Does Fast Food Get To Be A Problem?

Fast food is very popular amongst today’s society. Fast Food Nation has reasons for the explosion in popularity of fast food restaurants in the mid-1900’s. It also explains negative effects on American Culture in today’s society. The fast-food industry has multiplied across America and changed the food industry. Eric Schlosser describes in Fast Food Nation the way people think about what they eat and what people think of the fast food industry, and also its impact on society.

There are many books and movies, coving fast food and the dark side of all American meals. According to Eric Schlosser, “Fast food is now so commonplace that it has acquired an air of inevitability, as though it were somehow unavoidable, a fact of modern life”(7). In fact, there are

Working in a slaughter house is one of the most dangerous jobs on earth. Workers in these factories risk their lives and limbs on a daily basis, all the while making the factory owner's rich. These blue collar jobs are becoming increasingly dangerous as can be seen in both “The Jungle” to the “Fast Food Nation”. Through both the works of Upton Sinclair's “The Jungle”, written in 1906, and Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation”,, published in 2001 it is clear that the behind-the-scenes picture of the meat-packing industry, not much has changed in the past hundred years.

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.

In the non-fiction text, McJobs, by Eric Schlosser, it is explained how fast food chains like McDonald’s have changed the country. They have transformed small towns such as Martinsburg, West Virginia, from spacious orchards into busy cities. Because of this, some may argue that fast food has made a negative impact. However, fast food also provides jobs for millions of young, inexperienced workers. A lot of evidence can be found for both sides of the argument, so it is clear that fast food has made many changes for good and for bad. A lot of things that you wouldn't expect have been affected by fast food: the economy, people’s health, population, and more.

Did you know that average American families spend about 1200 dollars on fast food every year? Keep in mind that equals about 12.5 dollars per meal, with burgers, fries, pizza and fried chicken being the most common meals. In the non fiction text, “McJobs” by Eric Schlosser, he explains how fast food has many bad effects on society. And fast food causes many bad effects. For example when we eat fast food we take the risk of getting many diseases. Fast food affects your nervous system, and even causes addiction.

From a study completed by Chicago-based Research International USA completed a study called “Fast Food Nation 2008. The panel consisted of 1,000 respondents of ages 16-65 who provided their inputs with an online survey which was conducted between March 13 through 2008. Which was based on results on fast food restaurants like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s are gaining popularity even through the economic hardship and recession. Marketing strategy has become more of influence on kids and young American’s. As population grows and the demand increases of fast food restaurants are expanding their stores to capturing more consumers. Fast food chains are also willing to change their menus to continue to gain and retain repeating customers.

One reason I think it’s the fast food’s fault is that they don’t use real meat. Most fast food that serves meat is only 36% real meat. That means you really don’t know what you’re eating. There were rumors you were eating pink slime! Ewwww it’s even disgusting to think about. Places like Taco Bell, Burger King, and McDonalds lie about ingredients. That is exactly why they don’t label what there food is made of.

McDonald’s supports the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Much of the soy-based animal feed used to fatten fast-food chickens is grown in the Amazon. Are those chicken nuggets really worth acres of irreplaceable trees? (Especially considering how important carbon sinks like the rainforest are to halt global warming!) Fast food supports a completely unsustainable system of agriculture. It’s cruel to animals, unhealthy for humans, and bad for the planet.

Throughout the years, fast food is becoming more and more of an outlet for many people that are short on change, in a rush but still need to grab a bite to eat, or even who are just too lazy to cook a meal. Fast food is very cheap, yet when we eat it we don’t necessarily realize the price we pay when we are starting to gain weight. Who is to blame? The person that is addicted to fast food, or the fast food restaurants? I agree fast food is cheap, yet delicious. I understand that it may get addicting, I do not believe that it is the restaurants fault for your lack of self-control. Eating fast food all the time can put you up against some major health risks. As claimed by, “Fast Food and Obesity,” Every 4 out of 10 adults in the USA will

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

All throughout the United States, fast food companies rule the streets. Everywhere you look you find a McDonalds or Burgerking and although their foods are filled with greases and fats, we still love them. It’s common knowledge that fast food is ridiculously unhealthy compared to average meals, and yet we still find them spreading across our globe spanning from India to Venezuela. Despite our knowledge of the nutritional value of fast food, it remains popular due to availability, price, speed, and minimum effort.

Nowadays, most people -especially kids and young people- prefer to eat fast food, such as hamburgers, pizza, fried food, etc. Why it has become so popular? It tastes better than homemade food? We do not believe it is only the taste the reason of the popularity of fast food. There are several reasons why fast food had become popular over the years. It is popular because it is cheap, quick and convenient to those who have a busy modern life.

So on the way to work they will buy dinner at a fast food restaurant. Places such as McDonalds's, Burger King, and Taco Bell have begun to appear on every street corner. Fast food restaurants made an appearance in America in the 1960's. They have not been around for very long and already the effects are destroying the health of the people in America. This is because people go to what to tastes good and these foods taste good to the kids. When their parents grew up a trip to grandmas for Sunday dinner was a treat and a variety from the meals at home. Today the treat is going out to a fast food restaurant. These foods are usually inexpensive, prepared for the person, and they taste good. The downside to these places is that their food is greasy and high in fat. Both of these are contributors to high blood pressure and high frequency of heart attacks among the American population.

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence that the consumption of fast food has a detrimental effect on the quality of society’s overall dental health. With the growth of the fast food industry over the last sixty years, Americans and global citizens have altered their eating habits by consuming a higher level of processed foods with additives and preservatives. The typical diet is comprised of foods high in refined sugars and fermentable carbohydrates instead of natural foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. The fast food industry promotes convenience and consumption of soft drinks and snacks in between meals. The continuous sugar intake during the day promotes increased levels of bacteria producing acid which attacks the enamel of teeth. Biological mechanisms to clear the acid, such as saliva cannot prevent the ultimately increased risk of tooth decay against this increased sugar intake. As a result, the role of a dental hygienist is promoting dental hygiene awareness and a proper oral care routine must also incorporate a conversation about healthy daily eating habits.