Increased consumption of junk food and fast food may be the cause of rises in obesity and other chronic health conditions. A 2004 study by researchers at the Agricultural Research Service and Harvard University revealed that children who consume fast food on a regular basis are more likely to develop chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes later in life.
Empty Calories
Most fast food and junk food is high in calories and low in nutritional value. Calories that contain few or no nutrients are also referred to as empty calories. According to the HelpGuide.org, at one fast food chain, a double burger meal with fries and an apple pie contains more saturated fat than the average adult should consume in two days. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends limiting your empty calorie intake to 260 calories per day for adult women, or 330 calories for adult men.
Sodium
Fast food tends to have a high sodium content, as noted by the National Institutes of Health Medline Plus. Excessive sodium is a primary factor in the development of high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney disease. According to HelpGuide.org, surveys have shown that up to 57 percent of meals at fast food restaurants contain more than the recommended 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily for most American adults. Even low-calorie junk foods and fast foods often contain high amounts of sodium.
Effects on Mood
Fast food and junk food may contain trans fats, which have been shown to increase the chances of developing depression. According to the University of California online journal, "The Bottom Line," researchers from the Spanish University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria conducted a six year study of the diets of 12,000 volunteers. Participants who consumed trans fats on a regular basis were 48 percent more likely to suffer from depression than those who did not. Researchers in Britain made similar discoveries in a study of more than 3,000 participants for a five year period.
Tips
Although eliminating junk food and fast food from your diet completely may be ideal, it probably isn't necessary. If you enjoy a burger and fries every now and then, you probably don't have serious health concerns. However, avoid making fast food and junk food a regular habit. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that you avoid eating oversized portions, and that you replace sugary, high-calorie beverages with more nutritious choices whenever possible. Keep in mind that seemingly innocent items, like condiments and additions to burgers, such as bacon and cheese, may be high in fat and sodium.
References
- HelpGuide.org: Healthy Fast Food; Maya W. Paul; 2010
- National Institutes of Health Medline Plus: Sodium in Diet
- MayoClinic.com; Junk Food Blues: Are Depression and Diet Related?; Katherine Zeratsky
- University of California "The Bottom Line"; Fast Food Causes Depression, Studies Say; Alex Smallwood; May 2011
- United States Department of Agriculture: Empty Calories
- Agricultural Research Service and Harvard University: Survey Links Fast Food, Poor Nutrition Among U.S. Children; Rosalie Marion Bliss; 2004
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