Fast Food: A Growing Cause of Rising Body Weight? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Fast food refers to foods that people consume quickly, either on or off-site. Fast foods have also been defined as meals that can be prepared swiftly and efficiently served at restaurants, food carts, and related snack bars. Past decades have exhibited increased intake of fast foods characterized by an increased number of junk meals outlets across the United States. It has also resulted in considerable upsurges in the average body weight, especially in wealthy nations. The increased body weight transformations have linked to the change in people's nutritional patterns, with the most notable trends being the increased intake of ultra-processed foods that include fast foods. The use of fast foods in the U.S. has become a pandemic, with more than 2 in 3 adults considered to be overweight or obese (Braithwaite, Irene, et al. 5). Fast foods include pizza, burgers, and french-fries, despite their consumption efficiency and low prices, they have detrimental health effects resulting from their high salt, fats, and calories saturation.

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There are numerous disadvantages associated with consuming fast food. Fast foods can be injurious to the body's health, resulting in nutrition-related illnesses such as diabetes and obesity (Al-Saad 279). Junk foods have also been attributed to health difficulties such as cardiac illnesses that can be fatal and the development of cancer or stroke. According to Al-Saad (279), fast foods can also harm the brain by altering an individual's mental health. Some mental health disorders attributed to fast foods include depression (Al-Saad 280). According to Braithwaite, Irene et al. (2), individuals that overindulge in consuming junk foods are 51% more likely to suffer depression in contrast to those that consume small or no junk food portions at all. According to Braithwaite, Irene et al. (5), a single portion of deep-fried potatoes per week increases the threat of females' breast cancer among teens. Consuming junk foods at least once in a week increases the danger of suffering from acute coronary heart diseases, with the risk doubling for people that consume them for two or three times per week (Braithwaite, Irene, et al. 7).

Consumption of fast foods also has detrimental effects on youngsters and children. Notably, children that consume nutrient-rich foods perform better academically compared to their counterparts that are deprived of vital nutrients (Braithwaite, Irene, et al. 3). Children that are offered well-balanced meals have been established to be less agitated, being in control of their moods, and being more obliging (Braithwaite, Irene, et al. 3). Besides, it is challenging to control junk food consumption habits among children, and it may follow them into adulthood. Consumption of fast foods may also result in childhood obesity, which may lead to their bullying (Braithwaite, Irene, et al. 4). Children who overindulge in eating chocolate and sweets are most likely associated with violence, drug misapplications, and abuse later in life (Braithwaite, Irene, et al. 4).

Some of the provided reasons for fast food consumption include women shifting from their traditional gender-based roles into professionals employments. Traditionally women were tasked with preparing food and caregiving, but modern-day professional employments have rendered them very busy to cook. Therefore, fast foods present themselves as an easy option since they are easily prepared. Fast foods are available at meager cost; as such, people have become accustomed to fast food take away, home delivery, and drive through pickups. The value for time has also resulted in increased fast food intake. People no longer have time to cook, resulting from their busy work schedules (Paeratakul, Sahasporn, et al. 1334). The increased fast food intake is also attributed to digital media influence, especially fancy junk food television advertisements (Paeratakul, Sahasporn, et al. 1335). Junk foods are often advertised on T.V.; they easily influence families into consuming junk foods such as pizza, chips, and pasta. Peer pressure has been identified as the most common attribution to fast food intake by youngsters (Paeratakul, Sahasporn, et al. 1337).

Junk food can be avoided by creating awareness of their detrimental health effects (Schilling). Nonetheless, there is scarce knowledge about the adverse effects of fast food consumption in the community. Consumption of healthy foods demands extra cooking efforts and skills. The best approach to avert the use of junk diets is inspiring families and individuals to consume healthy foods (Schilling). Some foods that support healthy eating include consuming meals that are low in fat, saturated fatty acid, and less drenched in salts (Schilling). Healthy high-fiber meals that should be consumed comprise of whole-grain meals, salads, and fruits (Schilling). Other healthy foods that should be consumed include foods that are moderate in sugar and salt (Schilling). Healthy foods should contain adequate calcium and iron to help in the day-to-day calcium necessities and satisfy the daily iron rations, respectively. Children should be controlled against the overconsumption of fast foods. School administration and parents can help in mitigating children's consumption of fast food by educating children on the adverse effects associated with fast foods (Schilling).

Conclusion

In conclusion, fast foods are foods that are swiftly and quickly prepared for people to consume at restaurants, food carts, and related snack bars. Fast foods have a myriad of detrimental effects on the consumer's body. Some adverse health effects include diabetes, obesity, cardiac illnesses, cancer, strokes, or depression. Increased fast food intake is attributed to their low cost and ease in preparing. Increased fast food intake is also associated with people's busy work schedules, digital media influence, especially fancy junk food television advertisements, and peer pressure. Consumption of junk food can be avoided by creating awareness of their detrimental health effects or inspiring families and individuals to consume healthy foods that are low in fat, salts, and saturated fatty acid. People should be encouraged to consume foods that are high in calcium, iron, or fiber, such as whole-grain meals, salads, and fruits. People should also be encouraged to consume foods that are moderate in sugar and salt. The growth of fast food consumption across the globe concedes with the rise of obesity, heart diseases, stroke, and other illnesses. Parents must encourage their kids to consume homemade meals that discourage their intake of junk meals. It averts the consumption of fast foods, which minimizes lifestyle disorders among adults and children.

Works Cited

Al-Saad, Eman. "Causes and effects of fast food." Biomed J Sci Tech Res 5 (2016): 279-280. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d3ee/caf8be4bada5f38372c28919212a244c74d5.pdf. Accessed 22 April 2020.

Braithwaite, Irene, et al. "Fast-food consumption and body mass index in children and adolescents: an international cross-sectional study." BMJ Open 4.12 (2014): e005813. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/12/e005813.short. Accessed 22 April 2020.

Paeratakul, Sahasporn, et al. "Fast-food consumption among U.S. adults and children: dietary and nutrient profile." Journal of the Dietetic Association 103.10 (2003): 1332-1338. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002822303010861. Accessed 22 April 2020.

Schilling, Ray. "What To Do To Stop Eating Junk Food." (2018).https://www.askdrray.com/what-to-do-to-stop-eating-junk-food/. Accessed 22 April 2020.