Fast Food and Obesity – a Strong Correlation

Eating fast food has become a way of life in America and one of the unwanted consequences is the staggering large number of people who have become obese. Obesity is putting a lot of Americans' health at risk and obesity has become prevalent with adults, teenagers as well as young children.

Fast Food and Obesity in Children

A study was conducted which looked over the vast amount of data compiled from a survey of 6,212 children and adolescents. Researchers discovered that the children who had routinely consumed fast food had more fat, saturated fat, less dietary fiber and their solid food contained more calories per gram than children who did not consume fast food. The fast food eating children who participated in the survey typically took in more calories than is recommended for their age and height which contributes to childhood obesity.

The Chicago Tribune published a report which claimed that high income families, young boys, older kids, African Americans and adolescents form the south have a higher level of fast food consumption than other groups. Fast food restaurants are everywhere and fast food has invaded schools and hospitals.

When researchers look at the connection between fast food and obesity they realize that fast foods make a major contribution to people being overweight due to the high fat content of most fast food items. Fast foods also replace healthy foods in peoples' diets and they also provide very little fiber which is important for keeping people healthy. The large portions of these fatty foods also are a factor in the large number of Americans being overweight.

Major Study

A major study was conducted which revealed the connection between fast food and obesity. One of the researchers from the study suggested that the heavy emphasis on fat and salt in fast food items promotes overeating. The study on fast food and obesity followed up on 2,027 Caucasians and 1,726 African Americans between the ages of eighteen and thirty in numerous cities across America.

Some of the important findings from the fast food and obesity study included Caucasians who ate fast food items at least twice a week had a 50 per cent greater chance of becoming obese compared to those who ate fast food once or never on a weekly basis. The fast food eaters' chances of having abnormal glucose control which can lead to diabetes were double when compared to others. One of the researchers of the fast food and obesity study has suggested that the composition of most fast food items is the opposite of what is recommended for a healthy diet. A super sized fast food meal can be over 1,600 calories and filled with fat and low quality carbohydrates. Eating high calorie fast foods and sitting in front of a television set or a computer is a lifestyle that leads to obesity.

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