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Cause and Effect of Fast Food: the Impact on Health and Society

Table of contents, causes of fast food consumption, effects on physical well-being, cultural and societal impact, economic considerations, promoting healthier lifestyles, conclusion: balancing convenience and health.

  • Ludwig, D. S., Peterson, K. E., & Gortmaker, S. L. (2001). Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis. The Lancet, 357(9255), 505-508.
  • Malik, V. S., Pan, A., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2013). Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 98(4), 1084-1102.
  • Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., Robinson-O'Brien, R., & Glanz, K. (2008). Creating healthy food and eating environments: policy and environmental approaches. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 253-272.
  • Stuckler, D., McKee, M., Ebrahim, S., & Basu, S. (2012). Manufacturing epidemics: the role of global producers in increased consumption of unhealthy commodities including processed foods, alcohol, and tobacco. PLOS Medicine, 9(6), e1001235.
  • World Health Organization. (2016). Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. WHO Press.

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The Hidden Dangers of Fast and Processed Food *

The fundamental concern as we look to reform health in America is the known reality that most chronic diseases that afflict Americans are predominantly lifestyle induced; and the belief is that the vast majority of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if people were willing to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors. In addition, healthy lifestyles would impact a significant number of cancers which are also believed to be related to lifestyle exposures, especially to obesity, cigarettes, and other toxins.

Over the past 50 years, the health of Americans has gotten worse, and now 71% of Americans are overweight or obese—not 66%, which was reported 5 years ago. 1 That means a staggering 100 million people in America are obese. Today, eating processed foods and fast foods may kill more people prematurely than cigarette smoking. 2

Authorities determined the 71% figure by classifying people with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m 2 as overweight or obese. Yet in long-lived societies such as in the “Blue Zones” (Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica; and Loma, Linda California) and wherever we find groups of centenarians, we observe a healthy BMI below 23 kg/m 2 , not 25 kg/m 2 . If we use above 23 kg/m 2 as the demarcation for overweight or obesity, then we find that 88% of Americans are overweight. And out of the approximately 10% that are of normal weight, the majority of those so-called “normal weight individuals” are either cigarette smokers, or suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction or dependency, autoimmune disease, occult cancers, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune conditions, digestive disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and other illnesses that lower their body weight. Therefore, perhaps that only about 5% of the American population is at a normal weight as a result of eating healthy and living a healthy life. A recent study documented that only 2.7% of Americans adopt a relatively healthy lifestyle by combining exercise with healthy eating. 3 The Standard American Diet (SAD) is clearly not a healthy diet.

I use the term “Fast Food Genocide” because most don’t understand the depth and breadth of the harm as a large segment of our society eats a diet worse than the dangerous SAD. Many people recognize that junk food, fast food, processed food, white flour, sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, and all the junk people are eating contribute to in obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, dementia and cancer, but many don’t realize the strong causative role an unhealthy diet may have in mental illness. Currently, 1 in 5 Americans suffers from a psychiatric disorder. And many people don’t realize the harm that processed foods have on Americans living in urban areas where they don’t have easy access to whole, fresh foods.

These unfortunate folks live in what we call “food deserts,” with reduced availability to fresh fruits and vegetables. Because of the limited access to supermarkets, they eat more unhealthy fast and processed foods and end up having 7 times the risk of early-life stroke (before age 45), putting people in nursing homes in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. 4 - 7

The vulnerable poor in these areas also have double the risk of heart attack, double the risk of diabetes, and 4 times the risk of renal failure 8 - 10 ; Unfortunately, the decrease in life span due to food inequality is shocking but rarely discussed. A substantial proportion of people in these urban environments are overweight, prediabetic, or fully diabetic. Researchers determined that compared with other areas in America with easy access to supermarket food, that the YPLL (Years of Potential Life Lost) for an overweight diabetic living in a zone classified as a food desert was a shocking 45 years! 11 , 12

A link may even exist between fast food, processed food, commercial baked goods, and sweets and destruction of brain cell and a lowering of intelligence. Candy and sweetened baked goods may even stimulate the brain in an addictive fashion, which can lead to more serious illnesses.

The nutritional fundamentals accepted by the World Health Organization and most nutritional authorities today include vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and fruit as healthy foods; and salt, saturated fat, and excess sugar as disease causing. Excessive amounts of animal products may lead to premature aging, increased risk of chronic disease and higher all-cause mortality. Multiple studies have been published on hundreds of thousands of people, followed for decades showing that the objective endpoint of death is increased with higher amounts of animal product consumption. 13 - 17 Furthermore, refined carbohydrates may not just lead to being overweight and diabetic but also contribute to dementia, mental illness, and cancer. 18 - 21 There is considerable evidence today that heart disease is not only promoted by saturated fat and increased animal products but also by refined carbohydrates, including white rice, white bread, sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar. 22 - 25

Research has shown that excess calories shorten lifespan, whereas moderate caloric restriction slows the aging process and protects the body and brain. Americans consume more calories than any other population; and they consume foods, many of which have minimal or no nutritional value (soda and alcohol as examples). So let’s consider the individual who is consuming 50 excess calories per day. What will be the short- and long-term result? Fifty excess calories per day, over and above your basic metabolic needs, over a 10-year period, adds about 50 pounds of extra body weight. The excess weight increases the risk of multiple chronic illnesses, cancers, and also takes many years of life away from the individual simply as a result of consuming only 50 calories a day too many.

Conversely, if an individual consumed 50 calories a day less that their metabolic requirements what would happen then? Would he or she become too thin, anorexic, and unhealthy? Would their bones fall apart? Obviously not! When you moderately caloric-restrict, even a small amount such as 50 to 100 calories a day, weight remains about the same, the person is slim, not too thin, and healthy. He or she will have a lower body fat percentage, and the skeletal mass, bones, and muscle mass are strong. In this scenario, the metabolic rate would slow down accordingly. The respiratory quotient, (the number of calories lost through respiration) would decrease, the body temperature would lower, and thyroid function would decrease slightly, all lowering the metabolic rate, which overall may result in a slowing of the aging process. The secret to a long life and freedom from chronic disease may be simply to moderately reduce calories in order to slow down our metabolic rate. The only behavior proven scientifically to dramatically increase life span in every species of animals, including primates, is to lower caloric intake while maintaining an environment of micronutrient adequacy, assuring that we have exposure to every micronutrient humans need. The American diet is also deficient in antioxidants and phytochemicals that are needed for normal immune function, for maximizing brain health, protecting against dementia, chronic illness, cancer, and premature aging.

A nutritarian diet is designed to establish excellent micronutrient intake without excess calories . A nutritarian diet is designed to help prolong human life span, decrease the risk of cancer, and keep the brain functioning well for many years. This principle is represented by the equation I use: H = N /C, which means your healthy life expectancy (H) is proportional to the micronutrient (N) per calorie intake (C) over your life span. This means that we are encouraged to seek out foods that are rich in nutrients. We should try to limit or exclude empty-calorie foods and drinks. We should also limit or avoid calorically dense foods, and not eat for recreation or when we are not hungry.

