Obesity among Americans has been a growing issue in the United States predominantly over the past decade. Many may argue American’s are obese because of poor food choices, over-eating, genetic disposition, lack of exercise, or the environment which one lives, while others blame it all on fast-food chains and restaurants. Throughout my research I have come to find a lot of facts and statistics about fast food consumption causing obesity. Statistics show that without a doubt the United States is the most obese country in the world. Since Americans typically live hectic lifestyles, fast food is a quick and easy way to grab a meal on the go. However, eating fast food frequently provides the body with high amounts of calories, sugars, saturated and trans fats, while lacking in vitamins and minerals. Overtime, eating fast food can take a toll on ones body and increase the risk of developing illnesses and diseases. These diseases include heart disease; type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cancer, breathing problems, arthritis and even reproductive complications. Candelaria states in her article, “Eating a Western diet with lots of processed or fried foods that can raise blood levels of “oxidized” cholesterol and could increase heart attack risk”. Since fast food contains a surprisingly high amount of sugars it can aid in causing type two diabetes, especially if eaten over long period of time. Diabetes may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease and blindness (Candelaria). Frequent consumption of processed, fatty foods may lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, which may result in a stroke. Also, an obese person is associated with a higher prevalence of acquiring asthma as well ... ... middle of paper ... ...nsequences." Surgeon General. Surgeon General, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. . Sassi, Franco. "How U.S. Obesity Compares With Other Countries." PBS. PBS, 11 Apr. 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/04/how-us-obesity-compares-with-other-countries.html Stanish, Janelle R. The Obesity Epidemic in America and the Responsibility of Big Food Manufacturers 2.11 (2012): 1. RSS. Student Pulse, 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/320/the-obesity-epidemic-in-america-and-the-responsibility-of-big-food-manufacturers Stein, Jeannine. "Wealthy Nations with a Lot of Fast Food: Destined to Be Obese?" Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. .
23 July 2018. Print. The. Brody, Jane E. “Attacking the Obesity Epidemic by First Figuring Out Its Cause.” New York Times.
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,” (...
"The Dangers of Eating Fast Food." Stony Brook University- The Heart Links Project. (1999): n.
The obesity crisis is turning out to be a huge issue today in America. According to CDC, more than one third of the adults from the US are obese. Those related conditions consist of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and many others. Also from CDC, the estimated medical cost of obesity in the US annually was $147 billion in 2008. Nowadays, obesity is spreading to the children because of the fast food industry targeting the younger audience to their food. Fast food was created very cheap and turned out to be one of the main causes of obesity. People are now consuming way too many calories and the calories that they are consuming from fast food is all fat calories. All of the ingredients have no nutritional quantity for the body. Fast food contains very much high fating components which is endangering consumers health. Salt, fat and sugar is turning out to be available everywhere. Fast food often turns ...
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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 has become a big necessity.
Obesity can be caused by a combination of fast food and the environment people live in today. Fast food contains foods that are high in fats, sugars, and starches. These ingredients have rarely any nutritional value to the human body. Most of the foods available at fast food restaurants like McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC contain concentrated salt and preservatives to enhance the flavor in them. Obesity has become the defining aspect of our nation by surrounding the people with fast food products. The freedom to choose what one wants, gives the fast food companies the right to give one unhealthy food. The consumption of fast food products regularly greatly increases one’s chance of having health disparities such as Coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, stroke, Hypertension, and Osteoarthritis. These negative effects are present with the daily eating of fast foods.
Scientists claim that the consumption of fast food leads to rapid weight gain, heart attacks, diabetes, reduced immunity, irreversible changes in the liver, raising the level of cholesterol in the blood. The fat contained in fast food, mainly consists of saturated fatty acids, which are deposited on the walls of blood vessels.
There’s much significant health risk associated with eating fast food on a regular basis. One of the health risks is Coronary Heart Disease which is when plaque builds up and it narrows your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. Eventually, the decreased blood flow may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, or other coronary artery disease symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack. Another health risk is fatty liver or hepatic steatosis which describes the buildup of fat in the liver. The role of the liver is to process everything we eat or drink and filter any harmful materials from the blood. And this process is interrupted if too much fat is in the liver. Also, eating too much fast food can lead to Hypercalcemia.
Since 1970, the number of fast food restaurants has doubled, which equates to about 300,000 establishments in the United States. Coincidentally, 33.8 percent of the U.S. population is affected by obesity and nineteen percent of children and adolescents are also affected, (Muntel, S. Obesity Action Coalition » Fast Food – Is it the Enemy?). These facts prove that the rise of obesity within the world’s population is associated with an increase in calorie intake and with the lack of adequate physical activity. From 1976 to 1980 the quantity and energy density of foods eaten in the United States has increased (NHANES II). Fast food restaurants play a major role in this increase.