Health Risks Associated with Fast Food - Essay Example

Fast Food Whenever people move around the streets looking for some quick food to grab, fast food is usually an option. Fast food refers to a meal whose preparation takes a short time. Many restaurants display attractive fast foods in their counters attracting the attention of many customers. This trend tends to lure many people to consume foods without knowing their health content. Notably, consumers like going for efficient, low prices services in restaurants. Sometimes an individual may be in need of quick meal because of limited amount of time. In this case, fast food would be the best choice. Serving individual’s quick interest is essential in saving time and money. An individual’s age has a great influence on the eating habits of many people. Sometimes the type of duty that an individual does in the society would influence the amount of food that that individual would take. It is usually important to know nutritional content of any food. Studies indicate that promotion of fast food by many restaurants has led to growth in number of its consumers. It further alludes that many people do not care about the nutritional content of fast food. The nutritional content of fast food would influence health status of its consumer. Some people suffer from nutritional related disorders because of ignorance when it comes to make choices of what food to take. Various methods employed in preparing fast food would influence the content of nutrient it contains. Observation of human health requirement helps in making the right choice of food. This paper explores health impacts of fast food. Fast food attracts many people who have limited time to go for other meals. For instance, research indicates that many students take fast food because of limited time and nature of life they lead. Many students like buying ready-made food for their lunchtime meals. Many students prefer foods that are convenient, attractive, and cheap. Fast food is quite tempting because it has all the above attributes. The social space in school also promotes consumption of fast food in most institution. Attractive appearance often influences students to buy fast food. Other consumers of fast food include dating couples who would like to spend nice time together. Studies show that many fast foods contain high-energy nutrients (Watson 6). Other nutrient content of fast food include protein and vitamin among others. Knowledge of nutrient content in fast food is very essential since it would influence the quantity of fast food that an individual would consume. For instance, research indicates that a bite of potato snack contain about 10 grams of Trans fat (Hales & Lauzon 258). This fat is unhealthy to the body. This means that when an individual consumes large amount of snacks, the level of unhealthy fat in the body would increase. Human body responds to fat content in the food by accumulating them. This is usually dangerous because fat accumulation leads to overweight. Health research indicates that individuals that individuals who consume food rich in fats should burn similar amount of calories in order to avoid dangers of any fat related disorder. Health problems associated to consumption of food rich in fat include brain disorders. Scientific research indicates that accumulation of fats in the body would impair blood circulatory system that supplies blood to the brain. This in turn retards the body function of an individual. Blood circulation is essential since it supports function of body organs. Failure of body organs may result to death. Studies reveal that too much accumulation of fat on the blood circulatory system may stop blood delivery to the heart. Heart is a very essential organ in the human body. Its failure results to instant death. Many children who suffer obesity have high level of fat content in the body. Health studies reveal that children who suffer obesity at younger age may suffer heart failures at old age (Watson 25). Some studies also indicate that the condition might proceed to older age among children. In addition, high fat content in the food would lead to respiratory problems. Body fats lock the respiratory system hampering the function of the organs. When the system fails, an individual would grow weak and unable to complete tasks in the society. Death may occur in worst situation. Common symptom of an individual suffering from respiratory problem is wheezing. This indicates that the individual has difficulties in receiving the right amount of oxygen required for body operation. Further studies conducted among students who take fast food indicated that fast food impaired concentration in the class. Generally, human concentration depends on the amount of blood that human brain is able to receive. Health risks associated to fast food are easy to eliminate. Restaurants and respective consumers should appreciate the need to observe health regulation. Notably, many restaurants are reluctant to provide information regarding nutrition content of fast food they offer. This does not provide a room for people to consume large quantity of fast food. People have the ability to decide what is right or wrong. Following guidelines provided by health organization is important in stumping problems related to eating habits. It is wise to inquire about the nutrient content of fast food ordered. Many magazines provide information on nutrient content on most food that people eat. Health journals are other important sources of information that one would use to identify the energy need of the body. Regulating the quantity of food that taken helps in avoiding the dangers associated with fast food. Nutritionists argue that not all fast food are bad (Hales & Lauzon 278). The problem lies in the quantity that an individual consumes. Some people do not practice good eating habits leading to consumption of too much food. Nutritionists advise that an individual should observe the quantity of food consumed per meal. The attractiveness of the food should not be the driving factor, whenever an individual is making food choice. Some foods are attractive, but harmful to the body. Good eating habits would protect an individual from consuming unnecessary amount of fast food. People who take fast food should always take the same amount of exercises to burn the accumulated calories in the body. Physical exercise helps in burning calories in the body. Health habits demands that an individual should at least take some exercise in a week to avoid accumulating fats in the body (Hales & Lauzon 256). The sugar content in many fast foods people take is responsible for fat accumulation in the body. Studies reveal that physical exercise improves blood circulation, burns fat, and improves human activeness and other health benefits. Some physical exercises that health practitioners recommend include jogging, running, jumping, and frog matching among others. Human alertness depends on brain operation. Physical exercise improves the brain retention capacity and alertness. On the contrary, fats impair this vital function. That is the reason why health practitioners advise that people should take part in physical exercises. Studies reveal that people who take fast food and go for physical exercise face limited health risk compared to those who do not take any physical exercises. Age factor influence the amount of food that an individual would take. Young people tend to take much food compared to the old. It is important to identify the amount of calories that an individual should consume. Another notable factor that influences consumption of fast food is the kind of job that an individual does. People who do heavy duties need high-energy value. Identification of these factors is essential in making choices about the quantity of food an individual should consume. Social influence often contributes to food choice. The influence may amount to poor eating habits as witnessed among students. Many people who appreciate the function of food in the body usually take measures when ordering food in restaurants. Being foods are meals that are prepared within a short time, fast food usually contain undue amount of fats, which is harmful to the human body. Consumption of fast food may lead to health complications, which includes obesity, brain retardation, overweight, heart failure, respiratory complications among others. Fast food is common in many restaurants and food outlets. It is advisable to observe good eating habits whenever an individual is making food orders in a restaurant. People who consume fast food should take an equal amount of exercises in order to burn the accumulated calories in the body. In conclusion, health-related issues have been on the increase. This paper has evidenced that fast foods could be a factor behind the increase. Important to note, fast food must always be balanced with other nutritious foods to ensure that health problems are minimized to the maximum. Additionally, it is advisable to consult nutritionist for a healthier choice possible. Since many people take fast foods due to the time limit, it is significant to note that there exist cheap, tasty, and readily available healthy foods to replace fast foods. However, if taking fats foods is a prerequisite, it is advisable to minimize the consumption to at most once a week, and instead choose other healthier options. Work Cited Hales, R. Dianne & Lauzon, Lara. An Invitation to Health. Hampshire: Cengage Learning. 2009. 256-300. Print. Watson, Stephanie. Fast Food. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2008. 6-49. Print. Read More