fast food dangerous for health essay

Fast Food Effects on Human Health

Fast food poses a profound negative impact on health due to the dynamic preparation means and the reliance on carbohydrates. Apart from the reuse of oils, a significant percentage of junk lacks a balanced diet for consumers. The phenomenon results in the ideological perspectives of increased obesity and the emergence of lifestyle diseases. This research utilizes analytical methodologies in comparing previous records between 2019 and 2021 to determine the effect of fast foods on individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Further, the researcher integrates certain values encompassing gender, age, ethnicity, and range of income. Although the TEAM experienced limitations concerning subjective responses posing higher bias scores, they alleviated the incumbent by using descriptive and inferential statistics. During modeling, the significant variant is logical regression against cross-validation.

Introduction

The popularity and consumption rate of fast-food restaurants is one of the trending issues in cities and towns. The ease engulfs the concept of low costs, desired taste, hasty preparation, and convenient locations (Fryar et al., 2020). Primarily, the cafeteria emergence offers an ultimate solution regarding feeding habits. However, it is a phenomenon that also increases the rate of health risks among consumers. The consistent use of the suet at high temperatures leads to the breaking down the chemical compounds into significantly toxic elements for the human body. Although fast food offers an ultimate convenient solution to dieting, it is a multidimensional phenomenon that increases consumers’ health risks.

Factors that Influence Effect of Fast Food

One of the issues posed in fast food restaurants is the primary use of the deep-frying cooking technique. A significant percentage of the meal preparation approaches optimize frizzling as the fastest and most convenient catering service (Fryar et al., 2020). To boost the profit margin, the chef uses less oil to sear the food in large amounts. In some cases, the cook recycles the oil cause of economic sustenance. However, the utilization determines the rate of health risk to the consumers due to the breaking down of the chemical compounds.

Project Overview

Project objectives.

There is a proficient dataset corresponding to the research question, “Effect of fast food on human health.” The dataset includes food price comparisons, health metrics, and obesity statistics. The source material relates to the research question encompassing the dynamic effect of junk eating on individuals. In this case, the article provides an in-depth analysis of the variation across sexuality and ethnic groups concerning the feeding habits and the attributable causes of the lifestyle (Fryar et al., 2020). The organization in charge of the contextual baseline for the publication is National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which manages data collection concerning the well-being index among Americans.

NCHS is a component of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that focuses on assessing the impact of lifestyle illnesses on nationalities. It is a practice that profoundly provides insights into the significant medical issues and the causative agents across the population. Fryar et al.’s (2020) report is a compilation of the comparative approach concerning the 2015 to 2018 records on the impact of fast food on people along the gradient of age, gender, and ethnic diversity. The sample size will be determined by the population metrics of the data sources. The research fosters the overview of critical variables relevant in this study involving the eminence of fatty foods and the intermittent consequence of obesity.

Analytic Questions

• Is it cheaper to eat fast food than home-cooked meals?
• Does fast food damage your mental health as well as your physical health?
• What is fast food’s contribution to obesity in the US?

Specific Details

This study will use information from 2019 to 2021 as the primary data source for analysis concerning the impact of fast food on the human body. The analysis focuses on the trickle-down effect on the lifestyle among the nationalities. Therefore, the survey will include the US due to the proficient impact of the practice among the residents. Three rows and instances will be used in order to include three key metrics. The data features involve evaluating the relationship between feeding habits from convenient restaurants and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of coronavirus led to the lockdown of American and other global nations’ economies.

Data Wrangling

The number of rows will be three for a better comprehension of the discussion subject. The critical data features incorporated in the final project enshrine a comparison of the gender, age, ethnicity, and income differential range relative to the tendencies to consume products from a cafeteria. The marginalization under the mainframe of such inequities as education, occupation, and income cause the interdependence between convenient cafeteria outlets and poor households.

The TEAM intends to use logical regression in the exploration of the findings and justification of the objectives. It is an entity that engulfs the intersectionality of statistical overview against the logistics from the realm. During the data collection process, the significant errors involve the subjective interpretation of respondents’ attitudes toward dieting that risks bias. However, the TEAM will utilize descriptive and inferential statistics to complete the phase. The transformation used by the TEAM involved the utilization of several datasets within a closed time period to establish the key variable of objectivity during the data analysis.

The assessment approach renders the comprehension concerning the goals of the study on the impact of fast food on healthy living among people. Different aspects contribute to the dynamic effect of the framework among the personalities hence the importance of understanding the impact on mental health, obesity, and cost-efficiency.

Fryar, C., Carroll, M., Ahluwalia, N., & Ogden, C. (2020). Fast food intake among children and adolescents in the United States, 2015-2018 . NCHS Data Brief . Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 23). Fast Food Effects on Human Health. https://ivypanda.com/essays/fast-food-effects-on-human-health/

"Fast Food Effects on Human Health." IvyPanda , 23 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/fast-food-effects-on-human-health/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Fast Food Effects on Human Health'. 23 November.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Fast Food Effects on Human Health." November 23, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/fast-food-effects-on-human-health/.

1. IvyPanda . "Fast Food Effects on Human Health." November 23, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/fast-food-effects-on-human-health/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Fast Food Effects on Human Health." November 23, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/fast-food-effects-on-human-health/.

• Role of Tissue in Space
• Organizational Theory by Hatch & Cunliffe: Chapter 10
• Business Plan: Oloibon Eateries
• Management of Sir Charles Wilberforce Hospital
• School Fundraiser Event: Conventional Foodservice
• Breast Feeding vs. Formula Feeding
• Soap Producers and Distributors Ltd Human Resources Management
• Juvenile Delinquency: The Columbine Shootings
• Project Management Metrics Reporting and Its Risks
• Beverly Tatum’s Monolog About Injustice of Racism
• Ideology of Fast Food Industry Development
• Increment of Trans Fats in Dietary Make-Up a Misguided Move
• The Fast Food Culture in Saudi Arabia
• Fast Food and Gender: Is There a Relation?
• Regulation of the Fast Food Industry: Review

Search form

An opinion essay about fast food.

Look at the exam question and essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills. 

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Check your understanding: matching

Check your vocabulary: gap fill, check your writing: multiple choice, worksheets and downloads.

Is fast food popular in your country? Do you think it causes health problems or any other kinds of problems?

Sign up to our newsletter for LearnEnglish Teens

We will process your data to send you our newsletter and updates based on your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. Read our privacy policy for more information.

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Food Fast Food

Cause and Effect of Fast Food: the Impact on Health and Society

Table of contents, causes of fast food consumption, effects on physical well-being, cultural and societal impact, economic considerations, promoting healthier lifestyles, conclusion: balancing convenience and health.