A nutritarian diet is rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants. It is a vegetable-based, utilizing a wide assortment of colorful vegetables, root vegetables, green vegetables, peas, beans, mushrooms, onions, nuts, seeds, and some intact whole grains. While the standard American diet and most traditional diets are grain-based and lack sufficient exposure to the broad spectrum of antioxidants and phytochemicals (with their anticancer effects), it is important to note that not all plant-based diets are equally cancer-protective. As an example, a rice-heavy, macrobiotic diet limits phytochemical diversity, and brown rice produced in this country is contaminated with arsenic, extensively documented by Consumer Reports and white rice is refined, high glycemic food, and therefore not a healthy starch.

In comparison, the SAD is almost the opposite of a nutritarian diet. Over 55% of the SAD’s calories are processed foods, and about 33% of calories come from animal products. If we are looking at the amount of fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) consumed in America, the food consumption data reports about 10%; but in actuality, it is less than 5%, because they include French fries and ketchup in the definition of “produce!” The point here is that processed foods such as bread, pasta, salad oil, mayonnaise, doughnuts, cookies, rice cakes, breakfast bars, chips, soda, candy, and popcorn do not contain a significant micronutrient benefit. A piece of chicken is like a bagel, because they are both rich sources of macronutrients (calories), but neither one contains the necessary amounts of micronutrients, especially the antioxidants and phytochemicals only found in plants.

The high glycemic white flour products with added sweetening agents, flood the bloodstream with glucose without fiber, nutrients, or phytochemicals; and these baked goods are also high in acrylamides and advanced glycation end-products, further increasing the glycoproteins in our tissues. The resulting spike in glucose leads to abnormally high amounts of insulin, which will also promote angiogenesis, which fuels the growth of fat cells, increases cellular replication and tumor growth. The liberal amount of animal protein (including chicken which many incorrectly believe is the more healthy meat) consumed by most Americans promotes excessive insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1), making a synergistic “sandwich” of insulin and IGF-1, which may accelerate aging of the brain, interfere with cellular detoxification and repair, and promote cancer. 26 The SAD has created a nutritional disaster and a significant health crisis that will not be solved by governmental “health care reform.”

Now when we think about “fast food” we’re not just referring to the food in fast food restaurants. Fast foods include chips, soda, cookies, candy, breakfast cereals, bars, French fries, burgers, pizza, white flour baked goods, and all other high-calorie, low-nutrient foods that people often eat multiple times per day. These are processed foods and for many, are the primary source of calories. These fast foods have certain characteristics: They can be accessed easily and quickly; they don’t need to be prepared; they come out of a bag or box ready to go right into your mouth. You can eat them rapidly and they’re absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream. These fast foods typically contain multiple chemicals and synthetic ingredients. They are calorically dense, highly flavored, and nutritionally barren. Fast foods typically contain extra corn syrup, sugar, artificial sweeteners, salt, coloring agents, and other potentially disease promoting chemicals.

When calories flood the bloodstream rapidly they have dramatic biological effects. Let’s compare 200 calories of white bread to 200 calories of beans. The white bread would be metabolized into simple sugars (glucose) which enters the bloodstream in 5 to 10 minutes. This requires a rapid increase in insulin; and the rapid insulin response will remain for hours. On the other hand, the carbohydrates from beans will take much more time to be digested and, as a result these calories enter the bloodstream slowly. Essentially, the calories will trickle in over hours. When eating beans, a small amount of glucose enters the blood each minute and therefore you won’t need much of an insulin response to deal with this amount of sugar. As mentioned above, the buildup of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accelerates aging and chronic disease. 27 , 28 When a diabetic suffers from kidney failure, blindness, or a leg amputation, a major causative factor is the buildup of AGEs in the tissues. Interestingly, these same glycated end-products and glycoproteins build up in the tissues of people who are not diabetic but who continually expose themselves to excess sugar and white flour products.

Next, it is important to understand that oils are also processed foods. When consumed, oil enters the bloodstream rapidly similar to high glycemic carbohydrates. Anything cooked in oil should be considered a fast food. Beans, nuts, and seeds are whole foods whose calories are absorbed gradually over hours. In contrast, the calories from oil are absorbed rapidly, and are largely empty calories (with insignificant micronutrients and no fiber)—a combination that leads to obesity, disease, and premature aging.

If I set up a buffet dinner and I asked all the guests to form 2 lines and then gave everyone on the right side a tablespoon of olive oil, and each of those on the left side an apple to consume while they were waiting in line, those who ate the 65-calorie apple will generally eat 65 less calories from the buffet. But those who had the 120-calorie tablespoon of oil will not usually consume 120 calories less. The oil contains neither fiber, nor micronutrients and contains nothing to decrease the appestat. A matter of fact, if you put oil on food, it may actually increase one’s appetite. Not only will these individuals not eat fewer calories—they will eat even more than the 120 calories from the oil. 29 When added or mixed into food, oil drives overeating behavior.

Nutrients and fiber are needed to control the appestat, so you consume a healthy amount of calories. My experience has demonstrated with thousands of patients, the more nutrient and fiber dense your diet becomes the lower your drive to overeat. 30 This is extremely important, because even a moderate amount of extra fat on the body induces more rapid aging and increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. A mild degree of caloric restriction becomes comfortable and achievable when the diet is high in micronutrients and fiber. When you have enough micronutrients and fiber in your diet, you don’t feel driven to overeat. But when you don’t have enough micronutrients and fiber in your diet, you become a food-craving, overeating machine.

Even worse is what happens when you eat food fried in oil because fried food may create carcinogenic and mutagenic aldehydes. 31 Food that is fried such as in a fast food restaurant is usually cooked in oil that has been heated and used multiple times. One serving of French fries or fried chicken that is cooked in a fast food restaurant has 100 times the level of aldehydes designated as safe by the World Health Organization. Even the fumes are so toxic they increase the risk of cancer. People working in restaurants that fry the food, or those working in a movie theater making popcorn, have a heighted risk of lung and other cancers, even if they don’t eat any of the fried foods. 32

The explosion of fast food restaurants has significantly increased the intake of fried foods, and people are now eating 1000 times the amount of soybean oil compared with the early 1900s. 33 Humans never ate 400 calories of oil a day the way people do in America, especially in the Southern states—which are known for the highest stroke and heart attack rates in the world. 34 When you use nuts and seeds as your source of fat as opposed to oil, we see the opposite effect.

The Physician’s Health Study, the Nurses’ Health Study, Iowa Women’s Health Study, the Adventist Health Study—any study with large numbers of people followed for decades—demonstrates the relationship between nut and seed consumption and longer life span. We always have to give more credence to clinical research studies that involve large numbers of people followed over decades using objective endpoints such as mortality. When you do that, you find that people who consume nuts and seeds regularly have lower cancer rates, lower cardiovascular death rates, lower sudden cardiac death, less irregular heartbeats, and an increase in life span.

