Effects of Fast Food on Obesity - Case Study Example

Effects of Fast Food on Obesity Yifei Dong ENGL 110 Caplan 11/18 In the world today, the various eating patterns trending have led to extreme influxes in body weight and health conditions. Among the various adverse effects posed by eating habits and other influencing factors such as genetic and environmental factors is the pertinent issue of obesity. There have been many lay definitions of obesity and some have even termed it as an epidemic and a societal menace. Obesity is a medical situation in an individual that arises when excessive body fat is accumulated in a person’s body to such an extent that it starts to have detrimental effects on the health status of the affected people such as a reduced life expectancy and a possible worsening of other medical problems (Pereira et.al 2005). Scientifically, a person is considered to be obese when their body mass index (BMI) which is the calculation of the body mass for every unit of squared height is above 30kg/m2. Specifically, studies and research conducted have shown that obesity increases the chances of diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, and osteoarthritis and can sometimes lead to other types of cancer. As pertains to the serious and recurrent question as to what causes obesity, there has not been a specific answer. Obesity in individuals is as a result of a combination of factors which directly lead to or facilitate the intensity of the condition. The major factors attributed to the cause of diabetes include diet, genetics, social factors, lifestyle and medical illnesses. However the recent spurts in the rates of individuals developing the condition have been specifically attributed to the combination of high food intake and little to no physical activity of any kind. The cases that result out of the other factors such as medical illnesses and genetics are considered to be minimal. The purpose of this paper is thus to assess the effects of dietary measures on obesity caused by fast food compared to other attributed factors that result to obesity. Various theories have been postulated that suggest that the dramatic increase in obesity is due to a number of factors. While genetic and other influences have played a major role in trying to explain and understand obesity, they have not been able to explain the current sporadic increase in the number of obese individuals within the particular countries or on a global scale (Chopra, Galbraith & Darnton-Hill, 2002). Although it has generally been accepted that excessive food consumption has led to obesity on an individual level, the reason for changes on these two factors on a societal and global scale has been subject to much debate. For example studies have shown that the correlation between the body mass index and social class varies globally. Reviews have shown that in the more developed countries, women of a high class have a lower likelihood of being obese as compared to those of a lower class but no significant differences were observed in men among different social classes (Brindal, 2010). The common trail of thought is that in the more developed countries, those with high incomes can afford more nutritious food and are considered to be under pressure to remain slim and to maintain body fitness. On the contrary, in the underdeveloped countries, the inability to afford high quality and nutritious food coupled with the culture that favour large body sizes are more prevalent (Brindal, 2010). It is hence true to say that in the developed countries, the obesity levels have a positive correlation with the level of income. No matter the number of theories and explanations that have been given as to the main cause of obesity, there has been a constant factor in almost every theory, the diet factor. Poor diet can be safely said to have the leading influence on the rising rates of obesity globally (Rosenheck, 2007). In particular, the continuous rise in the number of individuals shifting from the traditional diets to the consumption of fast food has contributed greatly to individual obesity. Fast foods have been observed to become a defining symbol of the modern times (Rosenheck, 2007). There has been a lot of ambiguity in the definition of fast food in the current research, fast food are believed to be a specific type of food which is energy dense. Since many individuals may have different opinions of fast food, it was important to find a clear definition of it in order to make a clear line between what can actually be termed as fast food and what is merely convenience food. The distinction is important since there is a wide range of foods that can be referred to as convenience foods. In this respect, fast food would be deemed to fit within the convenience foods but it only remains as a sub-category to the group. For example, basing on the type of service that one receives at a typical fast food restaurant, one can easily differentiate fast food from other convenience foods. A good example would be meals such as the Asian cuisines that many average consumers would not consider as fast food but in essence matches the definition of fast foods. It would hence be prudent to provide the clearest definition of fast food tied to a “big brand” such as KFC, McDonalds, Domino’s pizza and the likes. In light of this, the foods which identify to the definition of fast food can hence be attributed to contain high fat and energy densities which are key factors in the increase of body mass. As life’s pace has been increasing and people tend to be busy and occupied for the greater part of the day, the hunger for fast and convenient take away meals have also increased. Following the radical increases in the number of obese cases, a greater majority of individuals have suddenly found the need to look at the impact that fast foods may have on obesity (Brindal, 2010). Despite the findings on the impact of fast food on obesity, there have been conflicting interests and opinions as pertains to the matter. There are two main groups of people among whom controversy on the obesity topic arises. A greater majority of researchers are inclined to the idea that fast food has played a major role in the obesity spurts