• Ludwig, D. S., Peterson, K. E., & Gortmaker, S. L. (2001). Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis. The Lancet, 357(9255), 505-508.
• Malik, V. S., Pan, A., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2013). Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 98(4), 1084-1102.
• Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., Robinson-O'Brien, R., & Glanz, K. (2008). Creating healthy food and eating environments: policy and environmental approaches. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 253-272.
• Stuckler, D., McKee, M., Ebrahim, S., & Basu, S. (2012). Manufacturing epidemics: the role of global producers in increased consumption of unhealthy commodities including processed foods, alcohol, and tobacco. PLOS Medicine, 9(6), e1001235.
• World Health Organization. (2016). Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. WHO Press.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

• Food Security

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Frontiers for Young Minds

• Download PDF

The Impacts of Junk Food on Health

Energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, otherwise known as junk foods, have never been more accessible and available. Young people are bombarded with unhealthy junk-food choices daily, and this can lead to life-long dietary habits that are difficult to undo. In this article, we explore the scientific evidence behind both the short-term and long-term impacts of junk food consumption on our health.

Introduction

The world is currently facing an obesity epidemic, which puts people at risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Junk food can contribute to obesity and yet it is becoming a part of our everyday lives because of our fast-paced lifestyles. Life can be jam-packed when you are juggling school, sport, and hanging with friends and family! Junk food companies make food convenient, tasty, and affordable, so it has largely replaced preparing and eating healthy homemade meals. Junk foods include foods like burgers, fried chicken, and pizza from fast-food restaurants, as well as packaged foods like chips, biscuits, and ice-cream, sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, fatty meats like bacon, sugary cereals, and frozen ready meals like lasagne. These are typically highly processed foods , meaning several steps were involved in making the food, with a focus on making them tasty and thus easy to overeat. Unfortunately, junk foods provide lots of calories and energy, but little of the vital nutrients our bodies need to grow and be healthy, like proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Australian teenagers aged 14–18 years get more than 40% of their daily energy from these types of foods, which is concerning [ 1 ]. Junk foods are also known as discretionary foods , which means they are “not needed to meet nutrient requirements and do not belong to the five food groups” [ 2 ]. According to the dietary guidelines of Australian and many other countries, these five food groups are grains and cereals, vegetables and legumes, fruits, dairy and dairy alternatives, and meat and meat alternatives.

Young people are often the targets of sneaky advertising tactics by junk food companies, which show our heroes and icons promoting junk foods. In Australia, cricket, one of our favorite sports, is sponsored by a big fast-food brand. Elite athletes like cricket players are not fuelling their bodies with fried chicken, burgers, and fries! A study showed that adolescents aged 12–17 years view over 14.4 million food advertisements in a single year on popular websites, with cakes, cookies, and ice cream being the most frequently advertised products [ 3 ]. Another study examining YouTube videos popular amongst children reported that 38% of all ads involved a food or beverage and 56% of those food ads were for junk foods [ 4 ].

What Happens to Our Bodies Shortly After We Eat Junk Foods?

Food is made up of three major nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. There are also vitamins and minerals in food that support good health, growth, and development. Getting the proper nutrition is very important during our teenage years. However, when we eat junk foods, we are consuming high amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which are quickly absorbed by the body.

Let us take the example of eating a hamburger. A burger typically contains carbohydrates from the bun, proteins and fats from the beef patty, and fats from the cheese and sauce. On average, a burger from a fast-food chain contains 36–40% of your daily energy needs and this does not account for any chips or drinks consumed with it ( Figure 1 ). This is a large amount of food for the body to digest—not good if you are about to hit the cricket pitch!

• Figure 1 - The nutritional composition of a popular burger from a famous fast-food restaurant, detailing the average quantity per serving and per 100 g.
• The carbohydrates of a burger are mainly from the bun, while the protein comes from the beef patty. Large amounts of fat come from the cheese and sauce. Based on the Australian dietary guidelines, just one burger can be 36% of the recommended daily energy intake for teenage boys aged 12–15 years and 40% of the recommendations for teenage girls 12–15 years.

A few hours to a few days after eating rich, heavy foods such as a burger, unpleasant symptoms like tiredness, poor sleep, and even hunger can result ( Figure 2 ). Rather than providing an energy boost, junk foods can lead to a lack of energy. For a short time, sugar (a type of carbohydrate) makes people feel energized, happy, and upbeat as it is used by the body for energy. However, refined sugar , which is the type of sugar commonly found in junk foods, leads to a quick drop in blood sugar levels because it is digested quickly by the body. This can lead tiredness and cravings [ 5 ].

• Figure 2 - The short- and long-term impacts of junk food consumption.
• In the short-term, junk foods can make you feel tired, bloated, and unable to concentrate. Long-term, junk foods can lead to tooth decay and poor bowel habits. Junk foods can also lead to obesity and associated diseases such as heart disease. When junk foods are regularly consumed over long periods of time, the damages and complications to health are increasingly costly.

Fiber is a good carbohydrate commonly found in vegetables, fruits, barley, legumes, nuts, and seeds—foods from the five food groups. Fiber not only keeps the digestive system healthy, but also slows the stomach’s emptying process, keeping us feeling full for longer. Junk foods tend to lack fiber, so when we eat them, we notice decreasing energy and increasing hunger sooner.

Foods such as walnuts, berries, tuna, and green veggies can boost concentration levels. This is particularly important for young minds who are doing lots of schoolwork. These foods are what most elite athletes are eating! On the other hand, eating junk foods can lead to poor concentration. Eating junk foods can lead to swelling in the part of the brain that has a major role in memory. A study performed in humans showed that eating an unhealthy breakfast high in fat and sugar for 4 days in a row caused disruptions to the learning and memory parts of the brain [ 6 ].

Long-Term Impacts of Junk Foods

If we eat mostly junk foods over many weeks, months, or years, there can be several long-term impacts on health ( Figure 2 ). For example, high saturated fat intake is strongly linked with high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, which can be a sign of heart disease. Respected research studies found that young people who eat only small amounts of saturated fat have lower total cholesterol levels [ 7 ].

Frequent consumption of junk foods can also increase the risk of diseases such as hypertension and stroke. Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure and a stroke is damage to the brain from reduced blood supply, which prevents the brain from receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive. Hypertension and stroke can occur because of the high amounts of cholesterol and salt in junk foods.

Furthermore, junk foods can trigger the “happy hormone,” dopamine , to be released in the brain, making us feel good when we eat these foods. This can lead us to wanting more junk food to get that same happy feeling again [ 8 ]. Other long-term effects of eating too much junk food include tooth decay and constipation. Soft drinks, for instance, can cause tooth decay due to high amounts of sugar and acid that can wear down the protective tooth enamel. Junk foods are typically low in fiber too, which has negative consequences for gut health in the long term. Fiber forms the bulk of our poop and without it, it can be hard to poop!

