Dangers Posed By The Fast Food Industry

“Every day in the United States, nearly 200,000 people are sickened by foodborne disease, 900 are hospitalized, and fourteen die. . . . Most of these cases are never reported to the authorities or adequately diagnosed. The widespread outbreaks that are detected . . . represent a small fraction of the number that occurs.’’ (Schlosser Eric) Fast food causes health problems with the heart all the way to the liver. The sugar in all fast food can raise blood pressure, which can create a stork. Hamburger noodles and fries contains a lot of salt/ sodium, and we eat those products every day. Sodium causes high blood pressure; high blood pressure leads to heart failure that can cause your heart to stop any second. Eating fast food is very hard to stop, due

“Although many health authorities insist that there is no such thing as junk food, consumers find it a useful term for distinguishing nourishing food from products whose chief appeal is fun, convenience, and addictive taste; ‘bet you can't eat just one’ ”(Junk Food). Americans are spending about $4.6 billion a year on potato chips, and 23.5 billion a year on candy and gum. 46 Percent of adult Americans eat out on a typical day, and one third of them choose fast food. That is because the fast food industry has slowly become one of the symbols of American culture and is spreading to other cultures as well: McDonalds has 26,000 locations in 119 countries, Pizza Hut has more than 10,000 in 86 countries, and Subway has 14,500 in 75 countries. Commercials, signs, and huge advertisements are pushing junk food at us every day; people cannot even go to the grocery store without candy bars being lined up right by the checkout. The junk food industry realizes how appealing it can be. When a person is in a rush, they can easily eat a large meal without having to make a lot of decisions, work, dress up, or get out of their car. The speed and convenience fit Americans’ pressured lifestyles. It does not fit, however, to our health and wellness. A fast food meal, such as a Burger King Double Whopper with cheese, contains 965 calories, more than double the amount of fat, and as much as 750 grams too much sodium

Fast food causes Coronary Artery Disease. Nancy Clarks indicates “Fast food contains high amounts of cholesterol and salt, two nutrients that contribute to cardiovascular health problems” (parag. 2). Fast food is known to be unhealthy, it is high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol which can cause Atherosclerosis and lead to Heart Disease. The U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention claim there is a direct link between sodium and high blood pressure. Fast food is high in sodium

Fast food, in today’s society, has become a major part of individuals’ lives. For it’s easy, quick and cheap food. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically it is referred to as low quality, prepackaged foods that have little preparation time. Through further research of fast food restaurants and their role in the obesity epidemic in America, it lead to further conclusions on the need for changes that must be done in order to combat obesity. There are, however, multiple individuals who feel that the fast food industry is simply taking a toll on Americans and their health. For instance, the article “Don’t blame the Eater” explains the battle of fast food chains in America, and the major causes of this epidemic. Obesity in America, costs the United States about 147 billion dollars annually. In a recent article, Author Eric Finkelstein, a researcher for Triangle Park conducted a study in which explains the multiple causes and affects of fast food chains and its role in creating an unhealthy society. Considerably, “The Effect of Fast food Restaurants on Obesity”, an in depth article written by authors Janet Currie, Stefano DellaVigna, Enrico Moretti and Vikram Pathania, share their studies and findings on how fast food chains are indeed a major player in obesity across the country, as well as a leading player in the up rise in health related illnesses. There is a connection between neighborhood scarcity and fast food industries.

Around 160,000 fast food franchises have been opened all over America. America is the most obese country in this world. Healthy food is supplement rich, yet fast food has a tendency to be poor in nutrients and high in calories. Know that fast food can satisfy our day by day calories requirements; not only it gives us calories, but it also harms our health with other ingredients. For instance, fast food is high in soaked fats and trans fats. In addition, it has additives, chemicals, and artificial flavors. Fast food impacts our health and causes infections, for example, heart disease, diabetes, high blood sugar and high blood pressure. On the other hand, healthy food provides the best nutrients and protects our body from sickness, since it contains vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Fast food is addictive and unhealthy. (Obesity in America) (Chronic

Consumption of fast food in America is at an all time high. The low prices and addictive flavors have made us Americans ignorant to what actually goes into this food. Americans are constantly trying to save money on food and as a result, turn to fast food. If we really knew what was going into this food, how many of us would continue to eat it? The book, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All American Meal by Eric Schlosser not only uncovers the truth about how bad fast food really is for us but it also discusses how fast food has shaped America. A numerous amount of issues having to do with the food production are addressed throughout the book.

