Fast Foods: A Health Risk Despite Easy Prep and Consumption - Essay Sample

Introduction

Fast foods are foods that people consume quickly as it is easy to prepare and ready to consume in no time. The food is also referred to as "junk food." Research shows that the consumption of fast foods is detrimental to health (CDC, 2019). This is attributed to the fact that the foods have high calories which means it lacks in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber but has high energy. The foods do not have nutrients that help the body stay healthy in the long term. Most of the foods that are used in making fast foods use refined sugar, food additives such as glutamate and monosodium, white flour, ad trans-fat. The food is liked because they are tasty, convenient and fashionable. This poster seeks to inform on the effects of fatty foods on one's health.

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Obesity is the most noticeable effect of fast foods. The weight gain that leads to obesity arises due to the consumption of high calories and fat-rich foods which the body finds difficult to burn. Fast foods have very high energy density. Since most people assess food intake by the size of the portion, they might consume the same amount of fast food as traditional meals, yet the former has more energy density. The effect is more pronounced in children as they have not yet developed any of the learned dietary restraints that call for people to keep fit and remain slim. Fast food intake minimizes the intake of healthy foods such as fruits, milk, and vegetables. Moreover, inflammation of the hypothalamus by trans-fat can result in weight gain as it is the part containing neurons that control body weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC) (2019), change in eating habits has led to obesity with obesity rates rate among adult women standing at 35.5 percent and 32.1 percent in men. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents was 18.5 percent (CDC, 2019).

Consumption of fast foods is associated with type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use it properly. Type 2 diabetes mainly arises when the body does not use insulin as well as it should, insulin resistance. Fast foods contribute to diabetes in several ways. The foods contain highly processed foods that are high in calories which break down quickly in the body causing a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. The weight gain associated with diabetes which combined with fat is a major risk factor that results in type-2 diabetes. The trans-fats in fast foods is known to raise triglycerides which is a type of fat occurring in the blood. A large amount of triglyceride is linked to the development of type-2 diabetes. In research conducted in 2004, fast food consumption doubles the chances of insulin resistance which heightens the risk of developing type-2 diabetes (Alter and Envy, 2005). Type 2 diabetes through preventable makes up 90 to 95 percent of diabetes (CDC, 2019).

Cardiovascular diseases are linked to fast foods. Fast foods have large amounts of sodium which increase blood pressure, increase left ventricular hypertrophy and reduced production of anti-inflammatory cytokine- conditions detrimental to cardiovascular health. Saturated fats, as well as sugars, have been linked to increased cholesterol and triglycerides, both which increase the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. According to research by Alter and Eny (2005), hospitalization for acute coronary syndromes was high in regions with greater numbers of fast-food restaurants and services.

Fast foods also cause dementia. The link is attributed to the saturated fats and trans fat found in fast foods. The saturated fats trigger the production of beta-amyloid that collect in plagues in the brain (Macrae, 2012). Other arguments brought forward to argue that oily and sugary foods raise insulin levels significantly. The excessive levels of insulin may lead to brain shutdown interfering with the response to the hormone. This may consequently hinder the ability to think about raising the risk of having dementia. Currently, an estimated 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer's dementia across all ages (CDC, 2019).

Another detrimental effect of fast food on health is the habit of overeating. Several studies equate overeating to drug addiction. They argue that consumption of fast food may trigger pleasure parts of the cerebrum just like drugs (BBC, 2003). Exposure to pleasurable tasty foods can alter the gene expression leading to addiction. Food addiction is associated with cravings for certain foods, eating more than the intended amount and an uncontrollable control over consumption. Fast food addiction is the biggest barrier to controlling obesity and other associated effects.

Based on these effects people should eat foods low in fat, high in fiber, food with a moderate amount of sugar and salt as well as calcium and iron-rich foods. Children may find it hard to overcome their affinity to fast foods and parents are advised to try and avoid habituating their children to such foods.

Fast foods have many effects on health. Though it offers gratification and saves on time, these effects are short-lived, and the long term effects such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases have a huge impact on health and day to day activities. Awareness of fast food effects is thus necessary.

References

Alter, D., & Envy, A. (2005). The relationship between the supply of fast-food chains and cardiovascular outcomes. PubMed, 96(3), 173-177.

BBC. (2003, January 30). BBC NEWSHealthFast food 'as addictive as heroin.' Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2707143.stm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, January 31). Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Macrae, F. (2012, August 30). Gorging on junk food may not just make you fat; it could also give you dementia. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2195331/Can-dementia-eating-junk-food-Alzheimers-form-diabetes-say-scientists.html