Tips for Being Healthy

One way to figure out whether a food is a junk food is to think about how processed it is. When we think of foods in their whole and original forms, like a fresh tomato, a grain of rice, or milk squeezed from a cow, we can then start to imagine how many steps are involved to transform that whole food into something that is ready-to-eat, tasty, convenient, and has a long shelf life.

For teenagers 13–14 years old, the recommended daily energy intake is 8,200–9,900 kJ/day or 1,960 kcal-2,370 kcal/day for boys and 7,400–8,200 kJ/day or 1,770–1,960 kcal for girls, according to the Australian dietary guidelines. Of course, the more physically active you are, the higher your energy needs. Remember that junk foods are okay to eat occasionally, but they should not make up more than 10% of your daily energy intake. In a day, this may be a simple treat such as a small muffin or a few squares of chocolate. On a weekly basis, this might mean no more than two fast-food meals per week. The remaining 90% of food eaten should be from the five food groups.

In conclusion, we know that junk foods are tasty, affordable, and convenient. This makes it hard to limit the amount of junk food we eat. However, if junk foods become a staple of our diets, there can be negative impacts on our health. We should aim for high-fiber foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits; meals that have moderate amounts of sugar and salt; and calcium-rich and iron-rich foods. Healthy foods help to build strong bodies and brains. Limiting junk food intake can happen on an individual level, based on our food choices, or through government policies and health-promotion strategies. We need governments to stop junk food companies from advertising to young people, and we need their help to replace junk food restaurants with more healthy options. Researchers can focus on education and health promotion around healthy food options and can work with young people to develop solutions. If we all work together, we can help young people across the world to make food choices that will improve their short and long-term health.

Obesity : ↑ A disorder where too much body fat increases the risk of health problems.

Processed Food : ↑ A raw agricultural food that has undergone processes to be washed, ground, cleaned and/or cooked further.

Discretionary Food : ↑ Foods and drinks not necessary to provide the nutrients the body needs but that may add variety to a person’s diet (according to the Australian dietary guidelines).

Refined Sugar : ↑ Sugar that has been processed from raw sources such as sugar cane, sugar beets or corn.

Saturated Fat : ↑ A type of fat commonly eaten from animal sources such as beef, chicken and pork, which typically promotes the production of “bad” cholesterol in the body.

Dopamine : ↑ A hormone that is released when the brain is expecting a reward and is associated with activities that generate pleasure, such as eating or shopping.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

[1] ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2013. 4324.0.55.002 - Microdata: Australian Health Survey: Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2011-12 . Australian Bureau of Statistics. Available online at: http://bit.ly/2jkRRZO (accessed December 13, 2019).

[2] ↑ National Health and Medical Research Council. 2013. Australian Dietary Guidelines Summary . Canberra, ACT: National Health and Medical Research Council.

[3] ↑ Potvin Kent, M., and Pauzé, E. 2018. The frequency and healthfulness of food and beverages advertised on adolescents’ preferred web sites in Canada. J. Adolesc. Health. 63:102–7. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.01.007

[4] ↑ Tan, L., Ng, S. H., Omar, A., and Karupaiah, T. 2018. What’s on YouTube? A case study on food and beverage advertising in videos targeted at children on social media. Child Obes. 14:280–90. doi: 10.1089/chi.2018.0037

[5] ↑ Gómez-Pinilla, F. 2008. Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 9, 568–78. doi: 10.1038/nrn2421

[6] ↑ Attuquayefio, T., Stevenson, R. J., Oaten, M. J., and Francis, H. M. 2017. A four-day western-style dietary intervention causes reductions in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory and interoceptive sensitivity. PLoS ONE . 12:e0172645. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172645

[7] ↑ Te Morenga, L., and Montez, J. 2017. Health effects of saturated and trans-fatty acid intake in children and adolescents: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 12:e0186672. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186672

[8] ↑ Reichelt, A. C. 2016. Adolescent maturational transitions in the prefrontal cortex and dopamine signaling as a risk factor for the development of obesity and high fat/high sugar diet induced cognitive deficits. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 10. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00189

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Health Promot Perspect
• v.5(4); 2015

Fast Food Pattern and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Review of Current Studies

Zahra bahadoran.

1 Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Parvin Mirmiran

Fereidoun azizi.

2 Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Background: There are growing concern globally regarding the alarming trend of fast food consumption and its related cardiometabolic outcomes including overweight and obesity. This study aimed to review the current evidences available in relation to adverse effects of fast food pattern on cardiometa­bolic risk factors.

Methods: Relevant articles including epidemiological and clinical studies with appropriate design and good quality were obtained through searches of the Medline, PubMed, Scopus databases and Google scholar with related key words including "fast foods", "processed foods", "obesity", "overweight", "insulin resistance", "diabetes", "cardiovascular disease", "metabolic syndrome", "dyslipidemia" and "hypertension".

Results: Fast food consumption and out-of-home eating behavior is a main risk factor for lower diet quality, higher calorie and fat intake and lower micronutrients density of diet. Frequent consumption of fast foods was accompanied with overweight and abdominal fat gain, impaired insulin and glucose homeostasis, lipid and lipoprotein disorders, induction of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Higher fast food consumption also increases the risk of developmental diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Conclusion: This review provides further evidence warning us against the irreparable effects of fast food consumption on public health especially the increasing global burden of obesity and cardiovascu­lar diseases.

Introduction

A growing trend of fast food consumption along with alarming trend of cardiometabolic disorders is considered as a globally health problem. Although there is no agreement on the definition of fast food, it is mainly defined as "easily prepared processed food served in snack bars and restaurants as a quick meal or to be taken away" in dictionaries and encyclopedias; industrial foods such as canned foods or snacks may also considered as fast foods. 1 In the recent years, an increasing globally popularity have been developed regarding the fast foods and take-away foods marketing. Out-of-home meals and fast foods are rich in highly processed meat and refined carbohydrate, sodium, total fat, saturated and trans fatty acids, cholesterol, and poor in essential nutrients and dietary fibers; 2 the fast food pattern also has undesirable effects on overall diet quality especially in children and adolescents. 2 - 4 Fast food consumption and out-of-home eating behavior is a main risk factor for higher calorie and fat intake and lower micronutrients density of diet. 3 , 5 Frequent consumption of fast foods is one of the main reasons for rising trends of overweight and obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic abnormalities. 3 , 6 - 8 Higher availability of fast food services is associated with higher mortality and hospital admission rates for acute coronary heart disease as well as a higher risk of overweight and obesity. 9 , 10

Considering to growing interest to Western dietary patterns and trend of fast food consumption along with global burden of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and hypertension, and the lack of a comprehensive review study on cardiometabolic outcomes of these dietary patterns, this study aimed to review the current evidence in relation to adverse effects of fast food patterns on non-communicable diseases with focusing on cardiometabolic risk factors.

