Health Risks of Fast Food: Understanding the Connection

The rising number of obese is one of the major societal concerns in the United States. Fast food plays a big part. It's linked to obesity and to other health problems, partially due to the large serving sizes, high calorie and fat content and its link to sedentary lifestyles.

Fat Content

• Meats with high-fat content, trans- and saturated fats are used in fast food because they are cheaper, and larger portion sizes are becoming more economical for customers.

Lack of Nutrition

• Fast food does not often contain many food groups, including vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Food is cooked in highly saturated oil, and the oil is reused, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

Heart Health

• Most fast foods are fried or contain high levels of grease and oil, increasing the risk for heart disease. Since many have sedentary lifestyles, those who eat high-fat meals gain weight, increasing the workload on their heart.

Food Contamination

• Many ingredients used in fast-food meals contain contaminants including fecal matter; slaughterhouses are overloaded with animals, increasing the chances of contamination.

Disease

• Some health issues about fast food include the obesity-related diseases associated with weight gain. Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome, heart disease and dyslipidemia are just some of the ailments associated with fast food and obesity.