People tend to eat fast food more than healty food - Research Paper Example

? People Tend To Eat Fast Food More Than Healthy Food Id Number TA’s March 13, Since the 1970’s, the number of obese Americans has doubled. It has been suggested by some studies that the exponential growth rate of Americans who are obese has stabilized; despite this, obesity is still one of the major health concerns within the United States (Food Research and Action Center (FARC), 2010). While this problem may have leveled out for the time being, it has in no way dissipated, and dietary choices and conscious meal selections are more important than ever. Trends suggest that fast food is preferred over traditional healthy food choices. While some major fast food chains have taken proactive stances against obesity and the accompanying health problems, most have failed to change the attitudes or choices of the consumer. Introduction There are numerous discrepancies and disparities among the various demographics which suggest dietary customs, preferences, and lifestyles that are often dictated by the need or convenience. Not only are these differences noted among ethnic and racial groups, but they are also noted among social classes. Youth are fast becoming the highest risk population, with statistics estimating that between 20-40% of youths are considered above the national average in body mass index scores, which are commonly calculated and recorded within the education curriculum. Is the tendency of Americans to prefer fast food contributing to society’s obesity problem? Do we actually prefer fast food or is this choice made out of perceived necessity such as lack of time, working parents, and habits? Literature Review Ban on fast-food joints not the way to fight obesity problems. (2008, Aug 04). Portland Press Herald. Retrieved from: http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/277320688?accountid=3783 Dunn, R., Sharkey, J., & Horel, S. (2012). The effect of fast-food availability on fast-food consumption and obesity among rural residents: an analysis by race/ethnicity. Economics And Human Biology, 10(1), 1-13. doi:10.1016/j.ehb.2011.09.005 Hale, E. (2003, Nov 18). Junk food super-sizing Europeans ; as processed snacks and fast food replace traditional diets in Italy and elsewhere in Europe, obesity is soaring. some say 'Americanization' of eating threatens their culture. USA TODAY. Retrieved from: http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/408926723?accountid=3783 Hirsch, J. (2009, Oct 06). NUTRITION; study: Fast-food ban is no fat cure; barring new eateries in south L.A. is unlikely to curb obesity, rand researchers say. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from: http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/422283887?accountid=3783 Longacre, M., Drake, K., MacKenzie, T., Gibson, L., Owens, P., Titus, L., & ... Dalton, M. (2012). Fast-food environments and family fast-food intake in nonmetropolitan areas. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine, 42(6), 579-587. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2012.02.017 Sharkey, J., Johnson, C., Dean, W., & Horel, S. (2011). Association between proximity to and coverage of traditional fast-food restaurants and non-traditional fast-food outlets and fast-food consumption among rural adults. International Journal Of Health Geographic’s, 1037. doi:10.1186/1476-072X-10-37 Method Research methods proposed should be both quantitative and qualitative. These choices are based on skill and research abilities along with the time frame allotted for this research. Comparative and descriptive research methods will be qualitative and experimental, and the correlation methods are quantitative. Cultural research involves various methods and will be used to identify differences in cultural groups and their relationship to food preferences. This is intended to determine demographic groups which statistically and significantly indicate a larger or smaller proportion of the sub population who prefer fast food. Comparative research can be used along with historical data while descriptive research will rely directly on observations. When placed in close proximity, healthy food choices will be chosen less frequently than fast food choices. Restaurants which specialize in being healthy and those recognizing obesity as a national problem which offer healthy choices will be chosen by older demographic groups. More mature demographic groups are more likely to begin experiencing problems associated with poor dietary choices, as evidenced by correlation studies. In response, they are more likely to be aware of the ramifications of poor eating habits. Correlation research will determine relationships between existing factors. Experimental research methods are able to test and evaluate the influence of certain variables in a research study. Families with two working parents who have less time for home and children will more often choose fast food and take out versus cooking a healthy meal. Youth considered latch key kids who frequently care for younger siblings at meal times prepare frozen and processed, easy to prepare foods which are higher in sodium, sugars, and starches. Cultural research explores many of today’s theories regarding behavior and influences on this behavior. African American and Mexican Americans eat more frequently at home, though food choices are not necessarily healthier, yet they are the traditional foods preferred by these cultural groups. Data There are numerous data sets to collect in order to evaluate and test these