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Fast Food: The Negative Effects of the Worldwide Phenomenon

By REBECCA CROSS

The sound of McDonald's, Burger King, and Taco Bell make the mouth water immediately to most. Fast food has been a staple of American culture for a significant amount of time.

 

According to QSR Magazine, certain fast food chains such as Subway have almost 26,000 stores nationwide, while McDonald's, has over 37,000 stores worldwide (as reported in 2017).

 

According to Statista.com, “McDonald’s has grown into a global giant with increasing numbers of stores year-on-year”. The website also has described McDonald’s having a “brand value of more than 97 billion U.S. dollars.”

 

It is clear that the growth in the fast food industry continues to soar and interestingly, fast food chains have become one of the main sources of revenue for the United States economy. However, fast food has been given much criticism over the years.

 

Many experts, scientists, doctors, and more have warned the public about the negative effects of fast food. Some of which include: increasing obesity rates; increasing depression; and other health problems, such as type two diabetes and coronary heart disease. Moreover, according to Healthyeating.sfgate.com, “Many fast food meals contain over 2,000 calories -- in other words, one meal has more than your daily recommended calorie allotment.”

 

Also, according to the Food Revolution Network, “a study published in Circulation found that eating fast food one time per week increased the risk of dying from coronary heart disease by 20% — a risk that grew to 50% for people eating fast food two or three times per week.”

 

Noting that the unhealthy effects of fast food are dramatic, many wonder why people continue to seek out fast food. However, the Food Revolution Network explains, “Fast food is appealing — it’s cheap, convenient, tasty, and in many circles, socially acceptable.”

 

Additionally, interesting factors such as mental health, have also been suggested to answer the question of the desire for fast food. Food Revolution Network continues stating, “Fast food and processed foods are being designed to alter our brains and drive food addiction. The science of food addiction says these foods produce the same biochemical effects in the brain that are characteristic of substance abuse. Hundreds of millions of people have come to crave these unhealthy foods.”

 

While fast food does generate revenue for the U.S. economy and has been described as convenient for many, the gradual rise in healthy eating and nutrition have given fast food’s harsh effects more attention. Clearly, fast food has become a more visited topic and the debate will certainly continue.


 

Works Cited

"Fast Food Health Risks That Will Shock You." Foodrevolution.org, Food Revolution Network, 19 Oct. 2017, foodrevolution.org/blog/food-and-health/fast-food-health-risks/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2019.

"Number of McDonald's Restaurants Worldwide from 2005 to 2017." Statista.com, 2017. Statista.com, www.statista.com/statistics/219454/mcdonalds-restaurants-worldwide/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2019.

QSR Staff. "The 23 Biggest Fast-Food Chains in America." QSR Magazine, 16 Aug. 2018, www.qsrmagazine.com/content/23-biggest-fast-food-chains-america. Accessed 8 Feb. 2019.

Robbins, Carolyn. "Is Eating Fast Food Bad for Your Health." SF Gate, 27 Nov. 2018. SF Gate, healthyeating.sfgate.com/eating-fast-food-bad-health-1548.html. Accessed 9 Feb. 2019.

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