Reasons Fast Food Is Bad For Kids

There is little that's good about fast food. Kids may enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant and the toys they receive with their meals, but fast food is high in empty calories, saturated fat and sodium. Parents may enjoy the cheap prices and the convenience of fast food meals, but should save trips to fast food restaurants for special occasions.

Obesity

While low-calorie options are available at most fast food restaurants, the average meal for kids carries about 616 calories, more than necessary for younger children, leading to obesity and excess weight. As they gain weight, children are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Sleep apnea and other breathing disorders are more common in overweight children than their thinner peers. Gallstones, liver disease, asthma and arthritis also are conditions associated with obesity that often is a direct result of a fast food diet.

Fat

Trans fats put kids in danger of developing heart disease. The unhealthy fats found in fast food like potato chips, French fries, fried chicken and biscuits clog the arteries that send blood to the brain and the heart. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, no human body needs trans fats or trans fatty acids. Children, starting to ingest a diet full of trans fats as early as age 3 or 4 may develop heart disease earlier in life than kids who don't eat fast food frequently. While they may not have a stroke or heart attack until the age of 40, by the age of 8 or 9, many kids already shows signs of clogged arteries.

Sodium

On top of the extra calories and unhealthy trans fats, fast food is notorious for its sodium content, another habit formed in early childhood that leads to a slew of medical complications. According to the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, a diet that includes excessive amounts of salt leads to high blood pressure, the precursor for kidney problems and cardiovascular disease. On average, kids should not eat more than about 1,500 mg of salt a day. Some fast food meals alone carry as much as 1,800.

Precedence

Obese children are at a higher risk of turning into obese adults. According to the American Psychological Association, the eating habits children learn early often continue into adulthood. While the propensity to gain weight is somewhat dependent on your family history and genetic makeup, your eating habits and environment are the final harbingers of your ultimate health. American families accept the ubiquitous array of fast food options and pass the dietary choices on to their children, perpetuating the obesity epidemic. When children are exposed to an environment of fast food on a regular basis, they learn that it's all right to depend on high fat, sugar-laden foods that taste much better than most natural foods as staples in their diet.