Materials and Methods

This is a narrative review article. The original research articles were reviewed published in English from 1990 to 2014. To search the articles, a number of databases and search engines, including PubMed, Medline, Scopus and Google Scholar were used. The references of the articles were also reviewed to identify papers that are more relevant. Searches were conducted with the search terms “fast foods”, “processed foods”, “obesity”, “overweight”, “insulin resistance”, “diabetes”, “cardiovascular disease”, “metabolic syndrome”, “dyslipidemia” and “hypertension”. Relevant articles including both epidemiological including cohort, case-control, cross-sectional and clinical studies were assessed for initial eligibility. Studies with English language evaluated the association between fast food consumption with cardiometabolic risk factors, with appropriate design and good quality (e.g. accurate definition of exposure and outcome, study population, clearly defined statistical methods) were included.

Ethical consideration

Ethical issues which have been considered for this study was included prevention of selective reporting bias of the papers, and honesty in reporting of the results of the studies. Moreover, related references have been carefully cited throughout the manuscript.

Fast food consumption and the risk of overweight and obesity

The alarming trend in the acceleration of overweight and obesity is mainly attributed to changes in lifestyle determinants and environmental factors. A rapid on-going nutrition transition with progressive shift to a westernized diet, in particular higher consumption of industrial and processed foods, and sweetened beverages are major factors contributing to the global epidemic of obesity. 11 Among various dietary factors, out-of-home eating patterns and regular consumption of fast food have been proposed as determinant factors in the prevalence of obesity and severe weight gain over time; 12 , 13 an association which has been confirmed in both prospective and cross-sectional studies. In Table 1 , the associations of fast food consumption with anthropometric measures and risk of obesity in cohort and cross-sectional studies were reviewed.

Frequent consumption of fast food, ≥2 times/week, compared to <1 time/week, has been accompanied with ≥4.5 kg weight gain during a fifteen-year follow-up of US adolescents and young adults. 6

Participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study who were in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of fast food consumption, had higher weight (adjusted mean=5.6 kg, 95% CI= 2.1-9.2), and waist circumference (adjusted mean=5.3 cm, 95% CI=2.8-7.9) after a 13-yrfollow-up; in this study, fast food intake was associated with 13-yrchanges in body weight (β=0.15, 95% CI= 0.06-0.24) and waist circumference (β=0.12, CI= 0.04-0.20). 7 A3-yrfollow-up of adults also showed that increased consumption of fast foods was associated with an increase in body mass index(BMI) change (β=0.05, 95% CI=0.01-0.09); each one unit increase in fast food consumption (1 time/wk) was associated with a 0.13 increase in BMI at baseline (β= 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.22) and a 0.24 increase in BMI after 3years (β=0.24, 95% CI= 0.13-0.34). 14

Participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study who were in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of fast food consumption, had higher weight (adjusted mean=5.6 kg, 95% CI= 2.1-9.2), and waist circumference (adjusted mean=5.3 cm, 95% CI=2.8-7.9) after a 13-yrfollow-up; in this study, fast food intake was associated with 13-yrchanges in body weight (β=0.15, 95% CI= 0.06-0.24) and waist circumference (β=0.12, CI= 0.04-0.20). 7 A3-yrfollow-up of adults also showed that increased consumption of fast foods was associated with an increase in body mass index (BMI) change (β=0.05, 95% CI=0.01-0.09); each one unit increase in fast food consumption (1 time/wk) was associated with a 0.13 increase in BMI at baseline (β= 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.22) and a 0.24 increase in BMI after 3 years (β=0.24, 95% CI= 0.13-0.34) . 14

In a Mediterranean cohort study, a higher risk of weight gain (≥3 kg during a 5 past year) (OR=1.2, 95% CI=1-1.4) was observed in adults who consumed more hamburger, pizza, and sausages; a significantly greater weight gain during a 2-year follow-up was also observed in the highest compared to the lowest quintile of fast food consumption (0.77 kg vs. 0.47 kg). 15 A three-year follow-up of women also indicated that increased consumption of one fast food meal per week led to a 0.72 kg more weight gain. 21

Cross-sectional studies 2 , 16 , 20 - 22 also reported a positive association between consumption of fast food and the anthropometric measures in different populations and various age-groups; in school children, consumption of fast food was associated with a higher BMI Z-score (β=0.08, 95% CI=0.03-0.14), higher body fat (β=2.06, 95% CI=1.33-2.79) and an increased risk of obesity (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.02-1.49). In a cross-sectional survey, frequency of fast food consumption was positively associated with body mass index (β=0.31, P =0.02), in adults. 16 The association of fast foods and BMI was β=0.39 and 0.85 in high- and low-income in young and middle-aged women, respectively. 22 In Singaporean adults, the risk of abdominal obesity was 1.24 (95% CI=1.03- 1.51) and 1.52 (95 % CI= 1.32- 1.77) in regular consumers and occasional consumers of fast food meals. 17 In the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, the adjusted-odds of obesity in adults consuming ≥3 times/week compared to <1 time/week fast food meals was 1.81 (95% CI=1.35-2.44). 18 A significant association between fast food intake and BMI (β=0.104, P <0.01) as well as waist circumference (β=0.083, P <0.01) was observed among Iranian young adults. 19 In Mediterranean adults, the association of fast food consumption with BMI was estimated to be β=1.76 (95% CI=0. 22, 3.3), and the risk of obesity increased by 129% in >1 time/week fast food consumers, compared to non-consumers. 2 More interestingly, a health community survey in Michigan found a significant association between local concentrations of fast food outlets with BMI (β=3.21, P <0.001) and poor diet quality (β=2.67, P <0.008). 20

Findings of a study on 23182 adolescents in Finland showed an strong association between fast-food outlet near school with breakfast skipping and undesirable eating habits; in this study, proximity of a fast-food outlet was associated with increased risk of overweight (OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.03-1.52). 23 One study on the participants of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that fast food and full-service restaurant consumption, respectively, was associated with more energy, total fat and sodium intake as well as a decrease in daily intake of vitamin A, D, and K. 24 Fast-food consumption was also significantly associated with higher intake of total energy (β=72.5, P =0.005), empty calories (β=0.40, P =0.006) and BMI (β=0.73, P =0.011), and lower healthy eating index score (β= -1·23, P =0·012), vegetables (β=-0·14, P =0·004), whole grains (β=-0.39, P =0·005), fiber (β= -0.83, P =0·002), magnesium (β=-6·99, P =0·019) and potassium intakes (β=-57.5, P =0·016). 25

