Fast food can be any food that is quick, convenient and usually inexpensive to purchase. The fast food items many Americans eat are high in calories, sodium, sugar, cholesterol and unhealthy fats, which can increase your risk of chronic conditions and diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Advertising of fast foods may stimulate your appetite but often obscures the real truth about health dangers.
Energy-Dense Foods
Fast food is popular among Americans. Research by scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture and published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in 2004 reports that at least 25% of adults in the United States eat fast foods. The research also reports fast food consumers eat negligible amounts of nutrient-dense foods, such as fruit and milk, and large amounts of energy-dense, or calorie-rich, foods and beverages, such as non-diet carbonated soft drinks. Moreover, the more fast food meals a person eats, the more he may weigh.
Portion Sizes
Fast food companies lure you by portion sizes, making it appear as if you are getting a great deal. The truth is big portion sizes contain excess calories that increase your risk for weight gain and obesity. Research by scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in England and published in "Obesity Reviews" in 2003 reports humans have a weak ability to recognize and avoid consuming high-calorie foods and beverages and, as a result, over-consume calories from fast foods. Even though health authorities have requested fast food companies to reduce portion sizes, the industry has increased portion sizes, according to research by scientists at New York University in New York City and published in the "Journal of Public Health Policy" in 2007.
Unhealthy Fats
Fast foods contain unhealthy fats that include saturated and trans fatty acids. Research by scientists at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and published in the "International Journal of Obesity" in 2007 found that the same menu item may differ significantly in calories and fat content in venues in various locations. The results demonstrate that total fat content from the same menu item at McDonald's and KFC in 35 countries varies from 41 to 65 g at McDonald's and from 42 to 74 g at KFC. Plus, the fat content in many restaurants include high levels of trans fats, a fat manufacturers industrially produce to increase shelf-life that may contribute to increased risk of weight gain, abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by narrowing of airways and difficulty breathing. Eating fast foods can increase your risk of asthma symptoms. Research by scientists at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Wellington, New Zealand and published in "Allergy" in 2005 found that frequent consumption of hamburgers is associated with asthma symptoms, such as wheezing. The results of the research show that eating hamburgers in childhood can increase the risk of asthma symptoms in later years.
References
- Center for Young Women's Health, Children's Hospital Boston; Fast Food Facts; 2009
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Fast Food Consumption of U.S. Adults: Impact on Energy and Nutrient Intakes and Overweight Status; Shanthy Bowman; Apr 2004
- "Obesity Reviews"; Fast Foods, Energy Density and Obesity: A Possible Mechanistic Link; A. M. Prentice; Nov 2003
- "Journal of Public Health Policy"; Portion Sizes and Obesity: Responses of Fast-Food Companies; Lisa Young; Jul 2007
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Fast Food: Unfriendly and Unhealthy; S. Stender, et al.; Jun 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Asthma; 2010
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