Fast Food, Fast Life, and Fast Death - Term Paper Example

The term "fast food" is soon being replaced by the most appropriate term-"junk food" and there are more reasons for this branding than there are French fries in a happy-meal! No matter how appetizing or convenient fast foods may seem, there are always impending dangers lurking behind. The truth of the matter is that fast foods are the major cause of a variety of illnesses and disease conditions, often leading to fatal consequences, and their ill effects dont end here. Fast foods have been pivotal in other disasters as well, both environmental and ecological.

Fast food contains alarmingly high levels of fats, carbohydrates, cholesterol and refined sugar, which are loaded with calories, and are the main factors responsible for triggering obesity. The large amounts of empty calories ingested coupled with lack of an active lifestyle and exercise, lead to accumulation of unhealthy fats the body. Cholesterol clogs arteries, leading to severe complications like heart disease. According to statistics released by the CDC1, 26.6% of Americans are obese, and obesity is the direct result of eating improper diet coupled with a lack of exercise.

As many as 16% of US soldiers are obese, making it the primary reason for discharging them from duty in the Military. Fast foods lack desirable essential nutrients and dietary fiber, the most important components of a healthy diet. British researchers from the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Center and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have determined that repeated eating at McDonalds or KFC or Burger King, people are more likely to gain weight and become obese. This is because fast food not only contains many more calories than traditional food, but also is more likely to undermine normal appetite control systems.

(Freiboth2) Obesity isnt the only harmful effect of Fast food consumption. Research done by national and international organizations has revealed