Why Does American Food Make You Fat?

The standard American diet consists of calorie-dense and nutrient-poor foods and beverages, according to research by registered dietitian David Grotto published in "Nutrition in Clinical Practice" in 2010. Along with increased portion sizes, bad food has contributed to overweight and obesity, affecting 68 percent of adults and 48 percent of children, according to recent U.S. government statistics. Increased body weight and fat composition increase your risk of chronic diseases. Consult your doctor or nutritionist if you have questions about eating a healthy diet.

Too Many Calories

Americans consume high calorie, high fat meals. The convenience of heating pre-packaged meals at home and eating at fast food restaurants, combined with persuasive advertising of these food products, affect your food choices. Compared to 30 years ago, Americans consume larger portions of foods and sweetened beverages at home and in fast-food restaurants, according to research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" in 2003. The research found that sizes of salty snacks increased by 93 calories, soft drinks by 49 calories, hamburgers by 97 calories, french fries by 68 calories and Mexican food by 133 calories.

Processed Foods

The American diet is abundant in processed foods. Refined grains are high glycemic foods that rapidly increase your blood sugar and insulin levels. This may cause an oversupply of sugar that your body is unable to process. Excess sugar can turn into fat, increasing your weight. Research by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in "Health Economics" in 2011 found that people who transition from whole grains to processed foods robustly increase body weight and obesity.

Added Fat and Sugar

Many fast foods and processed foods contain trans fats and sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup, that can make you fat. Trans fats, also called hydrogenated vegetable oils, are industrial processed and used in fast-food frying, breads, desserts and salad dressings. These fats can clog your arteries and cause heart disease. High fructose corn syrup is used to sweeten beverages and foods. Research by scientists at Princeton University and published in "Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior" in 2010 demonstrates that high fructose corn syrup increases body weight accompanied by an increase in fat cells, particularly abdominal fat.

Obesogens

Obesogens are chemicals and toxins in your food that can make you fat, according to recent research. Exposure to obesogens predisposes you to weight gain, even if you eat a normal diet and exercise, according to research by scientists at the University of California in Irvine and published in "Molecular Endocrinology" in 2009. These substances include pesticides sprayed on fruits and vegetables, natural compounds found in soy products, genetically engineered foods, antibiotics and artificial and natural growth hormones fed to chickens, cows, pigs and other animals you eat, plastic pollutants in package materials, chemicals added to processed foods and other toxins that disrupt the function of your hormonal system and may increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Foods containing obesogens include non-organic apples, pears, strawberries, cherries, imported grapes, peaches, nectarines, celery, carrots, kale, lettuce, corn and soy fed beef and chicken, and farm-raised salmon. Packaging materials, such as the lining of canned foods and plastics that include softeners called phthalates that leach into your body fluids, also contain obesogens.