A 2015 meta-analysis that included over 44 000 deaths demonstrated an almost 40% decrease in cardiovascular mortality for people eating nuts and seeds regularly (one serving a day). The European PreviMed study, which randomized 7216 individuals to nuts or olive oil as part of a Mediterranean diet showed a 39% decrease in all-cause mortality in the nut eaters. 35

When we look at the health implications of animal protein we should compare this type of nutrition with plant-based proteins, especially when an individual has cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, or even cancer. When your protein comes from beans, nuts, seeds, and greens, the body more gradually assimilates a complete array of amino acids to make functional proteins and hormones, keeping IGF-1 production much lower. Adequate amounts of plant protein keep IGF-1 in that moderate range, between 100 and 175, which is where it should be. The average American’s IGF-1 level is around 225, which is a level which has been linked to cancer promotion. When we eat a variety of plants, we get a full balance of amino acids, which slowly enter the blood—and we also digest some of the bacteria in the digestive track and some of the cells that slough off of the villi endothelium, enabling the utilization of partially incomplete plant proteins, now made complete. Conversely, when you eat large portions of meat, eggs, or cheese, the amino acid mix enters the bloodstream faster and because it is already biologically complete, it stimulates excessive amounts of IGF-1, again increasing the risk of cancer. 36 - 43

The average American consumes 10 to 20 ounces a day of animal products, whereas the safe level of consumption is likely less than 10 ounces per week . My estimate of 10% of calories as an upper limit of safe consumption is for a person with favorable genetics and is still likely more animal products than ideal for the nonelderly adults. It may be the case that under 5% of calories from animal products would be more ideal for life span and for facilitating disease reversal. Of course, any diet designed to optimize health should include a broad array of colorful plants with phytochemicals and antioxidants, which have been shown to increase life span and prevent cancer.

The animal products served at fast food restaurants are making the health of the population much worse, creating dangerous carcinogens from the food being grilled, barbecued, and fried at high temperatures. The World Health Organization has classified processed meats (hot dogs, sausage, bacon, and lunch meats) a class 1 carcinogen. AGEs are also highest in barbecued and fried animal products which also contain cancer-causing chemicals such as heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and lipid peroxidases, which are mutagenic.

There are 2 phases of the digestive cycle: the anabolic phase, when you are eating and digesting, and the catabolic phase, when digestion has ceased. When you are eating and digesting food, the body turns those calories into stored glycogen, increasing fat storage and the storage of waste. During this phase of the digestive cycle, growth hormones and fat storage hormones are activated.

When your body is finished digesting, you enter the catabolic phase, where the stored glycogen and fat are utilized for energy. This is the phase when your body can most effectively detoxify and enhance cellular repair. It is the time when the liver and kidneys work together to remove aldehydes, AGEs, and other toxic metabolites. Repair and healing is enhanced during the catabolic phase when you are not eating food.

Most Americans have made their bodies so toxic, that when they enter the catabolic phase of the digestive cycle, they feel uncomfortable. That means they feel fatigue, headache, stomach cramping or fluttering, anxiety, or other uncomfortable symptoms when they stop digesting food and the body starts to mobilize waste and repair the damage. They typically interpret these symptoms as hunger or low blood sugar, because they feel better if they eat again—even though there is no biological need for calories at this time; and so they just get fatter and sicker. Every addiction has a “high” during the caloric rush and a “low” during withdrawal and repair from the disease-causing diet and resultant metabolic wastes and toxins that accrue from it. The American diet results in withdrawal symptoms and discomfort which promotes overeating and too-frequent eating. The lower the quality of the food consumed, the more discomfort felt when not eating and digesting, which makes it very difficult to maintain a healthy body weight.

If you’re healthy and eating nutritious food, you feel nothing when you enter the catabolic phase, with no desire to eat again until glycogen stores are nearly exhausted. True hunger is a mild sensation felt in the throat and base of the neck. True hunger heightens taste sensitivity too, making eating more pleasurable. True hunger directs when you should eat and therefore it’s more difficult to become overweight if you pay attention to the signs your body sends to your brain. Being overweight requires eating outside of the demands of true hunger, either recreationally or because of withdrawal symptoms from improper eating, stimulating the overconsumption of calories.

Enhanced detoxification—reduction of metabolic waste, aldehydes, and AGEs—occurs most effectively in the catabolic phase. That means the longer you live in the catabolic phase of the digestive cycle, the longer you live. If you finish dinner earlier or have a lighter dinner, and you have a 13-hour window between the end of dinner and the start of breakfast, you are going to live longer. A recent study had women with breast cancer followed for 10 years and found that those who finished dinner earlier and had a 13-hour window before the start of breakfast had a 26% reduction in the risk of death or recurrence from breast cancer. 44 , 45 The increased nighttime window was also linked to improved glycemic control and a lower HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin). They had no better diet, no different number of calories, no better food; they just finished dinner earlier.

The goal for excellent health is to eat as infrequently as possible. Many people believe just the opposite and eat frequent small meals that increase endothelial dysfunction leading to an increased risk for arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. In addition, all the fad diets encourage people to make the wrong choices about what and when to eat. Many suggest the use of frequent high-protein meals so as not to feel the effects of normal detoxification. When the digestive track is continually busy, it results in accelerated aging.

Processed and fast foods are also high in salt. The fast and processed food manufacturers don’t just put salt on the French fries and on the meat, they also put salt in the French fry batter and inside the chopped meat. They also include high fructose corn syrup in most foods. The added fat, sugar, and salt create a taste that makes people crave these foods, a sensation that many describe as an addiction. Both sugar and salt intake increase stroke risk, especially when consumed daily for years. Additionally, what is generally not appreciated is that the regular consumption of artificially sweetened soda creates more of a stroke risk. 46 High salt does not merely raise blood pressure; it also causes microvascular hemorrhaging, which damages the interior walls of the blood vessels in the brain and increases permeability and the propensity for hemorrhagic stroke. 47 , 48

Over the past 30 years, we’ve also seen an explosion of diabetes in Japan, Korea, and China, occurring at a lower body weight than we typically see in America, likely because the cumulative effects of eating more fast food, more oil and sugar, along with all of the white rice (a refined, high glycemic food), which they already had in their diet.

We know that people have the power to change when significant effort and attention is directed to the problems at hand. With good information, emotional support, increased food availability and food preparation instruction, we have found people enthused and willing to work together for change. They don’t have to be convinced of the tragic dangers of fast food; they see the obesity, diabetes, leg amputations, strokes, and blindness all around them. But if people don’t have good information, then they don’t have a choice. If they don’t have access to healthy, affordable food, and they don’t know how to make it taste good, then they are not given a chance to change.

The goal for physicians and other health care professionals is to work to transform America’s inner cities into zones of nutritional excellence. Our nation’s pride and heritage are based on the equal opportunity to achieve the American dream of prosperity and happiness. This critical information needs to be spread and put into action by community activists, teachers, educators, celebrities, health professionals, athletes, and politicians. The more people who know the critical importance of eating healthfully, and the more they take a stand, the greater the effect will be on transforming the health of all in America. By working together, we can save millions of lives.

Acknowledgments

This work was presented at Lifestyle Medicine 2017, October 22-25; Tucson, AZ.

Authors’ Note: The opinions presented in this article are those of the author and may not represent those of the Guest Editor, Editor, or the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Approval: Not applicable, because this article does not contain anystudies with human or animal subjects.

