Health Facts on Junk Food

You are probably aware that your favorite burger and fries, that stash of candy in your desk and that beloved tub of ice cream are all considered junk food. What you may not know, though, is exactly how eating too much of the stuff can affect your health. While junk food may taste good, it often has little nutritional value, along with heaping amounts of calories, sugar, sodium and fat. And while it may not harm you when eaten in moderation, over-consuming junk food can lead to some serious health issues.

Obesity

According to the Surgeon General's Call To Action to Prevent and Decrease Disease and Obesity, eating the wrong foods -- such as junk foods-- is commonly linked to obesity. Obesity contributes to many ailments, including stroke, diabetes and heart disease. While it can be easy to fall victim to television ads that sing to your taste buds, eating a healthy diet and only occasionally eating junk food can help cut down on your chances of developing obesity-related diseases.

Kids Obesity

Adults aren't the only ones who fall victim to obesity. Childhood obesity is becoming a major American concern and is partially to blame for higher numbers of childhood diabetes. Agencies like the Surgeon General's Office and the Centers for Disease Control are shifting efforts to decrease the amount of junk food that schools offer -- including vending and soda machines -- to lower this trend and promote more physical activity among children. But parents must contribute to their kids' healthy eating habits as well.

Junk and Your Heart

Fast food restaurants have made easy to grab a bite to eat, and while it may satisfy your hunger, it's usually high in negative elements like cholesterol, calories and sodium. Eating too much of these foods can lead to major health problems, such as high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. For women, eating too much junk food high in fat and cholesterol can increase the risk of developing cancers of the breast, pancreas, skin and urinary tract.

Junk Food and ADHA

Avoiding that sugar rush that your child gets from too much candy or soda isn't the only reason to monitor her intake of junk foods. When children eat too much junk food, their risk of developing ADHD becomes higher according to a study conducted by Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. It's not the actual contents of the junk food that increases the risk, but rather the lack of proper nutrients that help prevent the condition, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in healthier foods.