Disadvantages of Fast Foods - Research Paper Example

Disadvantages of fast foods Over the recent past, the composition of what we consume has greatly been influencedby our daily activities. In the contemporary world, everyone is busy trying to accomplish one objective after another. Due to the busy schedule therefore, people do not have the time to prepare meals at their homes. This is one of the reasons why most of them prefer to buy fast foods. Fast foods are easily packaged and therefore an individual can eat at the office or at home. This habit has had consequences or negative impacts on health, finances, and also on the environment. This paper focuses on the disadvantages of fast foods. Regular consumption of fast foods is directly linked with increased prevalence of obesity especially among children. According to Hu, "Increased consumption of fast foods is widely believed to be a major contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. Habitual intake of fast foods-with their large portions, high palatability, and high sugar and trans fat content-may lead to excess energy intake" (289). Habitual consumption of fast foods is also linked with instances of insulin resistance in the body. Hu outlines a study conducted in the past in the Cardia whose main objective was to explore the relationship linking regular consumption of fast foods and body transformation in terms of weight as well as insulin resistance. The results to this investigation posited a strong correlation between increased body weight and regularity to fast food consumption (289). Regular consumers of fast foods were proved to have increased body weight and elevated levels of insulin resistance. In essence fast foods have been proved to contain high levels of calories. This means that even a small portion of fast food contains high levels of energy and fat. This is what leads to increased body weight hence obesity. It is also worth noting that regular consumption of fast foods is linked with increased risk of heart attack. Heart attack is mostly caused by obstruction in blood vessels that may eventually lead to a blood clot in these vessels hence obstructing the flow of blood into the heart. The elevated risk of heart attack is directly correlated with high levels of cholesterol as well as hypertension. Obstruction in the blood vessels is one of the causes of hypertension. Therefore fast foods such as "hamburgers, hot dogs, and French fries can contribute to heart disease" (Smith 338). Results from a methodical investigation conducted by the University of Missouri focusing on heart attack survivors showed that a good number of them were habitual consumers of fast foods prior to the attack. Out of the two thousand four hundred and eighty one people investigated, eight hundred and eighty four responded positively of being habitual fast food consumers. This clearly shows that habitual consumption of fast foods is definitely a risk factor to heart attack. Fast food consumption is also a risk factor to type 2 diabetes. Individuals who are regular or habitual consumers of fast foods have abnormal body weights and hence their bodies manufacture increased quantities of insulin. In the long run, this leads to resistance of body cell to insulin hence development of type 2 diabetes. Wolin and Petrelli posits that fast food consumption elevates the risk of type 2 diabetes through causing increased body weight and obesity (49). There are also other diseases caused by the habitual consumption of fast foods. Fast foods have high levels of trans fats and sugars and overconsumption overworks the liver. Regular consumption therefore is a risk factor to liver damage (Wolin and Petrelli 46). Acquiring the habit of consuming fast foods denies the body certain essential nutrients such as vitamins. Fast foods contain high levels of sugars and fat. It is important for people to consume a healthy and balanced diet in order to maintain their health within the normal ranges. According to Watson, regular or habitual consumption of fast foods denies the body the chance of benefiting from vitamins and other important mineral. A human being has his or her own daily requirements of each and every nutrient. Therefore, denying the body essential nutrients will contribute or lead to other health problems (32). Other than the above negative health effects, the sugary nature of some of the fast food products especially soft drink may lead to tooth decay. Healthy and adequate food consumption patterns comprise of consuming food at specific times of the day. This is especially important for children as this helps them develop and distinguish hunger signals. Specific times of food consumption are categorised in terms of breakfast in the morning, lunch at the middle of the day, and dinner in the evening. A snack between the meals is also important at specific times. For instance 10 oclock tea. Consuming fast food leads to uneven periods or instants in which foods ought to be consumed. This is attributed to the fact that fast foods can be eaten at any time of the day and at any place as they are readily available (Stern and Kazaks 114). Foods prepared at home gives people an opportunity to rest and have quality family time at the dinner table. In my opinion, people who regularly consume fast foods are likely to be full by the time they reach home hence have no time for dinner. This means that these individuals may lack time to share their problems with family and as well share their experiences particularly among teenagers. It is also important to elucidate the fact that fast food do not allow people to have time to rest since they can even be consumed as people work, and as they walk. Failure to allow the body to rest may lead to serious health problems and fatigue. Food is one of the aspects that define culture. Various communities have their own foods prepared in distinct ways. It is the duty of each and every member of the community to maintain his or cultural values as they have historical implications. Due to the changing dynamics in the world today, many people today prefer to purchase fast foods as opposed to preparing foods at home. One of the factors that has contributed to this behaviour is the fact that most people are very tired in the evening, and also modern families prefer to have one or two children. There is a misconception that buying foods from outside is cheaper for small families as compared to preparing meals at home. This behaviour may contribute to erosion of cultural values in relation to food (Kittler, Sucher and Nelms 15). Traditionally, the