Junk Food and Health Problems - Research Paper Example

Junk Food and Health Problems According to Bittman (660), junk food refers to the fat food that individuals consume. Junk foods are mainly the hyper-processed food and are mainly consumed in the restaurants. In the contemporary world many people rely on junk food as their main food especially in the United States of America (Slusher & Craig 111). This paper explores the reasons that have made people to rely on junk foods and the effects the same. In order to get supportive evidences to this course, various strategies were used. The questionnaires will be conducted especially in the hospitals particularly between the patients and the doctors. The various habits of the patients will be questioned and their doctors would be identifying the diseases. Research will also be done on the various books in the library related to this cause. Junk foods are cheaper than the real food thus explaining the reason their high demand and consequently overweight amongst individuals especially those of lower incomes (Bittman 660). Some researchers such as Slusher and Craig (115) argue that junk food is cheaper when measured in calorie. The poor people have therefore resolved to buying and consuming fast food due to the fact that they need a calorie that is cheap. Statistics from the Agriculture department of America has shown that more than two million Americans in the rural areas receive low income in addition to living far away from the supermarket (Bittman 660). This shows that they do not rely on the supermarket. Many people especially the ones who earn high income do not really consume the junk food because of money or time (Bittman 661). The hyper-processed foods are very convenient and they are habitual as well (Slusher & Craig 113). This has made many people to go for the junk food as an alternative. Surprisingly, in the United States, for every existing supermarket there are five restaurants, which is an is an indication that junk food is in large quantities as compared to non-junk foods sold within the supermarkets. In the recent decades, the inflation price of fresh food has been increased by forty percent while the price of processed food and soda decreased thirty percent (Bittman 661). The conceivable resources mainly go to the encouraging of consuming fast foods in the restaurants. The addiction of people to rely on the junk food is as a result of the hard work of industry (Bittman 662). Over the last five centuries, many companies or organizations have put a lot of effort in order to create the food that was highly stimulating besides having the capacity of going down easily and with a high amount of energy (Elliott 133). The companies made it acceptable socially that people could eat at any place and anytime (Bittman 662). Such behaviors by most companies encouraged the consumption of junk foods that is experienced in the contemporary society. Many people perceive cooking as a tiresome work hence they would rather go for fast food because it is not only cheaper and faster but also provide crutch pleasure (Slusher & Craig 114). Besides, the activities and jobs of various individuals are usually stressful making them not to have the desire and time to cook. Too much consumption of the fast food causes addiction. The neuro-addictive responses are affected making it difficult to trigger the release of dopamine (Bittman 662). Even though the dependence on junk food by many people is increasing at a high rate, this cause has brought many effects. The effects of this cause are mainly health problems. Junk food slows down the rate of metabolism thus leads to gaining of weight by the body (Bittman 662). Junk foods are food containing high levels of Trans fats and calories. The continuous consumption of junk foods leads to fat accumulation in the body (Datar & Nancy 312). Studies have linked the consumption of fast foods with the gain in body weight and an increase in the body mass index (Elliott 134). The continuous consumption of junk foods has led to a high number of people suffering from obesity (Bittman 662). The cause of obesity is mainly connected to the simple math calculation of calories in and calories out. According to the first of energy, anything consumed beyond what the body requires is converted to fat (Datar & Nancy 313). The overconsumption of junk food will therefore lead to more fat being generated in the body thus more calories accumulation (Slusher & Craig 115). According to one of the physicians, a small number of extra calories in the body leads to huge gains in weight (Elliott 134). The junk foods also lead to the development of insulin resistance (Bittman 663). Development of the resistance of the insulin is an early symptom showing the diabetic disorders (Datar & Nancy 315). The gain in weight caused by the consumption of junk food result to other disorders like cardiac problems, increase in the level of cholesterol, artery blockage, high pressure of the blood, loss of muscle mass, depression among others (Datar & Nancy 315). The continuous consumption of junk increased the intake of cholesterol (Elliott 135). The increased level of cholesterol leads to the thickening of arteries and thus causing their blockage (Schreier & Hans-Ulrich 5). Blood flows in the arteries and the blockage of the arteries will obstruct the circulation of blood in the body (Slusher & Craig 117). The obstruction of the blood flow raises the pressure of the blood in the body. The person whose arteries have been blocked can also suffer from heart attack or the cardiac arrest could possibly occur (Datar & Nancy 315). The fast food like fried shrimp and cheeseburgers contain high levels of fat and cholesterol and this lead to plaque buildup in the arteries (Datar & Nancy 317). The condition is called arteriosclerosis that affects the function of the heart and produces blood clots which are dangerous. Arteriosclerosis can also cause strokes and heart attacks. The reduced flow of blood may lead to gangrene that require amputations. Death risks are increased by the development of arteriosclerosis to coronary artery (Slusher & Craig 118). The consumption of some junk food can also lead to increase