Fast food consumption and dyslipidemia

Another cardiometabolic risk factor regarding fast food pattern highlighted in the literature is impaired metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins. In Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA), participants who consumed ≥2.5 compared to <0.5 meal/week of fast food meals, had higher levels of serum triglycerides (117±3.6 mg/dl vs. 95±5.2 mg/dl), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (52.0±0.7 mg/dl vs. 57.5±1.1 mg/dl), over 13 years of follow-up; moreover, longitudinal associations (β coefficient ± SE) of weekly fast food consumption with 13-year changes of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-C were β=0.24±0.40, β=0.16±0.14, and β=0.08±0.06), respectively. 7 A greater increase in 3-year changes of TG levels was found in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) participants, who consumed more fast food meals at baseline (10.6% vs. 4.4% increase, in the fourth compared to first quartile of fast food intake); serum triglycerides to HDL-C ratio, an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease, also increased in adults with higher compared to lower fast food intakes (3.7% vs. -5.5%, in the fourth compared to the first quartile). 8

A cross-sectional analyses in TLGS study also indicated that fast food consumption (g/week) was significantly associated with serum TG (β=0.07, P <0.05), HDL-C (β= -0.05, P <0.05) and atherogenic index of plasma (β=0.06, P <0.05) only in middle-age adults; a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia was also observed in the highest compared to the lowest tertile of fast foods (42.3 vs. 34.2%). 19 Postprandial lipemia and lipid peroxidation increased after consumption of a fast food meal, compared to a healthy meal; triglyceride levels, malondialdehyde, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly higher and HDL-C levels were significantly lower after fast food meal. 26

Fast food consumption and the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease

The adverse effects of fast foods consumption on the development of metabolic abnormalities has been reported in several investigations. The associations of fast food consumption with the risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in cohort and cross-sectional studies were summarized in Table2 . A 15-yrfollow-up of American women showed that higher fast food intake ≥ 2 times resulted in greater insulin resistance. 6 In the CARDIA Study, participants in the 3 rd and 4 th , compared to the first quartile category, of fast food intakes at baseline, had greater odds of metabolic syndrome after 13-yrof follow-up (OR= 1.9, 95% CI= 1.11-3.26 and OR= 2.14, 95% CI= 1.24-3.70, in 3 rd and 4 th quartiles, respectively); homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at final examination was also positively associated with fast food consumption at baseline (3.9±0.14 vs. 0.3±0.18 in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of fast foods).A one-follow-up of adults showed that higher consumption of processed meat products was independently associated with the incidence of metabolic syndrome (OR= 2.5, 95% CI= 1.0-6.2). 30

The prospective approach of TLGS also showed that the risk of metabolic syndrome in the highest, compared with the lowest, quartile of fast foods increased by 85% (OR=1.85, 95% CI=1.17–2.95); in this study, the adverse effects of fast food consumption were more pronounced in younger adults (<30 yr), and participants who had greater waist to hip ratio, consumed less phytochemical-rich foods or had low-fiber diet ( P <0.05). 8 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a hepatic feature of metabolic syndrome, could be a result of fast food consumption. In an intervention study, 4-wkconsumption of fast food meals (≥2meals/day) in healthy subjects increased serum levels of alanin aminotransferase (22.1±11 U/l to 69.3±76 U/l), insulin resistance index (0.89±0.42 to 1.6±0.83) and hepatic triglyceride content (1.1±1.9% to 2.8±4.8%) as well as body fat percent (20.1±9.8% to 23.8±8.6%). 31

A prospective cohort of Singaporean women showed that consumption of fast food ≥2 times/wk increased the occurrence of type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio= 1.27, 95% CI= 1.03-1.54) and coronary heart disease mortality (hazard ratio = 1.56, 95% CI= 1.18-2.06). 27

Increased consumption of burger, fried chicken meals, sausage and other processed meat products as well as French fries was associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus; a prospective study of 84,555 women in the Nurses' Health Study indicated that higher intake of French fries increased the 20-years risk of diabetes by 21% (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.09-1.33). 28 In Black Women's Health Study, the 10-year incidence rate of type 2 diabetes for higher intake of hamburgers and fried chicken (≥ 2 meals/week compared to none) was 1.40 (95% CI= 1.14, 1.73) and 1.68 (95% CI= 1.36, 2.08), respectively. 29 Meta-analysis of seven prospective cohorts found that higher consumption of processed meat increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 19% (95% CI=1.11-1.27). 32

More interestingly, rather than the consumption of fast foods, the rate of accessibility to fast food services has been reported as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease; risk-adjusted outcomes in regions with high compared to low accessibility to fast food services were greater for mortality (OR= 2.52, 95% CI=1.54-4.13) and acute coronary hospitalizations (OR= 2.62, 95% CI=1.42-3.59). 9

This review provides further evidence warning us against the irreparable effects of fast food consumption on public health especially the increasing global burden of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Frequent consumption of fast foods as well as out-of-home meals is a serious dietary risk factor for development of increasing trend of obesity and other related abnormalities. Higher consumption of fast foods has undesirable effects on dietary intake and overall diet quality, which leads to increased incidence of metabolic disorders including obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular disorders.

Briefly, compared to non-consumers or <1 time/week, regular consumption of fast foods and out-of-home meals ≥1-3 times/week was associated with an 20-129%elevated risk of general and abdominal obesity. 9 , 15 , 17 , 18 Increased risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome in subjects with higher consumption of fast foods (mean ≥ 2 times/week) was reported 27-68% and 85-150%, respectively. 7 , 8 , 14 , 27 - 29 Higher consumption of fast foods and higher exposure to multiple sources of accessible, cheap, energy-dense fast foods were also accompanied with a 56-162% increased risk of coronary heart disease mortality. 9 , 27

Several possible mechanisms have been suggested to explain undesirable effects of fast foods on health status. A main factor describing the obesity-induced properties of fast foods is a high-energy dense modality. Most fast foods have an extremely high energy density, approximately 158 to 163 kcal per 100 gram of food; it also has been estimated that a fast food meal typically has an energy density twice the recommended a healthy diet and contains approximately 236 kcal/100 g. 33

High energy density of foods may have adverse effects. 34 In children, consumption of fast foods compared to non-consumers, led to greater intake of energy (>187 kcal/day), energy density (0.3 kcal/g), total fat (9g/d), carbohydrate (24 g/d), and added sugar (26g/d). 35 In adults, participants in the highest compared to the lowest quartile of fast food consumption also had more energy intake (>460 kcal/d), total fat (>2.5% of total energy), and cholesterol (>30 mg/d). 8 The difference of calorie intake in fast food days, compared with non-fast food days was estimated to be within 400 kcal in overweight adolescents. 36

High-fat content and inappropriate composition of fatty acids of fast foods is a main dietary risk for chronic disease. Mean total fat percent of beef hamburgers, chips, chicken hamburgers and hot dogs has been reported within 35.83±10.68%, 35.84±8.66%, 23.02±5.07%, and 34.02±13.49%, respectively; 28-52% of total fat was estimated as saturated fat. 37

