In modern day society, eating habits have completely changed from what they were in the past. More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. Regularly eating junk food can cause many negative repercussions including weight gain, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.
Even though junk food tastes good, it is not nutritionally balanced and can affect a person’s health negatively primarily by excessive weight gain, illness, and health issues. Andre F. Smith, author of Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food, defines junk food as, “ those commercial products, including candy, bakery goods, ice cream, salty snacks, and soft drinks, which have little or no nutritional value but do have plenty of calories, salt and fats.” People of all ages are shifting towards the junk food market because it makes an easier lifestyle for many people because it is hassle free and____. Elaine McGee, author of “Are you a junk-food junkie?”, states that the main problem with junk food is its low satiation value which leads to overeating because the consumers do not feel as full when they eat these junk products. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation published a study in 2013 showing that children and adolescents take in more calories in fast food places and restaurants than they do in their own homes.
Eating outside of their own home, children added a minimum of 210 calories per meal to their regular calorie intake. These additional calories, contribute to weight gain among children and adolescents. Being overweight is a risk factor for chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and stroke. According to research conducted by the University of Cambridge, lab mice have also shown degrading health when in the presence of short d. .f India).
As this may be true, many people do not realize that cheese is a product that, if taken in proper quantities based on a food pyramid, it is a healthy food. Cheese is not considered in the realms of junk food, and healthy cheeses contain dairy that is requirement for good health. According to a study, McDonald ‘s mozzarella sticks contain 3.76 percent of a starch filler and in other terms could be classified as a “fake cheese.” This is an example in which McDonald ‘s junk food has the opportunity to negatively impact a consumer ‘s health. In essence, the consumption of junk food can be detrimental to a person ‘s health.
The effects of junk food are negative in which it can cause excessive weight gain, illness, and immoderate health issues. Therefore, it is beneficial to have a healthy diet and follow a systematic approach by eating based on a food pyramid.