Fast food has without a doubt changed the way people eat in America, and is partly to blame for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. According to Murray (40) more than 300, 000 every year are related to obesity. Individuals should know what they are consuming and how it is prepared or made; they should spend their hard earned money on restaurants that make healthy food. So why is fast food unhealthy? Fast food may look tasty and appealing, however, they contain a myriad of hidden health hazards that are dangerous if consumed in large quantities and are a primary cause of obesity, particularly in children. The effects of eating fast food on a person’s health are: increase in blood pressure, a delay in the metabolic rate, increase in the levels of bad cholesterol, destabilization of blood sugar levels, and weakening of the immune system. Furthermore, the effects of fast food include obesity, nutritional deficiencies, and cardiac problems among other health hazards. No one is forcing individuals to eat fast food, but the fact is that fast food restaurants will change when consumers demand changes. Even if three percent of Americans complained about fast food, it would make a substantial drop in

It has been a controversial debate whether fast food is blamed for the increased rate of obesity in America. As how it is called, fast food has become a convenient and effortless option for people on the go to fill their stomachs. It seems that the prices are too cheap causing fast food to be the easiest way out of this tough economy. “It's easy, it's filling, and it's convenient and inexpensive” ("Americans”). However, the consumers play the most important role in bringing a solution to obesity, though the fast food industry are resolved to provide them with nutritious and healthy foods. In most of public debates, the extensive accessibility of the fast-food eateries is often supposed to be the dominant factor of the Americans’ rocketing obesity

"Fast food is popular because it 's convenient, it 's cheap, and it tastes good. But the real cost of eating fast food never appears on the menu," was said by Eric Schlosser. Several people in America have become dependent on fast foods. How many of the people who eat this food actually know what is really in the food or how it was made? Others don 't think about it, because within ordering, three minutes later a customer can pull up to the window, pay, and get food. It is quick and cheap. The United States has become dependent on fast foods because they are everywhere, but the consequences of these facilities have brought health issues and closing of community restaurants.

One of today’s major problems is the prominence of obesity in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have given the definition of a body mass index of 30.0 or higher as being obese. When analyzing this data, one in three U.S. citizens is obese and one in twenty are considered extremely obese. The Obesity Action Coalition has also announced that between the 1970s and today, fast food restaurants have double at the same rate as obese Americans. (Carey) While this is not all the fault of the restaurant, there is a correlation between cheap fast food with no nutrition and obesity. With this data, you’d think that steps would be taken to protect our youth but instead, fast food restaurants now tend to pop-up around schools and low-income neighborhoods. At the same time, fast food companies have spent about $4 billion in a year to advertise with a target on children ages six to eleven. (Fast

Over 45 million people have gone to eat at various Fast Food restaurants such as Burger King and McDonalds. Americans have depended on Fast Food restaurants for around 6 decades, whenever they want something quick and delicious to eat. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “one in five American adults [are] obese or classified as obese; while thirty percent of children in the U.S. are suffering from obesity”. This is astounding due to the fact that many ingredients in fast food such as Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Nitrate, and High Fructose Corn Syrup have been shown by studies to cause diabetes, cancer, and many other diseases. The Fast Food Industry, because of the aforementioned problems with obesity and diseases along with how the Fast

At almost every corner, a person encounters a fast food establishment with its bright LED lights and posters of mouth-watering burgers and desserts. Major companies such as McDonalds and Burger King are luring in millions of people everyday into consuming their goods by means of mass advertising and cheap menus such as the dollar menu and the BK Deal. Usually, people blame themselves for being obese and not being able to control their eating habits, but the truth of the matter is, the problem lies in the carelessness of fast food institutions because they are the ones that offer unhealthy foods at cheap prices.

Tons of negative health effects come from eating fast food. First, obesity is a huge problem in America. The major cause of obesity comes from eating too much fast food. The obesity rates have skyrocketed over the years. Over seventy percent of Americans are overweight or obese. An author elaborated more by expressing their facts and arguing that, “Excess weight in children is a significant global public health issue: 10% of school aged children, and a further 22 million children over 5 years old estimated to be overweight or obese. Child obesity rate levels are rising across the globe”(Kelly 1). The concerns Kelly states specifically supports my point that obesity has gotten out of hand in the U.S. People

One of America’s top leading problems in the 21st century is caused by vast amounts of unhealthy food which leads to not only obesity, but other health related issues such as diabetes and other heart conditions. There are many fingers to be pointed at who to blame for this problem, whether it be government’s fault or just personal responsibility. Most of the problems faced by the United States, such as obesity and diabetes, are the consequences of excessive unhealthy food intake. So many people in today’s society settle for the easiest and quickest way to get food, and usually end up at a fast food restaurant. Fast food is ridiculously cheap and easy to get. Little do they know, the food they are consuming is full of saturated fats, salts, and sugars which is very unhealthy. Fast food chains are known for their appeal to teenagers and kids, the risk of making children sick and unhealthy, and how it is easy to afford the cheap food they offer.

Since fast food first emerged in the United States it has become a large and successful industry, netting billions of dollars every year. This rapid expansion of fast food has put a fast food establishment within reach of almost every American. In Adam Chandler’s “What if Consumers Just Want to Buy Junk Food” he claims that although a majority of Americans believe they eat healthier today than in the 1970’s, but in fact studies show the very opposite. Chandler associates this to the consumers preference of unhealthy foods, but there is strong evidence that this rise in unhealthy consumption in American society can be attributed to the marketing and business tactics of fast food corporations, the availability and ease of access to fast food, and their socioeconomic status.