role of women was to stay at home, cook, and take care of the children as the husbands were out working to provide for their families. Some women today are not interested in learning how to cook as they can easily buy ready food from fast food outlets. This shows that fast foods contribute to laziness. The disadvantages of fast foods are also seen in their impacts or consequences on the environment. Majority of fast food outlets pack fast foods in non-recyclable materials and these are major pollutants in our environment. In major towns, a huge percentage of litter on the streets comprise of fast food wastes. For example, an individual may not be able to finish his or her meal and therefore throw it away in the middle of the street. These wastes may also be washed away by rain water and drained into major rivers and lakes which are the main sources of drinking water. In addition, some of these wastes may be washed into oceans and other water bodies such as pods and hence put the lives of aquatic animals and other living thing at risk. Accumulation of such wastes in residential places may be a health hazard (California against waste). According to Spaargaren, Mol and Buttel, the speedy expansion of fast food businesses have put pressure on farming as farmers try to increase their production in order to meet the high demand of chicken, potatoes, and other food stuffs that comprise of fast foods. Therefore, scientists developed new crop varieties and animal breeds that are referred to as genetically modified organisms. Introduction of these organisms have forced farmers to divert for the conventional farming techniques to contemporary farming techniques. Conventionally, farmers employed the use of natural manures as compared to contemporary farming methods characterised by increased use of chemical and fertilisers. Some of these chemicals find their way into the human food hence causing serious health problems (272). It is also worth mentioning that the chemicals lead to other damages to the environment. For instance, they may find their way into water sources or bodies and risk the lives of aquatic animals. Consumption is also linked to psychological problems especially among the youths. In the modern world, the media and the society in general influences practically all aspects of teenagers lives. There is what is termed as an ideal body and shape by the society. Individuals with lean bodies are considered ideal as compared to obese or overweight individuals. Regular consumption of fast foods leads to increased weight and hence the individual moves away what is considered ideal in terms of weight and shape. The fact that thin people are idolised in many societies while obese or overweight individuals are discriminated especially when it comes to the job market has negative implications on obese individuals. As a result of such discrimination, overweight or obese individuals may have low self-esteem and may feel hopeless (Smolin and Grosvenor 47). As posited by Smolin and Grosvenor, "Obese individuals may experience discrimination in college admissions, in the workplace, and even on public transport. The physical health consequences of excess body fat may not manifest themselves as disease for years, but the psychological and social problems are experienced every day" (47). Conclusion Consumption of fast foods has been on the increase over the recent past as a result of the changing dynamics of the society. Many people today prefer buying foods from outside as compared to preparing their own meals at home. Consumption of fast foods has very many disadvantages. Regular consumption of these foods increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. This is attributed to the fact that these foods are very rich in trans fat and sugar. This means that there are very high in calories hence leads to an increase in body weight. The fact that fast foods can lead to heart attack, obesity, type 2 diabetes and liver disease is supported by results from past methodical investigations. Other than these medical conditions, consumption of sugary food stuffs that are characteristic of fast foods contributes to tooth decay. Other disadvantages or negative impacts of fast food consumption include the fact that that they deny the body the opportunity to benefit from other essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Fast foods can also be eaten at any time and in any place hence many habitual consumers of these foods are full by the time they reach their houses. Many families are able to connect and share their problems and offer advice to other family members at the dinner table. Therefore, fast foods may deny people a chance to connect with family as they may not take supper. The high demand of chicken, potatoes, and other food stuff comprising of fast foods has forced farmers to do away to adapt contemporary farming methods characterised by genetically modified organism and high chemical use. These chemicals may find their way into water bodies and kill aquatic animals. Fast foods are also one of the highest constituents of litter in major cities. Accumulation of fast food wastes in residential areas may be a health hazard to human beings and other animals. There are also psychological and social problems associated with fast foods such as discrimination as a result of overweight or obesity. Works cited California Against Waste. "Fast Food Waste Threatens our Marine Environment, Drags Down Diversion Rates." California against waste. 2013. Web. 21 March. 2014. < http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/fast_food> Hu, Frank. Obesity Epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. Kittler, Pamela, Sucher Kathryn and Nelms Marcia. Food and Culture. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2011. Print. Smith, Andrew. Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopaedia of What We Love to Eat, Volume 1. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2012. Print. Smolin, Lori and Grosvenor Mary. Nutrition and Weight Management. New York: Infobase, 2010. Print. Spaargaren, Gert, Mol Arthur and Buttel Frederick, eds. Governing Environmental Flows: Global Challenges to Social Theory. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2006. Print. Stern, Judith and Kazaks Alexandra. Obesity: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara: ABC- CLIO, 2009. Print. Watson, Stephanie. Fast Food. New York: Rosen Publishing, 2008. Print. Wolin, Kathleen and Petrelli Jennifer. Obesity. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2009. Print. Read More