Informed Consent: Not applicable, because this article does not contain anystudies with human or animal subjects.

Trial Registration: Not applicable, because this article does not contain anyclinical trials.

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Essay on Effects of Fast Food on Health

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effects of Fast Food on Health in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Effects of Fast Food on Health

Introduction.

Fast food is popular because it’s convenient and tasty. But, it’s often unhealthy.

Nutritional Content

Fast food is high in calories, salt, and unhealthy fats. It lacks important nutrients like vitamins and fiber.

Obesity Risk

Eating too much fast food can lead to weight gain. This increases the risk of obesity, a serious health problem.

Heart Problems

Fast food’s high fat and salt content can contribute to heart problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease.

250 Words Essay on Effects of Fast Food on Health

Fast food, a staple in today’s hurried society, is often blamed for a variety of health issues. Its impact on health is multifaceted, affecting not only physical well-being but also mental health.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Fast foods are typically high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium while being low in essential nutrients. These nutritional imbalances can lead to deficiencies, which manifest as fatigue, poor concentration, and weakened immune system.

Obesity and Related Diseases

The high calorie content of fast food contributes to obesity, a global health crisis. Obesity, in turn, increases the risk of serious diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Mental Health Implications

Recent research suggests a link between fast food consumption and mental health issues. High sugar and fat content may contribute to depression, while the lack of essential nutrients can exacerbate anxiety and mood disorders.

While fast food offers convenience, its health effects are far-reaching. As consumers, we must make informed choices about our dietary habits, balancing convenience with health. As a society, we must advocate for healthier fast food options and improved nutritional education.

500 Words Essay on Effects of Fast Food on Health

The nutritional profile of fast food.

Fast food is notorious for its high caloric content, saturated and trans fats, sodium, and sugar, while being low in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This skewed nutritional profile contributes to the onset of various health issues.

Obesity and Fast Food

One of the most visible effects of fast food consumption is the rise in obesity rates. The high energy density of fast food, combined with its palatability, promotes overeating. This chronic energy surplus leads to weight gain and obesity. Obesity, in turn, is a risk factor for numerous health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Fast Food and Cardiovascular Health

Impact on digestive and metabolic health.

Fast food’s low fiber content affects digestive health, leading to conditions like constipation and diverticular disease. Also, the high sugar content can lead to insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown a direct correlation between the frequency of fast food consumption and the risk of developing these metabolic disorders.

Effects on Mental Health

Emerging research suggests that fast food may also affect mental health. Diets high in fat and sugar can cause alterations in brain chemistry that lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, the blood sugar spikes and crashes associated with high-sugar fast foods can cause mood swings and impair cognitive function.

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Causes and Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example

Essay about fast food: introduction, causes of fast food: essay body paragraph, effects of fast food: essay body paragraph, fast food causes and effects: conclusion, reference list.

Food is an integral part of any culture and society around the globe. Until the last century, most people used to eat fresh, home-cooked food. Eating was a process that required specific preparations. However, now, we see that they prefer to eat fast food such as pizza, hamburgers, or fried chicken.

These fast-food restaurants have become common on our streets, and people of all ages visit them. The popularity of these restaurants has increased internationally. There are many reasons why fast food has become popular, and fast food also has some serious effects on humans and society.

The basic question is, what made fast food so popular this last century? One answer would be that the change in lifestyle compared to before is a cause for this. It pushes workers or people to eat fast food than cook food themselves.

For instance, two working parents are a good example of this. Due to their jobs, they do not have time to cook for their children or even themselves. As a consequence, they find it easier to order from these fast food restaurants rather than cook. That is why they favor fast food over their own cooked food.

Another cause of fast food usage is long working hours, which may also lead people to eat outside the home. There are many fast-food businesses in our cities. Some are McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc. We can make a long list with hundreds of names from these restaurants.

During the last couple of years, we saw a lot of advertisements and promotions for those restaurants. Nevertheless, there still remains a question of why they spend to promote ineffective food. What are the reasons for this? The answer is that fast food is easy to cook. It does not take long to cook, and it is readily available. The shareholders of these businesses have their own goals, that of the profits they get from these restaurants.

Above, we have seen the causes that may have led to the flourishing of the fast-food industry. However, what is more important, is its effects on society and human beings. The primary effect that fast food has on human beings is that it can get your health in danger status. First, fast food can cause vitamin deficiencies that may, in turn, help to cause diseases.

Obesity is one of the consequences of fast food on the human body. Obesity comes because fast food is the factor that enriches the body with fats. So people will become less healthy, less effective, and less productive, and this is the conclusion of obesity (Adams, 2007, pp. 155).

Another serious effect of the popularity of fast food presences is the loss of the family tradition of eating together. The family used to eat together, and thus they had the opportunity to talk with each other about daily problems.

Fast food also affects the income of the family. The conclusion is that fast food is more expensive than the food you cook for yourself.

In conclusion, it can be said that fast food has been born out of the modern way of living in our societies. Unfortunately, its effects on the human body and health are unfavorable. It also has other adverse effects on the income of a family. It would be best to avoid eating fast foods as much as possible.

Adams, C., 2007. Reframing the obesity debate: McDonald’s role may surprise you. Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, no. 35: pp. 154-157.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Fast Food — Argumentative About Fast Food

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Argumentative About Fast Food

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

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the harmful effects of fast food essay

How to do IELTS

IELTS Essay General Training: Fast Food’s Effect on Lifestyle and Diet

by Dave | General Training | 0 Comment

IELTS Essay General Training: Fast Food’s Effect on Lifestyle and Diet

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of the effect of fast food on lifestyle and diet from the real IELTS exam.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!

IELTS Essay General Training: Strict Teachers

Fast food has become more common in recent years. Some people think that it has a negative effect on lifestyles and diets.

Do you agree or disagree?

Many individuals feel that the widespread proliferation of fast food negatively impacts both lifestyles and eating habits. I am in complete agreement.

Firstly, as a result of fast food consumption, lifestyles are more passive. Before such restaurants, it was more common for consumers to buy raw ingredients and prepare nutritious meals at home. This occurs less often now as fast food offers a cheap, quick alternative. Over time, this can lead to worsening cooking skills and a generally more lethargic lifestyle predicated around ordering meals and watching TV shows and movies. Moreover, the ingredients in fast food are often empty calories that do not provide the vitamins and minerals necessary to support an active lifestyle. A person who eats McDonald’s and KFC most days is more likely to lack energy and be unproductive.

Secondly, fast food is one of the least healthy possible additions to an individual’s diet. Healthy foods tend to be fresh fruits and vegetables and fast food consists largely of preservatives, chemicals and addictive fats, sugars and carbohydrates. Even eating a single fast food meal a day has been shown in numerous independent research studies to increase the risk of diseases ranging from diabetes and cardiovascular disease to cancer and obesity. Fast food companies have recognized this themselves and now offer healthy alternatives such as mini-salads to appeal to an increasingly health conscious public.

In conclusion, the evidence for the negative impact of fast foods is nearly irrefutable as it encourages a more sedentary lifestyle and is high in harmful fats and sugars. Whenever possible, individuals should resist the immediate gratification of fast food.

1. Many individuals feel that the widespread proliferation of fast food negatively impacts both lifestyles and eating habits. 2. I am in complete agreement.

  • Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  • Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here .

1. Firstly, as a result of fast food consumption, lifestyles are more passive. 2. Before such restaurants, it was more common for consumers to buy raw ingredients and prepare nutritious meals at home. 3. This occurs less often now as fast food offers a cheap, quick alternative. 4. Over time, this can lead to worsening cooking skills and a generally more lethargic lifestyle predicated around ordering meals and watching TV shows and movies. 5. Moreover, the ingredients in fast food are often empty calories that do not provide the vitamins and minerals necessary to support an active lifestyle. 6. A person who eats McDonald’s and KFC most days is more likely to lack energy and be unproductive.

  • Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  • Explain your main idea.
  • Develop it with specific examples.
  • Keep developing it fully.
  • Stay focused on the same main idea.
  • Finish with a strong statement.

1. Secondly, fast food is one of the least healthy possible additions to an individual’s diet. 2. Healthy foods tend to be fresh fruits and vegetables and fast food consists largely of preservatives, chemicals and addictive fats, sugars and carbohydrates. 3. Even eating a single fast food meal a day has been shown in numerous independent research studies to increase the risk of diseases ranging from diabetes and cardiovascular disease to cancer and obesity. 4. Fast food companies have recognized this themselves and now offer healthy alternatives such as mini-salads to appeal to an increasingly health conscious public.

  • Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  • Explain your new main idea.
  • Include specific details and examples.
  • Continue developing it fully!

1. In conclusion, the evidence for the negative impact of fast foods is nearly irrefutable as it encourages a more sedentary lifestyle and is high in harmful fats and sugars. 2. Whenever possible, individuals should resist the immediate gratification of fast food.

  • Summarise your main ideas.
  • Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here .

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many individuals feel that the widespread proliferation of fast food negatively impacts both lifestyles and eating habits . I am in complete agreement .

Firstly , as a result of fast food consumption , lifestyles are more passive . Before such restaurants , it was more common for consumers to buy raw ingredients and prepare nutritious meals at home . This occurs less often now as fast food offers a cheap , quick alternative . Over time , this can lead to worsening cooking skills and a generally more lethargic lifestyle predicated around ordering meals and watching TV shows and movies. Moreover , the ingredients in fast food are often empty calories that do not provide the vitamins and minerals necessary to support an active lifestyle. A person who eats McDonald’s and KFC most days is more likely to lack energy and be unproductive .

Secondly , fast food is one of the least healthy possible additions to an individual’s diet . Healthy foods tend to be fresh fruits and vegetables and fast food consists largely of preservatives , chemicals and addictive fats, sugars and carbohydrates . Even eating a single fast food meal a day has been shown in numerous independent research studies to increase the risk of diseases ranging from diabetes and cardiovascular disease to cancer and obesity . Fast food companies have recognized this themselves and now offer healthy alternatives such as mini-salads to appeal to an increasingly health conscious public .

In conclusion, the evidence for the negative impact of fast foods is nearly irrefutable as it encourages a more sedentary lifestyle and is high in harmful fats and sugars. Whenever possible , individuals should resist the immediate gratification of fast food.

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

widespread proliferation more and more common

fast food KFC, McDonald’s, Lotteria, etc.

negatively impacts hurts a lot

lifestyles the way that people life

eating habits diets

I am in complete agreement I 100% agree

firstly the first point is that

as a result of the leads to

consumption eating

passive not active

before such restaurants priorly these establishments

common happens a lot

raw ingredients not yet cooked

prepare nutritious meals make healthy foods

at home in the house

occurs happens

offers makes available

cheap inexpensive

quick alternative fast other option

over time over a period of time

lead to causes

worsening getting worse

cooking skills how good you are at cooking

generally overall

lethargic lazy, passive

predicated around focused on

ordering meals getting food delivered

moreover also

empty calories not nutritious foods

provide give

vitamins health nutrients

minerals healthy parts of foods

support aid

active not passive

most days typically

lack energy feel lazy

unproductive not active

secondly also

least healthy possible additions not a nutritious new food to eat

diet eating habits

tend to be normally

fresh fruits and vegetables apples, oranges, broccoli, onions, etc.

consists largely made up mostly of

preservatives chemicals that keep foods good

chemicals additives in foods

addictive make you want to keep eating them

sugars sweet foods

carbohydrates breads, pasta, rice

single fast food meal a day once a day eating fast food

numerous independent research studies many papers

increase the risk make it more likely

diseases conditions

ranging from including

diabetes disease related to eating too much sugar

cardiovascular disease heart disease

cancer a common disease

obesity being overweight

offer make available

alternatives different options

mini-salads small salads

appeal attract

increasingly health conscious public more and more caring about health

evidence support

nearly irrefutable almost definitely true

encourages motivates

sedentary passive

high elevated

harmful injurious

whenever possible if it can be done

resist hold out

immediate gratification feeling pleasure right away

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search :

ˈwaɪdsprɛd prəʊˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən   fɑːst fuːd   ˈnɛgətɪvli ˈɪmpækts   ˈlaɪfˌstaɪlz   ˈiːtɪŋ ˈhæbɪts aɪ æm ɪn kəmˈpliːt əˈgriːmənt ˈfɜːstli æz ə rɪˈzʌlt ɒv   kənˈsʌm(p)ʃən ˈpæsɪv bɪˈfɔː sʌʧ ˈrɛstrɒnts ˈkɒmən   rɔː ɪnˈgriːdiənts   prɪˈpeə nju(ː)ˈtrɪʃəs miːlz   æt həʊm əˈkɜːz   ˈɒfəz   ʧiːp kwɪk ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv ˈəʊvə taɪm liːd tuː   ˈwɜːsnɪŋ   ˈkʊkɪŋ skɪlz   ˈʤɛnərəli   lɛˈθɑːʤɪk   ˈprɛdɪkeɪtɪd əˈraʊnd   ˈɔːdərɪŋ miːlz   mɔːˈrəʊvə ˈɛmpti ˈkæləriz   prəˈvaɪd   ˈvɪtəmɪnz   ˈmɪnərəlz   səˈpɔːt   ˈæktɪv   məʊst deɪz   læk ˈɛnəʤi   ˌʌnprəˈdʌktɪv ˈsɛkəndli liːst ˈhɛlθi ˈpɒsəbl əˈdɪʃ(ə)nz   ˈdaɪət tɛnd tuː biː   frɛʃ fruːts ænd ˈvɛʤtəb(ə)lz   kənˈsɪsts ˈlɑːʤli   prɪˈzɜːvətɪvz ˈkɛmɪkəlz   əˈdɪktɪv   ˈʃʊgəz   ˈkɑːbəʊˈhaɪdreɪts ˈsɪŋgl fɑːst fuːd miːl ə deɪ   ˈnjuːmərəs ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt rɪˈsɜːʧ ˈstʌdiz   ˈɪnkriːs ðə rɪsk   dɪˈziːzɪz   ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm   ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz   ˌkɑːdɪəʊˈvæskjʊlə dɪˈziːz   ˈkænsə   əʊˈbiːsɪti ˈɒfə   ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvz   ˈmɪnɪ-ˈsælədz   əˈpiːl   ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli hɛlθ ˈkɒnʃəs ˈpʌblɪk ˈɛvɪdəns   ˈnɪəli ɪˈrɛfjʊtəbl   ɪnˈkʌrɪʤɪz   ˈsɛdntəri   haɪ   ˈhɑːmfʊl   wɛnˈɛvə ˈpɒsəbl rɪˈzɪst   ɪˈmiːdiət ˌgrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən  

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many individuals feel that the w_________________________n of f___________d n___________________s both l____________s and e________________s . I______________________________t .

