Impact of Fast Foods on Obesity - Case Study Example

Impact of fast foods on obesity Name Tutor Executive summary The report is an evaluation of the impacts of fast food on individual health in particular obesity. It discusses the health implications of obesity in Australia and other countries due to consumption of fast foods. The roles of the government, industries and NGOs in the fight against obesity are also discussed. Further, the report highlights the consequences of obesity, its cost to the society and the possible recommendations that can help reduce the level of obesity in the society. Table of Contents Executive summary 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 The Origin of Fast Food 5 The Link between Fast Food and Obesity 6 Consequences of Obesity 7 Diseases Caused by Obesity 8 The Role of Government and Fast Food Industries in Controlling Obesity 8 The Cost of Obesity 9 Recommendations 10 Conclusion 11 References 11 Introduction Increased consumption of fast foods in the modern world can be attributed to a change in lifestyles. People have busy working schedules and at times, they have to balance the tight work schedule with schoolwork. The role of women in the households has changed since they have to go to work just like their male counterparts, and therefore they do not get enough time to prepare meals at home. The need to balance the limited period with numerous tasks makes people resort to fast food since it is more convenient than preparing a healthy meal at home. The food is served quickly, making it efficient and time saving since most people are always in a hurry to meet strict work schedules or go to school, thus do not have time to wait for a healthy meal to be prepared. Further, the restaurants that sell the fast foods are located in areas that are close to workplaces or learning institutions, where the majority of customers are located. Fast foods are tasty, and the prices are relatively fair making it affordable to many. However, due to the high fat component of the diet, many people gain weight and become obese after the consumption. Obesity leads to various health complications such as hypertension thus making the society less productive. Individuals with obesity face discrimination, and they are not able to relate well with their peers, a fact that further leads to depression and anxiety. This affects their productivity both in school and at the workplaces. The consumption of fast food affects not only the health and productivity of the society but their social ties are negatively affected. This report evaluates the adverse effects of fast food consumption, in particular the cause of obesity. Statistics from Australia and other European countries are also evaluated to show the impact of fast food on obesity. The Origin of Fast Food Fast foods became popular in Australia after the Second World War mainly the American fast foods since its army and navy personnel were stationed there. The army and navy personnel used to take hamburgers mostly due to their tight work schedules but this trend continued even after they left Australia. Fast foods sector is known to be the fastest growing sector of food retailing in Australia. Some of the earliest fast food restaurants in Australia included Kellogg, an American company that has been in operation in the region since 1924 (Currie et.al, 2010). The company introduced a variety of foods, such as corn flakes. In addition, it was able to widen its operations since the raw materials were readily available in Australia. In the early 1960s, more American fast food companies, such as KFC began to establish outlets in Australia, offering a variety of fast foods, such as burgers. They also offered twisters and krushers (Bagchi, 2011). Due to the high demand for the fast foods in Australia, the companies continued to open up more outlets in Australia and New Zealand with more than six hundred outlets by the year 2011. Other fast foods companies like Burger King and McDonald’s entered the Australian market in early 1970s. In 1993, the McDonald’s introduced a separate area within the restaurant called the McCafe that had its own counters selling cappuccinos, premium coffee, pastries and mocha frappes. The McCafe became very popular making the McDonald’s able to establish more than eight hundred outlets in Australia by 2011. Domino’s had its first Australian pizza parlor outlet opened in 1983 and grew rapidly as it acquired other pizza restaurants to become the largest pizza chain in the region. In the mid-1990s, various fast food multinational companies began introducing special packages, such as an upgrade of meal at an increased price and family discounts. Majority of the fast foods restaurants were located in the urban areas in places such as shopping malls but there has been a recent trend of the restaurants opening up outlets in schools, transit centers, petrol stations, and hospitals. The introduction of fast foods in Australia encouraged a lifestyle change where many people changed the way they spend their leisure time. The fast foods restaurants have become very popular since they provide recreation and entertainment facilities, such as safe play areas for children The Link between Fast Food and Obesity There has been an increase in the rates of obesity especially in the developed world making it one of the biggest problems in health. Studies have shown that the increase in the number of people with obesity can be attributed to high intake of calories, coupled with lack of physical exercise. The imbalance of energy taken in through the foods and the amount of energy spent in metabolism leads to obesity. Fast foods are rich in saturated fats, calories, sugar, simple carbohydrates, and sodium. One meal of fast food can contain upto 1500 calories. The foods are associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and weight gain. Fast foods have more effect on children and youth, than on adults. Fast foods are known to have high calories level and low nutrient level leading to health risks. Consequences of Obesity Obesity can be defined as a condition that one develops due to excess adipose tissue, mainly due to poor diet and reduced physical activities. Obesity has physical, psychological and social effects. From a physical perspective, obese people have high chances of developing conditions, such as heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, liver disease and fertility problems. Similarly, being obese exerts pressure on body joints and limbs, making movements very painful. In addition, women who develop obesity have higher chances of having complication during pregnancy than those with an average weight. The psychological effects of obesity include low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. People who have obesity feel less attractive, and they often lead lonely lives by delineating themselves from their peers. Sometimes they experience discrimination in places of work, and other social places due to the society’s negative perception of obese people. Further, children, who are obese are said to have poor academic performance, thus leading to social exclusion in schools. Lastly, the social effects of obesity include discrimination, lower educational attainment, fewer friends and fewer chances of getting good employment. In today's society, it is impossible to secure a good job if one does not excel academically. This is the primary reason obese people find it hard to get good employment opportunities