Due to the low cost and convenience, fast food has become an unhealthy addition to the average American's diet. According to the National Institutes of Health, the consumption of fast food has steadily increased over the last 30 years. The extra-large food portions, which are loaded with salt, saturated fat and calories, provide little nutritional value and increase the risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases and life-threatening health issues in both adults and children.
Obesity
Fast foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and french fries are a tasty treat now and then, but when your daily diet is filled with foods from fast food restaurants you increase your chances of becoming overweight. Obesity can lead to a variety of chronic health conditions and illnesses. Diet-related obesity is on the rise in both children and adults; the amount of fast food we consume is partially responsible for the weight gain of millions in this country. One fast food meal, with its large portion size and high fat content, often contains enough calories to satisfy the average person's daily caloric requirements. Limit your trips to fast food restaurants to help reduce your risk of becoming obese.
Type 2 Diabetes
A poor diet often contributes to insulin resistance, which leads to the development of type 2 diabetes in both adults and children. According to MayoClinic.com, being overweight is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes. People who eat a steady diet of fat-filled burgers, fries and pizza from fast food restaurants are at a greater risk becoming obese and of developing insulin resistance at an earlier age. Type 2 diabetes contributes to other health conditions such as blindness, stroke, kidney failure and hypertension. Lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy diet and staying active.
Cardiovascular Disease
Considered the leading cause of death throughout the world, cardiovascular disease is the accumulation of fat and plaque in your arteries that can lead to heart failure, heart attack and in some cases, death. A steady, unhealthy diet of fast foods that are filled with, trans fats, cholesterol, fat and salt contributes greatly to the development of cardiovascular disease. Obesity caused by the steady consumption of fast food also raises your risk of developing heart-related issues, according to MayoClinic.com. Avoid cardiovascular conditions by following a healthy low-fat diet and exercising for at least 30 minutes every day.
Hypertension
A poor diet that is filled with fast foods that are high in sodium are one of the causes of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Eating too much salt causes your body to retain water, which will raise your blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease or of having a stroke. Cardiovascular disease can lead to a heart attack or congestive heart failure and in the worst cases, death. A stroke may cause brain damage, blindness, paralysis and in some cases, death. Avoid hypertension by maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and by following a diet that is low in salt and fat.
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
- Stony Brook University: The Dangers of Eating Fast Food
- MayoClinic.com: Heart Disease Risk Factors
- MayoClinic.com: Hypertension Risk Factors
- Medline Plus: Fast Foods
- MayoClinic.com: Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors
