Fast food should be called "fat food," according to the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. The paucity of nutrients paired with the high sugar, sodium and fat content of fast food make it a growing concern for the prevention of obesity in adolescents. According to an article published by CBS News in 2011, "every day, nearly one-third of U.S. children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food, which likely packs on about six extra pounds per child per year and increases the risk of obesity." The eating habits of children and adolescents are a target of intervention to prevent another generation of obese Americans and promote healthy lifestyles for the current generation.
Obesity in the U.S.
As of 2011, obesity affects 17 percent of children and adolescents in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number has tripled from the generation just preceding. Visible minorities appear to be at particular risk for obesity in the United States, with African-Americans having a 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity and those of Hispanic decent having 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with non-visible minorities. Low-income populations are also at a higher risk of developing obesity, particularly in their adolescent population.
What Is Obesity?
The CDC defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. However, there are other definitions of obesity, including gaining 30 lbs. over your "ideal" weight, or having a body fat percentage of over 30 percent or even over 20 percent. Obesity in children is a grave health concern as obese children are more likely to become obese adults and thus at risk of experiencing a number of serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Obese children and adolescents are also at a higher risk of being more severely obese as adults.
Fast Food as 'Fat Food'
Adolescents who eat fast foods eat more calories, fat, sugar and carbohydrates. These same adolescents also eat fewer vegetables and fruit. These additional calories are often lacking nutritional value, leading to a vicious cycle of poor food choices. The Agricultural Research Service indicates that when children and adolescents consume fast food, they are more likely to consume more calories in that day. Children and adolescents who consume fast food may gain up to 6 additional pounds per year based on the extra calorie intake caused by fast food.
Why Do Adolescents Eat Fast Food?
Fast food marketing targets young audiences. According to the CDC, nearly half of all schools in the United States still allow advertising for unhealthy foods in the school, targeting young minds where they learn. Labeling of nutritional content appears to make little impact on adolescents, according to a study published in the "International Journal of Obesity" in February 2011. Many teens reported noticing but disregarding this information. Fast food has also become a common choice for the American family, with easy access to a wide selection of fast foods within a short distance from home, low cost and time all factoring into the decision.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: U.S. Obesity Trends
- Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute; Adolescent Obesity; Lynn Marmitt
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Child and Adolescent Fast-food Choice and the Influence of Calorie Labeling: a Natural Experiment; B. Elbel et al.; February 2011
- CBS News; Fast Food Linked To Child Obesity; February 2009
- Agricultural Research Service; Too Much Fast Food Spells "Fat Food"; Rosalie Marion Bliss
- Centers for Disease Control: Childhood Overweight and Obesity
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