F__________y , a____________f fast food c_______________n , lifestyles are more p__________e . B________________________s , it was more c_________n for consumers to buy r____________________s and p_________________________s a______________e . This o_________s less often now as fast food o_______s a c________p , q____________________e . O__________e , this can l_________o w_______________________s and a g__________y more l__________c lifestyle p_____________________d o_______________s and watching TV shows and movies. M____________r , the ingredients in fast food are often e________________s that do not p__________e the v___________s and m__________s necessary to s___________t an a________e lifestyle. A person who eats McDonald’s and KFC m____________s is more likely to l______________y and be u_________________e .

S____________y , fast food is one of the l___________________________s to an individual’s d______t . Healthy foods t_____________e f______________________________s and fast food c________________y of p________________s , c_____________s and a___________e fats, s_________s and c__________________s . Even eating a s____________________________y has been shown in n__________________________________s to i_________________k of d_________________________m d____________s and c___________________e to c__________r and o_________y . Fast food companies have recognized this themselves and now o______r healthy a_______________s such as m____________s to a__________l to an i____________________________________c .

In conclusion, the e__________e for the negative impact of fast foods is n____________________e as it e_______________s a more s___________y lifestyle and is h_____h in h__________l fats and sugars. W____________________e , individuals should r__________t the i____________________________n of fast food.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the funny video below and practice with these activities :

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice :

https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahloewentheil/heres-what-your-favorite-fast-food-chains-serve-around-the

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

  • What kinds of foods do you like to eat?
  • How different is food in your country today from when you were younger?
  • Which foods do you dislike?
  • What foods do people in your country buy at the market?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:

In many countries, traditional foods are being replaced by fast food. This has a negative impact on families, individuals and society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Traditional Foods and Fast Food

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The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test

Updated On September 23, 2024

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In the TOEFL iBT®exam, candidates are evaluated on various abilities, placing particular importance on their communication skills. Among the test sections, the Writing Section is particularly significant, requiring diverse skills from TOEFL examinees. With this practice test, you would be able to enhance your writing abilities, concentrating specifically on the Integrated Writing task of the TOEFL test. It aims to assist you in understanding task instructions, structuring responses effectively, and enhancing your performance in the TOEFL Writing segment. So, let's start your journey towards attaining your desired TOEFL score!

Writing Instructions

  • You'll read a passage and listen to a lecture on an academic topic.
  • You may take notes while listening to aid comprehension.
  • Then you will write a response to a question that asks you about the r lecture you heard. 
  • Answer the question comprehensively using information from the lecture. Avoid expressing personal opinions in the response.
  • There is no strict word limit. However, an effective response is considered to be within 150 to 225 words.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health

The widespread eating of fast food has serious negative effects on public health. One major concern is the high calorie content of fast food meals, which often leads to obesity. Fast food items are typically rich in fats, sugars, and salts, leading to too much calorie intake. For example, a single fast food meal can have more calories than the recommended daily intake for an average adult. This can cause weight gain and related health problems. Another issue is the poor nutrition of fast food. These meals often lack essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Instead, they are full of unhealthy ingredients that can cause various health issues. Regular eating of fast food has been linked to a higher risk of long-term diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The lack of good nutrition in fast food diets can weaken the immune system and reduce overall health.

Fast food eating also promotes unhealthy eating habits. The ease and cost of fast food make it an attractive option for many people, especially those with busy lifestyles. However, this ease comes at a cost. Frequent eating of fast food can lead to a preference for unhealthy, processed foods over healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This change in food choices can have long-term harmful effects on public health. Also, the marketing strategies used by fast food companies often target at-risk groups, including children and low-income families. Heavy advertising and ads make fast food seem appealing and accessible. This further worsens its negative impact on public health. These marketing tactics can influence food choices and add to the growing public health crisis related to poor nutrition and obesity.

Now play the Audio.

Provide a brief summary of the lecture's main ideas and describe the various manners in which the lecturer questions some of the reading passage's claims.

 Response Time: 20 minutes 

Transcript of the Audio of the Lecture on ‘The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health’

Professor: While the negative impacts of fast food on public health are often highlighted, there are some other points worth considering. Fast food can be part of a balanced diet if eaten in balance. Not all fast food items are unhealthy. Many chains now offer healthier options such as salads, grilled chicken, and fruit. These choices can provide essential nutrients and fit into a balanced diet when chosen wisely. The issue of high calorie content is valid, but it is also important to consider controlling portion sizes and overall eating habits. People can manage their calorie intake by choosing smaller portions or sharing meals. Also, treating yourself to fast food does not necessarily lead to obesity or long-term diseases if balanced with regular physical activity and a generally healthy diet.

About the nutrition, it is true that traditional fast food items often lack essential nutrients. But the fast food industry has been responding to public demand for healthier options. Many restaurants now provide nutrition facts and offer meals that include vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. This shift can help consumers make more informed and healthier choices. The argument about unhealthy eating habits is also complicated. Fast food can be easy for busy individuals, but it does not have to replace healthier home-cooked meals entirely. People can use fast food as an occasional ease without it becoming a staple of their diet. Teaching and knowing about balanced eating can reduce the negative effects of fast food eating.

Sample Responses for the Integrated Writing Task on ‘The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health’

This section provides a thorough evaluation of various responses, including both High-level and Mid-level answers. Through a detailed review of these responses, you can identify areas that need improvement to attain your target score in the TOEFL.

High-Level Response 

The reading passage discusses the negative effects of fast food on public health, highlighting issues such as high calorie content, poor nutrition, unhealthy eating habits, and targeted marketing. However, the lecture presents counterarguments to these points. Firstly, while the reading emphasizes the high calorie content of fast food leading to obesity, the lecture argues that fast food can be part of a balanced diet if eaten in moderation. Many fast food chains now offer healthier options like salads and grilled chicken, which can provide essential nutrients when chosen wisely.

Secondly, the reading claims that fast food lacks essential nutrients and is linked to long-term diseases. However, the lecture points out that the fast food industry has been responding to public demand for healthier options. Many restaurants now provide nutrition facts and offer meals that include vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins, helping consumers make more informed choices. Thirdly, the reading suggests that fast food promotes unhealthy eating habits. In contrast, the lecture argues that fast food can be convenient for busy individuals without replacing healthier home-cooked meals entirely. People can use fast food as an occasional convenience, and education about balanced eating can mitigate its negative effects.