Large portion size, high amount of refined carbohydrates and added sugar, and high glycemic load are other characteristics that could explain the threatening properties of fast food meals. 38 In some of the most popular fast foods, trans fats were up to 24g/serving. 4 Higher content of industrially produced trans fatty acids in fast foods is an important component leading to weight gain, abdominal fat accumulation, development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular events. 39 Furthermore, sodium content of fast foods is often higher than recommended amounts; in some common fast food meals, salt content was reported to range from 4.4 to 9.1 gr per meal; 40 a high-salt diet besides increasing blood pressure also intensifies insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome features. 41

Some of the mechanisms that could explain the metabolic outcomes of fast foods have been investigated in clinical and experimental studies. Postprandial adverse metabolic disorders including lipemia, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory processes after eating a fast food meal observed in a human study are other possible explanations for cardiometabolic outcomes of fast foods. 26 Compared to a healthy fast food meal (fiber rich sourdough rye bread, salad with vinegar, orange juice), a hamburger meal (hamburger, bacon, cola drink) was associated with higher postprandial serum levels of glucose and insulin. 42 , 43

In animal models, fast food diet induced a phenotype of non-alcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis; 43 in this study, fast food diet was accompanied with higher liver weight, serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase, intra-acinar inflammation and development of steatosis. Higher expression of genes related to fibrosis, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and lipoapoptosis also was induced by fast food diets; activated pathways of hepatocellular oxidative stress, profibrotic and pro-inflammatory pathways were observed. 44 After a fast food meal, a severe decrease in plasma antioxidant vitamins including vitamin A, E and C, and zinc, as well as iron accumulation was observed in rats; decreased levels of superoxide dismutase, reduced gluthathione, and higher levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility, C reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were also observed. 44

This study was a narrative review and had some limitations, which should be considered; subjective nature of the search method, potential selection bias of the articles, probable missing of unpublished data and lack of using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to design and report of the study were the mains limitations. Further researches especially meta-analysis of current studies may provide a comprehensive and accurate picture for undesirable outcomes of fast food patterns. Moreover, further assessment of nutritional behaviors and social determinants of fast foods intakes among different populations could help to development of efficient health strategies.

Considering to growing interest to out-of-home meals and high prevalence of fast food consumption, food policies with an emphasis on providing healthy foods, and making nutritional information at fast-food restaurants may help consumers to order more healthful or lower-calorie foods.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Ms. N.Shiva for critical editing of English grammar and syntax.

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict of interest.

Citation: Bahadoran Z, Mirmiran P, Azizi F. Fast Food Pattern and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Review of Current Studies. Health Promot Perspect 2015; 5(4): 231-240. doi: 10.15171/hpp.2015.028

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Fast Food — Fast Food And Its Impact On Our Body

Fast Food and Its Impact on Our Body

• Categories: Fast Food Junk Food Obesity

About this sample

Words: 1034 |

Published: Jan 28, 2021

Words: 1034 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

Works Cited

• Malik, V. S., Pan, A., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2013). Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 98(4), 1084-1102. doi:10.3945/ajcn.113.058362
• Ludwig, D. S., Peterson, K. E., & Gortmaker, S. L. (2001). Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: A prospective, observational analysis. The Lancet, 357(9255), 505-508. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04041-1
• O'Connor, A. (2011, July 19). Fast food linked to child asthma and eczema, study finds. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/health/20fastfood.html
• Nguyen, S. P., Ding, D., & Mihrshahi, S. (2018). Fruit and vegetable consumption and psychological distress: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses based on a large Australian sample. BMJ Open, 8(3), e018848. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018848
• Black, J. L., Macinko, J., Dixon, L. B., & Fryer Jr, G. E. (2017). Neighborhoods and obesity in New York City. Health & Place, 46, 156-164. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.05.007
• World Health Organization. (2013). Global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013-2020. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Childhood obesity causes & consequences. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html
• Rundle, A. G., Neckerman, K. M., Freeman, L., Lovasi, G. S., Purciel, M., Quinn, J.,... Weiss, C. (2009). Neighborhood food environment and walkability predict obesity in New York City. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(3), 442-447. doi:10.1289/ehp.11590
• McWilliams, J. M., Hsu, J., & Newhouse, J. P. (2007). New risk-adjustment system was associated with reduced favorable selection in Medicare Advantage. Health Affairs, 26(6), 1693-1702. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.26.6.1693
• Drewnowski, A., & Specter, S. E. (2004). Poverty and obesity: The role of energy density and energy costs. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 79(1), 6-16. doi:10.1093/ajcn/79.1.6

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1240 words

6 pages / 2633 words

1 pages / 609 words

1 pages / 371 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Fast Food

McDonald's and Taco Bell are two of the most popular fast food chains in the United States. Both of these chains offer a variety of menu items, including burgers, fries, and other fast food options. However, there are also [...]

When it comes to the topic of junk food, there is a lot of debate and controversy. Some people argue that junk food should be avoided at all costs, while others believe that it is fine to indulge in moderation. In this [...]

Fast food has become a ubiquitous part of modern society. With its convenience and affordability, it has found its way into the daily routines of millions of people around the world. However, the rise of fast food has also [...]

Working at McDonald's has long been a topic of debate among scholars and sociologists. Many argue that working at the fast-food chain provides valuable job experience and essential skills for young workers entering the [...]

Are fast food companies the only reason for America being the fattest nation in the world? This question is challenged in the documentary ‘Supersize Me’ (2004). Director Morgan Spurlock attempts a social experiment to prove that [...]

Fast food has become a staple in many people's diets due to its convenience and affordability. However, behind the quick and easy meals lies a dark truth - the fast food industry poses serious health risks and contributes to [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example

Negative effects of fast food: essay introduction, negative effects of fast food: essay body, negative effects of fast food: essay conclusion, works cited.

Consumption of fast food is believed to have negative impact on physical and psychological health. Fast food is rich in glycemic load and energy densities. When consumed in excessive portions it contributes to the escalation of obesity, digestive problems, and depression. Obesity and depression have become an epidemic in countries like the US and UK due to increased consumption of fast food.

Fast food is defined as food purchased from outlets that are self-service or take-out restaurants. A few well-known leaders in the fast food industry are MacDonald, KFC, Pepsi, etc. In the US, fast food outlets increased from 30,000 in 1970 to more than 233000 locations in 2004 (Rosenheck 535). I believe fast food negatively affects physical and emotional health of consumers.

A typical portion of fast food meal is usually very large and exceeds the average calories intake of home made food for an adult. Fast food contains more fats than can be burnt during our daily activities. Hence, regular consumption of fast food increases the chances of gaining excessive weight.