hypothesis. The population area and subset should first be chosen. Data should include proximity of fast food choices and other healthier choices from any given point in a defined radius. The evaluation of this data will allow the exploration of possible reasons for fast food choices over healthier choices. Other data which should be collected is the median age of this population group as well as statistics such as average body mass indexes in these school districts to use in comparison with national averages. Data collected through the use of surveys will help to determine demographic groups’ dietary choices and current health status to determine how this affects their current choices, as opposed to previous choices. Other data collected through the use of surveys will include who is the main provider of meals within the household. Are these meals cooked, ordered from take-away or fast food restaurants? Is fast food an acceptable meal choice for your family under normal circumstances? How often do you and your family eat fast food? What is considered a healthy meal in your household? Dependent variables and independent variables will be the locations of the food choices within the chosen area. Variables also include the age of the participant’s, demographics of the participant’s, ability to drive and to purchase fast food on their own versus having to have fast food provided by a parent, participant’s current health status, prior education on health risks associated with obesity and nutrition programs in local schools. All of these variables are important and will provide data for each hypothesis. To measure and quantify data, statistical Leukert surveys can be used as well as interviews in local schools. Health departments and family physicians can be asked to participate in obtaining some study data with the permission of the patient to share the data for research purposes. Findings and Results To support my hypothesis, results will indicate that families often choose fast food over healthier choices due to busy schedules, convenience, cost and desire for something ‘easy,’ and agreeable. Older Americans are more likely to choose restaurants with health-conscious menu choices and have begun to exhibit signs and symptoms which can be contributed to and controlled by diet such as high blood pressure and diabetes. African Americans and Mexican Americans will choose fast food less often, though survey data will show their typical diet as unhealthy; a higher percentage of youth in these demographic groups will be considered obese. Those parent who have received nutritional training or participated in the WIC program are more health-conscious, and youth who have been taught nutrition as part of their school curriculum are likely to be more aware of healthy eating choices, though they are less likely to make these choices, wanting to fit in with their peer groups. This changes when weight becomes a problem for them as they become aware of body image and gain a negative body image and accompanying self-esteem issues, which are common in this group. This is happening at younger and younger ages, and long term effects are unknown though they are certainly negative. Data which would contradict my hypothesis would be that despite health status, people across all demographic groups such as age and ethnicity choose fast food over healthy food choices, as shown by survey respondent’s and local health statistics available through the health department. Conclusion Do individuals prefer fast food or ‘foods of convenience’ over healthy food choices? Individuals prefer fast foods for a variety of reasons, though the population is becoming more aware of the national obesity problem and more and more people are making more responsible choices. Fast food chains are attempting to address the problem in many cases by altering selections to be more heart-healthy or offering sugar-free and low-fat menu items. It is precise because people tend to prefer fast food; fast food mega giants are implementing these changes as the public is slow to respond to the national crisis, and fast food giants understand the implications of research studies aimed at obesity’s relationship and correlation with a diet that consists primarily of fast food. Is the tendency of Americans to prefer fast food contributing to society’s obesity a problem? Data showing that the majority of Americans prefer fast food in correlation with health statistics is significant; implications that dietary choices have a strong impact on an individual’s overall health lead to intervention planning. Research results can then be used to plan and implement these interventions among those populations at high risk. Do we actually prefer fast food or is this choice made out of perceived necessity such as lack of time, working parents, habit? Research shows that even though most of us would prefer to consistently make healthy dietary choices, lifestyle factors contribute to our preference of fast food and easy to prepare processed food. This finding indicates that nutrition education should be started as early as possible in order to allow healthier choices to be made in spite of the fact circumstances may not allow the ‘traditional’ cooking or preparation of a ‘stereotypical’ healthy meal. References Food Research and Action Center (FARC). (2010). Overweight and Obesity in the U.S.A Food Research & Action Center. Food Research Action Center Overweight and Obesity in the US Comments. Retrieved March 13, 2013, from: http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/obesity-in-the-us/ Read More