Lastly, the reading highlights the marketing strategies of fast food companies targeting at-risk groups. However, the lecture does not directly address this point but implies that informed choices and moderation can reduce the impact of such marketing. In summary, while the reading passage presents a negative view of fast food's impact on public health, the lecture provides counterarguments that suggest fast food can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation and with informed choices.

Rater’s Comment 

This response effectively summarizes the main points from both the reading and the lecture, demonstrating a clear understanding of the material. The essay is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point from the reading and its corresponding counterargument from the lecture. The writer uses appropriate transitions, such as "Firstly," "Secondly," and "Lastly," to guide the reader through the essay, ensuring coherence and logical flow. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, avoiding direct copying and showcasing the writer's ability to convey ideas in their own words. For example, the writer rephrases the reading's point about the high calorie content of fast food and the lecture's counterpoint about moderation and healthier options.

The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. This adherence to the task requirements is crucial for a high-scoring response. Additionally, the writer demonstrates strong control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not affect meaning. The response is concise, staying within the word limit, and effectively communicates the key points from both the reading and the lecture. Overall, this response meets all the criteria for a high score, including presenting all key information, maintaining coherence and organization, and demonstrating good language control.

Mid-Level Response 

The reading passage talks about the negative effects of fast food on public health, like high calorie content, poor nutrition, unhealthy eating habits, and targeted marketing. But the lecture gives some counterarguments to these points. First, the reading says that fast food has high calorie content leading to obesity. But the lecture says that fast food can be part of a balanced diet if eaten in moderation. Many fast food chains now offer healthier options like salads and grilled chicken.

Second, the reading mentions that fast food lacks essential nutrients and is linked to long-term diseases. However, the lecture argues that the fast food industry has been responding to public demand for healthier options. Many restaurants now provide nutrition facts and offer meals that include vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. Third, the reading suggests that fast food promotes unhealthy eating habits. But the lecture points out that fast food can be convenient for busy individuals without replacing healthier home-cooked meals entirely. People can use fast food as an occasional convenience, and education about balanced eating can reduce its negative effects. 

Lastly, the reading highlights the marketing strategies of fast food companies targeting at-risk groups. However, the lecture does not directly address this point but implies that informed choices and moderation can reduce the impact of such marketing.

This response provides a summary of the main points from both the reading and the lecture, but it has some limitations that affect its overall quality. The essay is generally well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific point from the reading and its corresponding counterargument from the lecture. However, there are some coherence and organization issues that make the response less effective. The writer uses simple transitions like "First," "Second," and "Lastly," which help guide the reader but could be more varied to enhance the flow of the essay. The response accurately paraphrases the information from both sources, but there are some grammatical errors that hinder comprehension. For example, the sentence "But the lecture says that fast food can be part of a balanced diet if eaten in moderation" could be improved for clarity.

The essay maintains objectivity, focusing on summarizing the relationship between the reading and the lecture without expressing personal opinions. This adherence to the task requirements is crucial for a mid-level score. The writer demonstrates some control over grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, but there are noticeable errors that affect the overall quality. For instance, the sentence "People can use fast food as an occasional convenience, and education about balanced eating can reduce its negative effects" could be rephrased for better clarity. Overall, this response meets some of the criteria for a mid-level score, including relating key points from both the reading and the lecture and maintaining coherence and organization. However, the grammatical errors and occasional lapses in clarity prevent it from achieving a higher score.

Strategies for Taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Influence of Fast Food on Public Health

Here are the strategies for taking the Integrated Writing Task on the Influence of Fast Food on Public Health :

  • Read the passage carefully, taking concise notes on key points.
  • Listen actively to the lecture, and evaluate its relationship to the reading.
  • Begin your response by clearly stating how the lecture relates to the reading.
  • Explain any contradictions or connections between the reading and lecture.
  • Incorporate the given information from both sources throughout your essay.
  • Use clear transitions for information from each source to make a point.

Additional Reads:

  • TOEFL iBT Integrated: Gain the Ability to Comprehend Information and Express Thoughts in Writing
  • Important Discoveries and Inventions - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
  • Social Media - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
  • Eco-Certified - TOEFL Writing Integrated Test
  • Writing Integrated

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Essay About Fast Food | Bad Effects of Junk Food and Disadvantages of Fast food

October 14, 2021 by Prasanna

Essay About Fast Food: Food is a significant piece of any culture and society all throughout the planet. Until the last century, a great many people used to eat new, home-prepared food. Eating was a cycle that necessary certain arrangements. However, presently, we see that they like to eat Fast food like pizza, burgers or seared chicken.

A sort of mass-delivered food, intended for business resale is known as Fast food. In this kind of food thing, a solid need is given to ‘speed of administration’ over some other pertinent variables engaged with culinary science.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Fast food is a kind of food that is intended to convey the request in the speediest manner conceivable accessible at any eating joint. Fast food varieties were created to make the course of food filling in as smooth as could be expected, and it to be sure has had the option to fulfil its needs in the most ideal ways conceivable.

Short Essay on Fast Food 400 Words in English

Life today has become quick and way of life changes have made individuals dependent on food and eatables that can be promptly made. Fast food is the name authored for such food things which are either pre-cooked or can be cooked in lesser time than ordinary food.

Individuals think that it is advantageous to eat such food things which please the taste buds more than standard food. They contain more salts, sugar and no or extremely less dietary fibre except for having flavours that make them more agreeable. Fast food things have no health benefit and are incredibly unfortunate. Yet at the same time, Fast food things are famous as individuals discover it bothers allowed to get ready and burn-through.

Fast food sources have a few incidental effects. The most prompt influence is on the energy levels that arrive at its top on eating Fast food. The compulsion to have more as one eats a fast tidbit is an aftereffect of this spike in energy levels. The energy levels some of the time stay high and cause rest problems. Tiredness sets in and the capacity to focus lessen after the utilization of Fast food. This is on the grounds that it has an overabundance of oil and calories and isn’t difficult to process.

Causes of Fast Food or Junk Food Essay

The term ‘Fast food’ itself says a great deal regarding this food. It shows how it is unsafe for our well-being. Besides, Fast foods are essentially junk which hurts our bodies in various ways. They have undeniable degrees of cholesterol, sugar, calories and the sky is the limit from there. We perceive how these days, the more youthful age is getting enjoying increasingly more Fast food. This is placing their lives at serious risk and giving them an unfortunate way of life.

Why is fast food famous?

Individuals are utilizing manipulative approaches to allure individuals to purchase their Fast food. Fast food is arranged without any problem. It requires some investment to plan it as it doesn’t have any nutritious ingredients. junk food is truly sensible. As it doesn’t need any solid material, it isn’t so expensive. Above all, Fast food has become entirely open now, like never before. With the beginning of various food conveyance applications, you would now be able to get Fast food with a solitary snap.

One issue is the developing number of drive-through joints and their commercials. We discover them all over; out and about, on taxicabs and transports, on bulletins, on structures and different spots. Additionally, we don’t need to go to their eateries to get their food since they currently have their conveyance hotlines. It builds the number of individuals eating Fast food on the grounds that a great many people like it better when their food comes to them rather than the harder, conventional method of sitting and eating at a café.