Further, fast food restaurants sell pre-specified portions which are higher than the average calorie intake of an adult. For instance, sandwiches in fast food outlets have two specific sizes – 12 and 6 inches. Research has shown that women consume 31% and men 56% more energy when they eat a 6-inch or 12-inch sandwich respectively (Ledikwe, Ello-Martin and Rolls 906).

Research on fast food snacks served to men and women has shown that women consumed 18% and men 37% more calorie than their usual energy intake (Ledikwe, Ello-Martin and Rolls 907). Fast food has high energy density as the fat content in it is very high. One can definitely state that portion size has a positive influence on the energy density of fast food, thus, increasing the calorie intake of consumers.

Fast food has high fat content. Fat, when consumed from natural sources, plays a vital role in digestion, absorption, and transportation of vitamins and fat-soluble essentials. However, fats contained in fast food are mostly saturated fats and trans fats. An adult male should not consume more than 30g and woman 20g of saturated fats, and less than 5g of trans fat in order to remain healthy (Rosenheck 536).

However, every bite of a burger consumed at a restaurant contains almost 10g of saturated fats. This is higher than what an adult male should consume. The high content of fat, salt, and sugar in fast food increases harmful bacteria content that causes indigestion. Fast foods like french fries, fried chicken, and bread use hydrogenated oil that is not good for digestion.

Depression has become an epidemic problem. Researchers believe that food which is rich in certain substances like vitamin B, omega 3 fatty acids, and olive oil, help reduce depression (Robson par. 1), consequently, researches have connected dietary habit and nutrition to occurrence of depression. Trans fats and saturated fats in fast food increase the risk of depression among consumers.

To sum up it all, excessive intake of fast food may increase the risk of deterioration of physical and mental well-being. Health issues related to obesity or indigestion are common problems faced by consumers of fast food. Due to the lack of certain ingredients that prevent depression, fast food adversely affects mental health. Thus, over-consumption of fast food leads to physical and emotional problems.

Ledikwe, Jenny H., Julia A. Ello-Martin and Barbara J. Rolls. “Portion Sizes and the Obesity Epidemic.” The Journal of Nutrition 135.4 (2005): 905-909. Print.

Robson, David. “ Is fast food making us depressed ?” 14 August 2014.

Rosenheck, R. “Fast food consumption and increased caloric intake: a systematic review of a trajectory towards weight gain and obesity risk.” Obesity Reviews 9.6 (2008): 535-547. Print.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2020, January 9). The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example. https://studycorgi.com/the-negative-effects-of-fast-food/

"The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example." StudyCorgi , 9 Jan. 2020, studycorgi.com/the-negative-effects-of-fast-food/.

StudyCorgi . (2020) 'The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example'. 9 January.

1. StudyCorgi . "The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example." January 9, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-negative-effects-of-fast-food/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example." January 9, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-negative-effects-of-fast-food/.

StudyCorgi . 2020. "The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example." January 9, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/the-negative-effects-of-fast-food/.

This paper, “The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 8, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

Essay on Fast Food Is Bad For Health

Students are often asked to write an essay on Fast Food Is Bad For Health in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Fast Food Is Bad For Health

Unhealthy ingredients.

Fast food often has too much salt, sugar, and fat. These ingredients can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Eating too much fast food can also make you gain weight quickly.

Poor Nutrition

Fast food doesn’t have enough good stuff like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Your body needs these to stay healthy. Without them, you might feel tired and get sick more often.

Bad Eating Habits

Eating fast food a lot can make you used to eating only that. This means you might not want to eat healthier foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Fast food can harm your health. It’s better to eat homemade meals with fresh ingredients to keep your body strong and healthy.

250 Words Essay on Fast Food Is Bad For Health

Fast food and health.

Fast food is a popular choice for many people because it is quick and tastes good. But eating too much of it is not good for our health. This type of food often has a lot of fat, sugar, and salt, which can lead to different health problems.

Too Much Fat

Many fast food items are fried in a lot of oil, which makes them high in fat. Eating a lot of fat can make you gain weight and lead to heart diseases. It can also make it hard for your body to use insulin, which is important for controlling sugar levels in your blood.

High in Sugar and Salt

Fast food also has a lot of sugar and salt. Too much sugar can cause tooth decay and add to weight gain. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure, which is bad for your heart.

Missing Good Nutrients

Fast food does not have enough good nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These nutrients are needed for your body to stay healthy and work properly. Without them, you can feel tired and find it hard to concentrate in school.

In short, fast food can be harmful to your health if you eat it too often. It is better to eat food that has less fat, sugar, and salt, and more of the good nutrients that your body needs. Try to pick healthier options, like fruits and vegetables, to keep your body strong and healthy.

500 Words Essay on Fast Food Is Bad For Health

What is fast food.

Fast food is the kind of food you get from a restaurant that serves it to you quickly. You don’t have to wait long to eat it. Places like McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King are famous for making this kind of food. It usually includes burgers, fries, pizzas, and sodas. People like fast food because it’s tasty, it doesn’t cost too much, and it’s very quick to get when you’re hungry.

Why Fast Food Can Be Harmful to Health

Eating fast food can be bad for your health for many reasons. First, it often has a lot of calories. Calories are like tiny bits of energy you get from food. If you eat too many, and don’t move around enough to use them up, they can make you gain weight. Many fast food meals have more calories than you need in a whole day.

Second, fast food is full of salt, sugar, and fats. Our bodies need a little bit of these things, but not too much. Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which is bad for your heart. Too much sugar can make you gain weight and can hurt your teeth. Eating lots of fats, especially the kinds found in fast food, can also be bad for your heart.

Nutrition and Fast Food

Nutrition is about all the different good things in food that help your body grow and stay healthy. Fast food doesn’t have a lot of these good things. Even if it makes you feel full, it doesn’t have enough of the vitamins, minerals, and fibers that come from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These are really important for kids because they help you grow up strong and healthy.

How Fast Food Affects Kids

Kids who eat fast food a lot might not feel good. They can become overweight, which means they have more weight on their bodies than is healthy. This can make it hard to run, play, and do all the fun things kids like to do. Being overweight can also make kids feel sad or get bullied at school.

Also, kids who eat fast food all the time might not do as well in school. Your brain needs good food to work right, just like your muscles need it to run fast. Without the right food, it can be harder to concentrate and learn new things.

What Can You Do?

It’s okay to eat fast food sometimes, but not all the time. Try to eat it only once in a while, like on a special day. The rest of the time, eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and foods that don’t have too much fat, sugar, or salt. Drink water instead of soda, and try to move around a lot to use up your energy.

If you’re eating with your family, you can ask to go to places that have healthier options. Some fast food places have salads, fruit, and milk. Choosing these instead of burgers and fries can help you stay healthy.

Remember, what you eat is very important for your body and your mind. Eating healthy food helps you grow, think, and play. So, next time you’re hungry, think about what food is the best choice for you!

