaviors between Indians living in high – and low-income neighborhoods of Chandigarh, India. Nutrition Journal 2013, 12:4.
Elbel, B et al. Child and adolescent fast-food choice and the influence of calorie labeling. International Journal of Obesity, (2011), 35, 493–500.
Franck, Caroline et al. Taxing junk food to counter obesity. American Journal of Public Health, November 2013, Vol. 103, No. 11.
Scott, A. Super Size Me (2003). New York Times. 7 May 2004. Available from http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CE5DC163CF934A35756C0A9629C8B 63 03 Aug 2014.
Smith, Lindsey et al. Trends in US home food preparation and consumption: analysis of national nutrition surveys and time use studies from 1965-1966 to 2007-2008. Nutrition Journal. 2013, Vol. 12 Issue 1, Special section p. 1-10.