in the circulation of blood (Datar & Nancy 318). These are mainly the meats which are used in junk food including the artificial sweeteners, nitrates and monosodium glutamate for their contents are responsible for increasing the circulation of blood and causing migraines (Elliott 137). The increased flow of blood can cause a hangover feeling and headache (Schreier & Hans-Ulrich 5). The processed foods used in junk food contain Trans fat. Trans fat increases the level of bad cholesterol and reduces the cholesterol which is good (Datar & Nancy 318). In comparison to other foods, processed meat at times does have 45% or more of excess Trans fat. For good mental health, foliates, antioxidants and omega-3 oils are required. Junk food does not contain these requirements leading to poor mental health (Slusher & Craig 119). In contrast, junk food contains preservatives, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers and stabilizers which affect the mental health. A large amount of sodium contained in junk food can lead to high blood pressure or hypertension (Datar & Nancy 318). Even though the body requires sodium, it is only required in small amounts (Elliott 137). Therefore, the excess intake of sodium in the body could lead to the fluids of individuals who suffer from liver cirrhosis and kidney disorders building up (Datar & Nancy 318). Another health problem caused by junk food is a sexual dysfunction (Elliott 137). Sexual dysfunction is mainly caused by the fatty acids that are present in junk food. The fatty acids found in junk food do not only lead to gain of weight but it also causes the biochemistry of the body to change (Elliott 137). The changes of the biochemistry of the body affect the ovulation in females, libido and the sperm count. The wrappers used in packaging of junk food are mainly coated with perfluoroalkyls (Datar & Nancy 318). Perfluoroalkyls are mainly used to prevent the greasiness of the food from the absorption. Several health problems are caused when the grease used enters the body. Some health problems caused by the use of junk food also result from the contamination (Elliott 138). Salmonella and Escherichia Coli always contaminate the processed meat. The hamburgers that are not cooked well always cause a health problem (Datar & Nancy 320). The consumption of junk food causes health problem associated with tooth decay (Datar & Nancy 322). The extreme use of junk food, sweetened juices and soft drinks especially among the children cause decay of the tooth. This due to the fact that the children are using food with low quality sugar, fat and high salt amount. Consumption of fast foods causes health problem of addiction and incessant craving (Datar & Nancy 323). The blood sugar can rise and then suddenly crash due to the high levels of fat and sugar. When this situation happens, the consumers of fast food will feel a rush of euphoria suddenly and this makes them rely on the insulin surges euphoric charges. Depression is also a health problem that is caused by taking the fast foods (Datar & Nancy 327). The regular consumption of fast food has been linked with this emotional condition. A study was done in the University College of London to show the connection of fast food with health problem of depression (Elliott 138). The results of the study showed that the number of people indulging regularly in fast foods was 58% more likely to suffer from depression (Datar & Nancy 327). The health problems caused by this claim leads to loss of lives (Bittman 663). Suggestions are therefore identified that will help reduce the consumption of junk food this reducing the loss of lives (Elliott 139). Public sensitization on the harmful effects of junk food should be done. By educating the public about the bad effects of junk food they will be aware of them hence reducing their usage (Slusher & Craig 119). The government should set various laws that that restrict the number of restaurants selling fast foods (Datar & Nancy 335). A program should be created for in building fresh outlets in the areas that are underserved. This will enable the whole nation to get served with the fresh food reducing the reliance on the fast food (Slusher & Craig 111). Limitations on the marketing of the junk food should be done by forcing the makers to pay a huge cost of production. Those making junk foods should be aware that advertising the junk food is a manipulation of the addictive substance. This argument however has some objections. It does not necessarily mean that the consumption of junk food causes health problems. Junk food will however lead to health problems if they are they are over consumed (Bittman 664). Banning of junk food will not solve the health problems completely. If the making and selling of junk food are banned, it will bring financial complications. The restaurants provide a source of employment to the public who earn a living. This will therefore lead to unemployment and loss of government revenue (Slusher & Craig 120). Restrictions should therefore be made on the usage of junk food (Bittman 664). In conclusion, this argument mainly focuses on the need for solving the issue because it is at stake. The dependence on junk food has led to many health problems which cause a high increase in the number of deaths. The targeted group of this argument is the general public that will be interested in to know the effects of junk food. It is therefore advisable that people should be more concerned with what they consume. Work Cited Bittman, Mark. "Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?." New York Times, (2011). Datar, Ashlesha, and Nancy, Nicosia. "Junk Food in Schools and Childhood Obesity." Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 31.2 (2012): 312-337. Elliott, Charlene. "“It's junk food and chicken nuggets”: Children's perspectives on ‘kids' food’and the question of food classification." Journal of Consumer Behaviour 10.3 (2011): 133-140. Schreier, Peter., and Hans-Ulrich, Humpf. "Harmful effects of junk foods-But what about canteen and restaurant food?." Molecular nutrition & food research 55.1 (2011): 5-6. Slusher, Morgan and Craig, Anderson. 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