American Children Addicted to Fast Food - Essay Example

American Children Addicted to Fast Food Our society has become very fast paced which has influenced the eating habits of American families. In the past families would enjoy dinner setting together at the dining table. Due to the fact that most households have both parents working eating a healthy meal at home has become a rare practice. The benefactor of these changes in eating trends has been the fast food industry. In the United States there are over 50,000 fast food establishments (Manta).

These fast food restaurants are causing obesity problems among our youth. There are many children in America that are addicted to fast foods. “Scientists claim that hamburgers and french fries can be as addicted as heroin” (Dal). It has become painfully obvious that these fast food restaurants are one of the primary reasons there is a large obesity problem among children in the United States. Approximately 15% of American children are overweight (Craig). One of the reasons why American children are addicted to fast foods is because of the culture of the United States.

The fast food industry is so ingrained in our society that most schools instead of selling healthy meals in their cafeteria they prefer to sell junk food instead. The lower prices of fast food attract a lot of customers. Parents are the ones at fault for this epidemic. A lot parents prefer to go out to McDonalds to eat because it is cheap and convenient. The children love to eat at fast foods. The parents are getting their kids hooked on fast food. In other parts of the world such as in Japan children do not have the same problem with fast food addiction as American children.

The Japanese marketplace is not saturated with fast food restaurants. Japanese believe in the value of a good nutrition. In Japan only 8% of children are considered overweigh which is 7% less than in the United States of America (Articlesbase). Japanese culture still believes in the value of eating dinner together with the family. The typical Japanese diet is composed of rice, fresh vegetables, seafood, fruit, and small portions of meat (CultureGrams). Meals are eaten using chopsticks. The children of Japan are taught by their parents that nutrition is important.

In the United States our children have been corrupted into thinking that fast food is a great meal when in reality fast foods are composed of lots of grease and saturated fats. The fast food industry generates billions of dollars each year from the sale of junk food. Due to the low prices of these meals children have become a prime target for the fast food industry. Eating at a fast food is convenient and inexpensive, but the quality of the food in terms of nutritional value is weak. Children are susceptible to becoming addicted to fast foods.

It is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children the importance of eating healthy. America has to place a greater sense of urgency in terms of the food we give our children. Children that face obesity problems are more likely to suffer from health problems than kids that are in shape. The adults in America have to set boundaries to reduce the consumption of fast foods by the children. Work Cited PageArticlesbase.com. 24 February 2007. “Japan and Obesity.” 27 March 2011. Craig, W. 2010. “Child Obesity in America.

” 27 March 2011. < http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/updates/child_obesity.php> CultureGrams. 2011. “Japan.” 27 March 2011. Dal, D. 2011. “4 Signs of Fast Food Addiction, Are Your Kids Addicted Too?” 27 March 2011. Manta.com. 2011 “Restaurants” 27 March 2011.