in the recent past but controversy has arisen regarding the weighty matter. Two major groups of people have disputed on fast food being the key role in the increase in global obesity rates. The first group of people are those who believe that fast foods have done more harm than good to the society and that the content in the convenient takeaways have sufficiently substantiated the rise in obesity while the opposing group are of the general opinion that even though fast food may have an effect on obesity as is diet in general, there is no sufficient proof that the current increase in the fast food frenzy has major impact on the likelihood of obesity in individuals. As pertains to fast food playing a key role in the current obesity trends, the supporters of this postulation have come up with somewhat tangible evidence to support their claims. In the USA for example, according to a report provided by the World Health Organisation less than 40% of the meals consumed in the country are homemade and that a huge amount of people among the 40% had never cooked a meal from the very basic ingredient (Chopra, Galbraith & Darnton-Hill, 2002). The effect of not being able to make proper homemade meals is what has led to many people turning to cheap convenient fast food. The country has grown its fast food industry to approximately 170 000 fast food restaurants and approximately three million vending machines (currie et al 2010). This hence means that the consumption of fast foods has increased dramatically and hence having adverse effects on the recommended diets. These radical dietary transitions can be attributed to the high and increasing rates in the country. It is impossible to deny the extent to which fast foods are becoming readily available globally. Fast food chains have continued to increased and have been placed at close proximity to the consumers. However, despite the number of fast food restaurants being set up, it is impossible to tell with certainty the number of people who actually consume fast food (Currie et al. 2010). Research conducted has however shown that the general description of someone who eats fast food to be that of an individual who is short of knowledge of its detrimental effects or self-control and is driven to participation by economic factors. This description shows major similarity to that possessed and associated with obese people. Further studies on obesity have shown that the number of obesity among teenagers and children is rising much faster as compared to that in adults (Chou & Grossman, 2005). To account for this, the findings on research conducted on fast food that show that in the world over, the highest consumers of fast food are children since they are attracted more to fast food restaurants (Bowman et al. 2004). On the other extreme, findings have shown that white women are least consumers of fast food. These findings can therefore be used to create a positive relation between the consumption of fast foods and the rates of obesity. In order to provide further insight on the effects of fast food on obesity, studies have been conducted in order to analyse the macronutrient (essential elements required in relatively large amounts by the body) profile of the fast foods consumed. Even though the current trends in fast food chains have given the consumers the impression that they have shifted their menus or added a variety of ‘healthy’ products on them, the results of the research have shown that the composition in terms of nutrients of the foods served for convenience is still unhealthy (Currie et al. 2010). Results of the findings have shown that fast food has a high fat percentage and hence making it really energy dense (Rosenheck, 2007). With respect to this, the research posits that foods high in energy density create a phenomenon of passive overconsumption which is a situation that shows that the human body is flawed at recognition of energy dense food intake and hence does not provide a mechanism to compensate for the high energy intake (Ebbeling et al. 2004). In line this perspective, fast food can be attributed to cause overconsumption which would in return lead to obesity in the long run. Further, most fast foods are served accompanied with carbonated drinks such as sodas. These drinks have high sugar content per serving and could also lead to the potential obese nature. As much as there has been wide support of the theory of fast food on obesity, there has been a side that tends to think otherwise on the fast food issue. Even though they may be a minority as compared to those in support of the negative effects of eating habits and fast food on body weight, they do provide their own theories. Conflict of opinion arises on the fact that they do not agree with the theory that an increase in fast food consumption is responsible for the radical increase in the rate of obesity in the society. This argument is based on researches conducted in the native areas of countries where consumption of fast food is less prevalent as compared to the metropolitan cities (Currie et al. 2010). The findings depicted that, on average, the body mass index of people who are living in the rural areas of the countries generally have a high body mass index in comparison to those living in the cities with access to a myriad of fast food restaurant where they can get their meals. In addition, arguments have also been made to discredit the assumptions that have been used in the creation of a positive relation between intake of fast food and obesity. For example, suggestions have been made that it cannot be told with certainty, the number of people who are obese and would attribute their condition on the mere consumption of fast food diet. Moreover other arguments posits eating habits and the reaction of peoples bodies to certain foods are different on a personal level (Pereira et al. 2010). This is based on those situations where particular individual may engage in high consumption of fast foods for long time periods but do not gain weight excessively or become obese in the long run while on the contrary there are other individuals who eat healthy but are still yet overweight and even tending to obesity. In addition, references have also been