Fast food is a pervasive part of Western culture, particularly in the United States. Families, particularly dual-income and single-parent families, commonly rely on fast food meals to accommodate their busy schedules. However, frequent consumption of fast food meals may cause a variety of heath problems, particularly for children.
Obesity
Heavy reliance on fast food meals can increase the risk of obesity in children. These meals are typically higher in calories than home-cooked meals -- one fast food meal often contains an entire day's worth of calories, according to the National Institutes of Health. Children's bodies are typically unable to burn off enough of these calories through exercise to prevent weight gain.
Heart Disease
Fast food offerings typically feature red meats, which are high in saturated fats. They also often include deep fried foods, such as breaded fish and chicken, breakfast sausage, onion rings and french fries. Deep fried foods typically contain high amounts of trans fats and saturated fats. These fats elevate low-density lipoprotein levels in the bloodstream, which can clog children's arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
Diabetes
Fast food sandwich buns are frequently made from white flour, a simple carbohydrate that raises blood glucose levels. Other fast food staples, such as pancakes, french fries, onion rings, french toast sticks and breadsticks, are also loaded with simple carbohydrates. Heavy reliance on these carbohydrates can lead to the onset of diabetes, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Although diabetes is most commonly associated with adults, school-aged children and teens can also develop this chronic disease.
Malnutrition
Many selections on the typical fast food restaurant menu are fried or grilled. Frying and grilling foods may destroy the essential vitamins and nutrients, turning the foods into empty calories, according to David Wolfe, author of "The Sunfood Diet Success System." The refining process used to produce refined flour for fast food buns also strips the grains of nutrients, including B vitamins and fiber. Frequent consumption of fast food items, when not balanced with meals containing fruits, vegetables and whole grains, may contribute to nutrient deficiencies in children.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Eating at Fast Food Restaurants More than Twice Per Week is Associated with More Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance in Otherwise Healthy Young Adults
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
- "The Sunfood Diet Success System"; David Wolfe; 2008