since majority of them have poor academic certificates. Diseases Caused by Obesity A diet that is heavy in calories increases one’s chances of suffering from conditions such as heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. Consuming fast foods once, a week, which results to obesity, increases the risk of suffering from coronary heart disease by 20% as compared to people who avoid consuming fast foods, or are not obese. The risk increases to 80% for individuals who consume fast foods more than four times a week (Schlosser and Adamson, 2001). About 27% of people who consume fast foods, more than twice a week risks developing type 2 diabetes (Currie et.al, 2010). Obesity causes many other conditions, such as infertility problems. Researchers have positively linked fast foods consumption with obesity since majority of obese people mainly eat junk foods (Stockley, 2010). The Role of Government and Fast Food Industries in Controlling Obesity Though obesity has very adverse effects on the social and economic development in the society, it can be controlled in order to have a more productive society. The fight against obesity can only be effective with various organizations playing part, through creating awareness about health impacts of fast foods. The players include the non- governmental organizations, the governments, and industries. The organizations need to agree on the steps to be taken to better the health situation related to obesity in the country. The government has a responsibility of setting aside funds for research on the relationship of fast foods and obesity, and taking appropriate measures that encourage healthy eating. Individuals should be educated on the impact of fast food, and other possible causes of obesity. This could effectively be done through creation of public awareness through mediums, such as advertisements and campaigns that encourage healthy eating habits (Miguel-Yanes et. el, 2011). Further, the law making bodies in the government should ensure that there are regulations that require fast foods industries to avail the health information about the foods they manufacture to the consumers. In addition, there should be a regulation that makes healthy foods prices fairer so that even the poor can afford them. There should be enough healthy food restaurants in public places, thus making it convenient for people to access them. The service of the healthier food restaurants should be improved or quickened by using vendor machines. Town planning and general buildings should be built in such a way that they encourage exercises. The city plans should include footpaths and bicycle paths to encourage exercise. The industries that manufacture or sell fast foods should include health information in their packages, pointing out the ingredients of the food so that consumers can make informed decisions. In situations where the consumers are aware of the adverse effects of fast foods on their health, it is possible for them to reduce or quit consuming the foods, thus leading to a healthier, happier and more productive society. Fast food restaurants, takeaway shops, and food halls should also include such information. In addition, industries should introduce incentive schemes, such as gym membership to encourage physical exercises that further reduces chances of one being obese. The Cost of Obesity Obesity is expensive to individuals, their families, and the society as a whole. This is mainly due to their increased medical expenses, and reduction in productivity in the economy. The total financial cost on Australian community was estimated at $8.3 billion in 2008, where the government bears over $ 2.8 billion per annum while state governments bear about $ 30.6 billion (Currie et.al, 2010). The productivity cost includes the cost of short-term and long-term employment. The estimated cost of obesity in Australia is $120 billion, which is about 8% of the total national output (Currie, 2009). A one percent increase in the number of people with obesity reduces the national welfare by 4%, leading to an expense of $4 billion annually. Majority of obese people are absent from their jobs mostly due to health problems. Absenteeism in the jobs is an economic cost to the organizations since it reduces the level of productivity. It is believed that if the rate of obesity could be reduced by half, there could be an increase in the income by about 60%. There are other costs of obesity, such as a decrease in national revenue, inequality, reduced life expectancy, and environmental degradation. Mental illness, which is as a result, of obesity, is a major factor that drags the economy, with its wellbeing cost estimated at $190 billion a year (Bagchi, 2011). Recommendations People should be encouraged to eat healthy foods in order to maintain a healthy society. This could be achieved by decreasing the prices of healthy foods to make it affordable to many people. The fast food restaurants and industries that manufacture fast foods products should take the initiative of educating people on the health implication of fast foods so that people make informed decisions regarding the type of foods they consume. Misleading advertisements on fast foods should be banned since they create a false impression of the effects of fast foods on individuals. Education curriculum should include health subjects that educate the students on their health, and particularly the impacts of consuming unhealthy foods. Individuals should also have a responsibility for making right choices regarding their health. Conclusion The high cost of obesity can be reduced since the condition is not permanent and can be controlled by encouraging the society to live healthy lives. Therefore, it is crucial that the people concerned act appropriately to put the condition under control. By making healthy foods affordable, the society will not only reduce fast foods consumption but will also be more productive, thus contributing to overall economic development and human well-being. It is, therefore, necessary to educate the health workers and the society as a whole on the adverse impacts of fast foods. References Bagchi, D. (2011). Global perspectives on childhood obesity: Current status, consequences and prevention. London: Academic. Currie, J. M., & National Bureau of Economic Research. (2009). The effect of fast food restaurants on obesity. 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. doi:10.1257/pol.2.3.32 Miguel-Yanes, et al. (2011). Variants at the Endocannabinoid Receptor CB1 Gene (CNR1) and Insulin Sensitivity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Coronary Heart Disease. Obesity. doi:10.1038/oby.2011.135 Dunn, K. I., Mohr, P. B., Wilson, C. J., & Wittert, G. A. (2008). Beliefs about fast food in Australia: A qualitative analysis. Appetite, 51(2), 331-334. Obesity Consequences | Obesity Prevention Source | Harvard School of Public Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity- consequences/ Schlosser, E., & Adamson, R. (2001). Fast food nation: [the dark side of the all-American meal]. New York: Random House Audio. Smith, A. (2011). Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat. Greenwood. Stockley, C. (2010). Australia: the healthiest country by 2020 A discussion paper prepared by the National Preventative Health Taskforce. Toxic Food Environment | Obesity Prevention Source | Harvard School of Public Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity- causes/food-environment-and-obesity/ Read More