made regarding the ability that fast food can be eaten in a non-detrimental fashion by people partaking in them. Thus, this should remove the total blame and attitude that is generally existent about fast food being a major cause of obesity. It suggests that people should be more objective and also pay attention to other factors such as social influence and genetic factors which may be the main contributors of obesity in the society today. In my opinion, obesity results from the actions of a combination of a variety of factors. However, the recent increase in the obesity rates among children, teenagers and adults can be greatly be attributed by the continued consumption of fast foods over the traditional healthy and balanced diet. As evidenced by the arguments that have been put forth by those in favour of the fact that consumption of fast food and obesity has a positive correlation, it is proof beyond reasonable doubt that the argument is true. Further, the rise in the number of children who are consuming a lot of fast food and hence are at risk of becoming obese can be attributed to external factors that lead them to the consumption of fast foods over proper healthy meals (Davis & Carpenter, 2009). In understanding the factors that influence the choice of dietary habit, particularly that of fast foods, one can hence see a clear picture of the relationship between social influence that lead to consumption of fast food and hence worth, the relation with obesity (Brindal, 2010). Current trends and research have shown that there has been an increase in the number of advertisements being made regarding fast food restaurant and the meals offered and targeting children. The catchy theme in most of those advertisements draw children in and hence creating the need in them to actually try out the meals offered (Chou, Rashad & Grossman, 2005). By default, once the children have been drawn into the system, their parents would also be drawn in as they will take their children to have meals that they want and thus participate in them and increasing their chances of developing a habit and being at more risk of being obese (Schwartz & Puhl, 2002). In addition, research also show that fast food restaurants are located in close proximity to the consumers. Particularly for the cases of increase in obesity levels in school children and young adults over a general age range of 9-19 years, it has been observed that most fast food chains are close to the learning institutions and the relatively cheap meals offered have given the children access to the energy dense foods that will likely lead to obesity in the long run (Davis & Carpenter, 2009). It has also been further proven that the macronutrients in the variety of fast food offered has detrimental effects on body mass. The high fat and carbohydrate composition in the common ‘traditional’ fast foods involving French fries and a burger have been majorly responsible for weight gain in the consumers and ultimately obesity (Pereira et al. 2005). Fats are high density nutrients and hence may lead to overconsumption as the body cannot adapt to the high levels of energy intake and the carbohydrates are metabolised rather slowly during digestion and are eventually stored as fat deposits in the body. An accumulation of this would be a probable cause for obesity in the long run (Rosenheck, 2007). In conclusion, there can be said to be a strong positive correlation between the intake of fast foods and the current upward spurts in the rates of obesity globally. In light of this the number of children and adults developing the condition will continue to rise as long as people continue shifting their dietary habits towards that of fast foods (Bowman et al. 2004). It can therefore be safely concluded that even though fast food have more convenience, they have done more harm than good to the society health wise. In order to curb and reduce the rates of obesity, people should straighten their eating habits and stick to healthy diets and also participate in physical activities to burn fat in their bodies. All these should be implemented from childhood where the problem has been seen to take root (Bowman et al. 2004). Parents should take responsibility of their children’s eating habits and encourage healthy meals right from when they are young so that they can grow up in line with good dietary habits. References Bowman, S., Gortmaker, S., Ebbeling, C., Pereira, M., & Ludwig, D. (2004). “Effects of fast food consumtion on energy intake and diet quality among children in a national household survey” Pediatrics 112-117. Brindal, E. (2010). Exploring fast food consumption behaviours and social influence. (Unpublished Dissertation). Adelaide, Australia: University of Adelaide. Chopra, M., Galbraith, S. &Darnton-Hill, I. (2002). A global response to a global problem: The epidemic of over-nutrition. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 80(12): 952-958. Chou, S.-Y., Rashad, I. & Grossman, M. (2005). Fast food restaurant advertising on television and its influence on childhood obesity (NBER Working Paper Number 11879). Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research. Currie, J., Vigna, S.D., Moretti, E. & Pathania, V. (2010). The effect of fast food restaurants on obesity and weight gain. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy,2, 32-63. Davis, B. & Capenter, C. (2009). Proximity of fast food advertising to schools and adolescent obesity.American Journal of Public Health,99(3),. 505-510. Ebbeling, C., Sinclair, K., Pereira. M, Grcia-lago, E., Ludwig, D., & Feldman, H. (2004). “Compensation for energy intake from fast food among overweight and lean adolescents” JAMA 291 (23): 2828-2833. Pereira, M., Kartashov, A., Ebbeling, C., Horn, L., Slattery, M., Jacobs, D. & Ludwig, D. (2005). Fast food habits, weight gain, and insulin resistance (the CARDIA study): 15 year prospective analysis. The Lancet 365 (9453): 36-42. Rosenheck, R. (2007). “Fast food intake and increased caloric intake: a systematic review of a trajectory towards weight gain and obesity risk” Obesity reviews (2008): 467-789. Schwartz, M. & Puhl, R. (2002). “Childhood Obesity: a societal problem to solve” Obesity reviews, (2003) 4: 57-71. Read More