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Fast Food Effects On The Environment
• Essay on Fast Food Culture
• Essay on Fast Food And Obesity

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

We use COOKIES to make your user experience better.

By staying on our website, you fully accept it. Learn more » It's OK

• how it works
• Our guarantees
• Our benefits

Fast Food Argumentative Essay

The debate on eating fast foods has gained momentum in the recent years with many people advocating against them. There are those who argue that people should not be told to avoid fast foods because they have the right to eat what they want and are responsible for their lives. On the other hand, those against eating fast foods assert that some of the practices and contents related to fast foods are health hazards and people do not know such facts. As such, they educate the public on such hazards. Although people have the right to eat what they want, they should be fair to their bodies and avoid eating harmful substances. Although fast food restaurants make delicious food, they should be avoided because they are harmful to human health.

Harmful effects of fast food

The harmful effects of fast foods to the human health come from the way the food is prepared. Research has shown that the livestock that is slaughtered to supply beef to the fast foods is concentrated into feedlots before being taken through the meat processing assembly lines (Schlosser 23). Most employees in these processing lines are poorly trained and may contaminate the meat, leading to food poisoning. Moreover, the majority of fast foods cook their meals in beef tallow, which has a high concentration of saturated fats. These fats have been found to be a leading cause of heart diseases. The tight schedules at fast food restaurants limit their chances of training their employees on proper food handling practices and procedures. In addition, the high turnover rate in these restaurants discourages training because it seems like wasting financial resources on employees who are likely to leave for another establishment. The overall effect of this is that most of those who handle food are unqualified, which increases the chances of food contamination.

Harmful wrappers containing PAPs

Many fast food restaurants wrap their food with wrappers containing polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs), which prevent grease in the food from leaking. These compounds sometimes migrate into the wrapped food and get ingested. Although there are no known effects on human health, the compounds have been found harmful when ingested by rodents. Since many experiments relating to humans are tested using rats, any such adverse effect is likely to cause harm to humans. Therefore, the wrappers are feared to be agents of harmful compounds that may harm the human health. Even when the food has no harmful substances, the fact that much fast food lack permanent employees with experience and expertise can lead to food contamination. Food preparation requires care because even mixing vegetable equipment with meat equipment can be fatal to the customers. Given the busy schedules in the fast foods and the ever-changing workforce, maintaining high standards of hazard prevention is difficult.

Why is meat used in fast food considered being dangerous?

The second hazard of eating fast foods comes from the content of their food. For instance, the meat used in these fast foods comes from animals that have gone through unhealthy conditions. Prior to slaughtering, the animals are concentrated in small spaces and cannot rest, but stand. As a result of the overcrowding, the animals are likely to get sick. To avoid incidences of sickness, the animals are injected with high levels of antibiotics that end up in the meat sold in fast foods (Watson 56). Since the anti-bacterial drugs are given to the animals just before they are slaughtered, they are never metabolized properly. To make matters worse, the fast foods have very busy schedules and customer demands. As a result, they cook food at a fast rate to keep pace with the increasing customers. This haste prevents food from being cooked completely, which may lead to the antibiotics not being neutralized. Consequently, those who consume such food get food poisoning and may die if treatment is not sought swiftly. Apart from contamination originating from the antibiotics, animals for fast foods are required tender. To ensure this requirement is met, many of the animals and birds are slaughtered while young. Since the people who rear them sell on a weight basis, they must balance between weight and young age. Therefore, these animals are fed with food injected with growth hormones. During the time of slaughter, these hormones circulate within the animal bodies and transfer into humans upon consumption. These hormones are harmful to people's health and interfere with the natural functioning of the body.

The food sold in fast foods has been found to contain high levels of calories and low fiber content

These conditions are the causes of obesity, which has become a challenge to both the government and healthcare providers. A research conducted by Pediatrics established that, on any given day, 30.3% of children between the age of four to nineteen eat from fast foods (Gulum and Serpil 45). Those who ate fast foods were found to eat less fiber, non-starchy vegetables and fruits.

These results concluded that children who ate fast foods were likely to get obese compared to those who avoided fast foods. Obesity has been found to lead to other illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These diseases cost a lot of money and strain economies through treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is essential that the factors that lead to them should be avoided, which means avoiding fast foods.

Fast foods that serve both Muslims and Jews have to conform to the requirements of their religious principles

During the slaughtering process, animals may be subjected to cruelty since slaughtering methods differ significantly. According to the two religions, the animals must be cut using a sharp object on the neck to drain out the blood. It is prohibited to eat meat with blood inside. Since fast foods must satisfy their customers, they may result to using meat that has been killed using this method. Animals have rights, just like human beings. They deserve reduced pain when being slaughtered, which is a dignified way of treating them. Therefore, such fast foods promote an inhumane way of killing animals, which results in inhumane treatment. On the other hand, the procedures that are conventionally allowed for killing animals to be used as food include electrocution or hitting it with a bolt to the head. These methods, which are used, for slaughtering animals used in fast foods is considered dangerous to human health. Blood is considered a medium in which many disease-causing organisms thrive (Yeager 45). Therefore, it is crucial to drain it from the meat meant for consumption. However, in the conventional fast foods, animals are killed before opening them up, which means that most of the blood is left intact. If there were parasites inside the animal that resided in the blood, they are likely to be transferred to the food sold by the fast foods. Although the meat slaughtered using these means is sold by other hotels and butchers, it is safer than that sold by the fast foods because they get a chance to cook fully. For instance, people who buy meat for their consumption at home ensure that it is fully cooked before consumption. Therefore, the risk of getting sick due to parasites in the meat is reduced. In contrast, fast foods rarely allow meat, and other types of food to cook fully because of time constraints and the costs associated with prolonged cooking.

In conclusion, eating at fast foods is undesirable as it is harmful to human health and treats animals unfairly. The unhealthy conditions of food in fast foods arise from poor preparation, inadequate skills in processing the food and high-calorie content. Therefore, people should avoid eating at fast foods for the sake of their health and promoting dignified treatment of animals.

References:

• Amid mounting evidence that plastic food wrap harbours a host of toxins, even doctors are urging people to stop using it
• Gulum, Servet, and Serpil, Sumnu. Advances in Deep-Fat Frying of Foods. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2010. Print.
• Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001. Print.
• Watson, Stephanie. Fast Food. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2008. Print.
• Yeager, Selene. The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Latest Findings on the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems - From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers and Yeast Infections. California: Rodale Books, 2008. Print.

This is one of the argumentative essay writing samples from our competent writers. Liked it? Then order an essay from our service! We would provide you with the absolutely unique paper anytime you need.

Get 15% OFF your FIRST ORDER + 10% OFF every order by receiving 300 words/page instead of 275 words/page