One out of every three Americans is obese and the majority of these obese people in the United States have eaten regularly at fast food restaurants. As the obesity rate increases, the number of fast food restaurants goes up as well. Although it is not certain, many believe that obesity in the United States is correlated to eating fast food. Since the United States has the highest obesity rate out of any country, it is important for Americans to monitor the fast food industry that may be causing obesity. With the pressure to get things done in a timely manner, fast food became a big necessity. However, when creating fast food restaurants, the industries were not thinking about the negative effects such as obesity. Other than obesity, other harmful effects exist as well. Fast food restaurants serve unhealthy products such as greasy foods and artificial meat that lead to dietary health issues in many adults and children. A recent study showed that “Young children who are fed processed, nutrient-poor foods are likely to become unhealthy teenagers, and eventually unhealthy adults. Now twenty-three percent of teens in the U.S. are pre-diabetic or diabetic, 22% have high or borderline high LDL cholesterol levels, and 14% have hypertension or prehypertension” (May, Kuklina, Yoon). The food that they provide is made to be eaten quickly, causing problems for the digestive system. Also, the health problems lead to the use for health insurance, which adds to the costs of Medicare. Health care costs will only worsen an already failing economy. Therefore, the government should regulate fast food restaurants in the United States in order to repair the deteriorating health and economy in America. Many Americans live by the saying “Time is Money... ... middle of paper ... ...of Health & Senior Services." Fast Foods. Health.mo.gov, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 22 Jan. 2014. Doheny, Kathleen. "Junk Food Makers Target Kids With Free Online Games, Study Says." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 04 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. Corporate Accountability International. "Food/Challenge Corporate Abuse of Our Food." Corporate Accountability International. Stopcorporateabuse.org, 21 June 2013. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. United States Department of Agriculture. "School Meals." Child Nutrition Programs. USDA, 23 Dec. 2013. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. Elsevier Health Sciences. "Eating Out Can Have Both Positive And Negative Impact On Obesity." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 January 2008. . Godman, Heidi. "Get in Your Best Shape Ever in 2014!" Harvard Health Blog RSS. Harvard Health, 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
The American diet has changed dramatically in the past couple centuries and so has the restaurant industry. The result of this change in Americans actions and diets is a rising obesity rate among children. In the 1970s, the childhood obesity rate was five percent of children (2-19 years old). The obesity rates doubled in the 1980s and by 2008 16.9% of children were obese (Grossklavs and Marvlesin). The percentage of obese children has more than tripled in the last 40 years. The growing epidemic is dangerous and alarming. There are many factors that contribute to the dramatic rise of obesity children. As obesity has grown, so has the fast food industry. “Between 1977 and 1995, the percentage of meals and snacks eaten at fast food restaurants doubled,” (...
In the article, “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko discusses the damaging effects of fast-food restaurants on the young population. He uses factual evidence about the increase in Type 2 diabetes rates in children and adolescents who are obese. Zinczenko provides a refreshing and unique standpoint on the issue; most people blame consumers for choosing to eat fast food. He explains that it is not the fault of people for eating fast food, but it is the responsibility of fast-food restaurants to provide healthy alternatives and accurate nutrition information.
Food and Nutrition Services. Retrieved November 4, 2013, from http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). n.d. - n.d. - n.d. Facts About SNAP -. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/facts-about-snap.
Crouse, Janice Shaw. "The Fast-Food Industry Intentionally Markets Unhealthy Food to Children." Fast Food. Ed. Tracy Brown Collins. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2009. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Apr. 2011.
As of a 2011 report, two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, along with one-third of children and teens. Being overweight places you at higher risk for diseases and health issues such as type 2 diabetes. Starting to see how this could be a problem? It gets worse. In addition to human health problems, the production of fast food is
Fast food restaurants or fast food in general is becoming an issue. America does not seem to realize is that there are several reasons why fast food restaurants are not the best choice for people. What these restaurants are actually doing is breaking family bonding, increasing obesity, and wasting money. Being healthy is a choice a person has to make themselves. America should not want to continue to harm others with the selections they give out. Choices should always be made wisely.
Ronzio, Robert. “National School Lunch Program.” Health Reference Center. Facts on file, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. .
Fast food companies have caused a massive negative impact to society over the last couple of years despite the companies promise to produce healthy and nutritious meals. Many people have already been affected by the damages caused by eating junk food. During the 1950s, the United States Of America had an obesity rate of under 10 percent and as the fast food chain increased in 1975, the obesity rate rose up to a whopping 32 percent and has only kept growing. As the obesity rate increased so had the other forms of diseases that have and will continue to affect people until it has been known that the junk food is the primary cause and to stop or minimise the junk food intake.150 billion dollars (and still increasing) has been spent on obesity related diseases while a 174 billion dollars has been spent for treatment for diabetes and as more people consume junk food so has been the rate for treatment. In order to reduce medical expenses and self harm from junk food one must first switch to a healthy and proactive lifestyle.If the adults do not stop this bad habit children will follow and be affected in the near future. Foreign countries whom have been developing over the last decade had been impacted as well due to the lack of knowledge of the harm of the product. In 2013, the World Health Organisation declared that 42 million
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Food and Nutrition Services. 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 25 Oct. 2013.
Kushner, Jason, ed. "Fast Food and Obesity Epidemic."Nutra Legacy. Nutralegacy.com , 12 Nov 2008. Web. 16 Jan 2014. .
Americans have become very lazy when it comes to cooking food since they have so many different choices of fast food. One could eat three meals a day at a different fast food place and never revisit the same place within a week. When anyone is running late to work or anywhere else, there is always a drive-through nearby ready to move everyone on his or her way in two minutes or less with a cup of hot coffee and a bag of saturated fat. If there is not time for a decent sit-down lunch, there is always a fast food restaurant nearby to serve anyone’s needs. After a long day at work, many people do not want to go home and cook dinner, and the numerous drive-throughs offer a quick and convenient meal to take home. Taco Bell even offers their “4th Meal” and encourages people to come in late night for a snack.
Focusing on the well being of the customers should be the main focus of any major company, especially fast food companies. By reducing the amount of unhealthy choices for children and replacing them with nutritional foods, the nation’s youth will benefit.
Sifferlin, Alexandra, (2013, August 29), Forget the Food: Fast Food Ads Aimed at Kids Feature Lots of Giveaways, Time Health & Family, Retrieved from: http://healthland.time.com/2013/08/29/forget-the-food-fast-food-ads-aimed-at-kids-feature-lots-of-giveaways/
Nevertheless, some people insist that fast foods, such as chips, hamburgers and fizzy drinks, that are so cheap and tasty, are not a consequence of the health problems. However, I strongly disagree that fast food has no bad impact on people’s health. I believe that fast food has a negative impact on society and, therefore, people must take care of themselves and lead a healthy lifestyle if they do not want to face serious problems with their
As Americans, we’re always on the go. When hungry and have no time there are many fast and healthy items available. Many people who say that fast food chains is the main cause of obesity in America because there are plenty of fast food restaurants on every block with very few healthy options ("Do Fast Food Restaurants Contribute to Obesity?"). Fast food business are very easy to find and offer quick service, but there are other options that are healthy, especially in urban areas. Restaurants such as Panera offer a range of items that are healthy and offer a quick service for those on a schedule. In addition to these healthier options, it is also possible to pack their own snack or meal. People often become lazy when it comes to just cooking their meals at home. This choice allows the customer, to control what they eat.