Essay on Fast Food

Terrible Effects of Junk food

The significant attribute of Fast food is that it spikes the energy levels immediately. It doesn’t actually help your body, simply fulfils your taste buds. On the off chance that we consume Fast food consistently, we get cranky all the more regularly.

In addition, customary utilization of Fast food causes a drop in the fixation levels of an individual. This is the reason we perceive how kids these days are quickly flustered. Additionally, you may likewise see how heftiness becoming normal nowadays. It is an extremely ongoing illness which is just improved by eating Fast food.

Further, you may likewise see how Fast food builds circulatory strain and sugar. An individual gets more inclined to heart sicknesses because of the swelling items utilized in it. Likewise, Fast food isn’t difficult to process. This may progressively harm your cerebrum work since it makes an absence of oxygen levels.

Fast food doesn’t just harm the heart yet the liver also. It causes diabetes among individuals since the beginning. Also, the absence of strands in Fast food equivalents to a harmed stomach related framework. This might cause obstruction also.

Thusly, we perceive how Fast food organizations are tricking individuals. They are misdirecting them into devouring their Fast food to expand their deals. Accordingly, we should try to understand this reality at the earliest opportunity. Attempt to supplant Fast food with good food. Set up your dinners at home as opposed to requesting outside.

Ultimately, drive-through eateries furnish our food with food content that gives us very little nutritious substance. They utilize exceptionally modest fixings which make Fast food contain high measures of sodium, cholesterol, fat and calories which can cause certain sicknesses like weight, hypertension, and other heart illnesses.

FAQ’s on Essay About Fast Food

Question 1. What is fast food?

Answer: Fast food is the name authored for food things that are either accessible pre-cooked or can be cooked in a lesser time than normal food. Individuals think that it is alluring and helpful to eat such food things however they see fit taste buds more than normal food.

Question 2. Is fast food good for health?

Answer: Having fast food regularly can be very harmful to your health especially for your heart. Fast food is the most effortless approach to put on unfortunate weight. The measure of fats and sugar in the food makes you put on weight quickly. Notwithstanding, this is certainly not a sound weight.

Question 3. Why is fast food so popular?

Answer: It is ready and served rapidly. Individuals don’t have to sit tight for the creation of food. Individuals can have their dinner in a brief timeframe and save time to do another thing. It is advantageous, so individuals decide to eat Fast food.

Question 4. What are the causes of fast food?

  • Fast food high in sodium can prompt expanded cerebral pains and headache
  • Fast food high in carbs can trigger episodes of skin inflammation
  • Eating extreme measures of Fast food might expand your danger of melancholy
  • The carbs and sugar in Fast food varieties can prompt dental pits
  • Singed food sources are loaded up with trans fats which raise LDL cholesterol levels
  • Fast food is loaded up with void carbs, which can prompt expanded glucose and insulin opposition
  • Expanded sodium levels can prompt your body to hold inordinate water, prompting bulging
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Fast Food Argumentative Essay

fast-food-essay

The debate on eating fast foods has gained momentum in the recent years with many people advocating against them. There are those who argue that people should not be told to avoid fast foods because they have the right to eat what they want and are responsible for their lives. On the other hand, those against eating fast foods assert that some of the practices and contents related to fast foods are health hazards and people do not know such facts. As such, they educate the public on such hazards. Although people have the right to eat what they want, they should be fair to their bodies and avoid eating harmful substances. Although fast food restaurants make delicious food, they should be avoided because they are harmful to human health.

Harmful effects of fast food

The harmful effects of fast foods to the human health come from the way the food is prepared. Research has shown that the livestock that is slaughtered to supply beef to the fast foods is concentrated into feedlots before being taken through the meat processing assembly lines (Schlosser 23). Most employees in these processing lines are poorly trained and may contaminate the meat, leading to food poisoning. Moreover, the majority of fast foods cook their meals in beef tallow, which has a high concentration of saturated fats. These fats have been found to be a leading cause of heart diseases. The tight schedules at fast food restaurants limit their chances of training their employees on proper food handling practices and procedures. In addition, the high turnover rate in these restaurants discourages training because it seems like wasting financial resources on employees who are likely to leave for another establishment. The overall effect of this is that most of those who handle food are unqualified, which increases the chances of food contamination.

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Harmful wrappers containing PAPs

Many fast food restaurants wrap their food with wrappers containing polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs), which prevent grease in the food from leaking. These compounds sometimes migrate into the wrapped food and get ingested. Although there are no known effects on human health, the compounds have been found harmful when ingested by rodents. Since many experiments relating to humans are tested using rats, any such adverse effect is likely to cause harm to humans. Therefore, the wrappers are feared to be agents of harmful compounds that may harm the human health. Even when the food has no harmful substances, the fact that much fast food lack permanent employees with experience and expertise can lead to food contamination. Food preparation requires care because even mixing vegetable equipment with meat equipment can be fatal to the customers. Given the busy schedules in the fast foods and the ever-changing workforce, maintaining high standards of hazard prevention is difficult.

healthy food wrappers

Why is meat used in fast food considered being dangerous?

The second hazard of eating fast foods comes from the content of their food. For instance, the meat used in these fast foods comes from animals that have gone through unhealthy conditions. Prior to slaughtering, the animals are concentrated in small spaces and cannot rest, but stand. As a result of the overcrowding, the animals are likely to get sick. To avoid incidences of sickness, the animals are injected with high levels of antibiotics that end up in the meat sold in fast foods (Watson 56). Since the anti-bacterial drugs are given to the animals just before they are slaughtered, they are never metabolized properly. To make matters worse, the fast foods have very busy schedules and customer demands. As a result, they cook food at a fast rate to keep pace with the increasing customers. This haste prevents food from being cooked completely, which may lead to the antibiotics not being neutralized. Consequently, those who consume such food get food poisoning and may die if treatment is not sought swiftly. Apart from contamination originating from the antibiotics, animals for fast foods are required tender. To ensure this requirement is met, many of the animals and birds are slaughtered while young. Since the people who rear them sell on a weight basis, they must balance between weight and young age. Therefore, these animals are fed with food injected with growth hormones. During the time of slaughter, these hormones circulate within the animal bodies and transfer into humans upon consumption. These hormones are harmful to people's health and interfere with the natural functioning of the body.

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The food sold in fast foods has been found to contain high levels of calories and low fiber content

These conditions are the causes of obesity, which has become a challenge to both the government and healthcare providers. A research conducted by Pediatrics established that, on any given day, 30.3% of children between the age of four to nineteen eat from fast foods (Gulum and Serpil 45). Those who ate fast foods were found to eat less fiber, non-starchy vegetables and fruits.

fast food effects on children

These results concluded that children who ate fast foods were likely to get obese compared to those who avoided fast foods. Obesity has been found to lead to other illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These diseases cost a lot of money and strain economies through treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is essential that the factors that lead to them should be avoided, which means avoiding fast foods.

Fast foods that serve both Muslims and Jews have to conform to the requirements of their religious principles

During the slaughtering process, animals may be subjected to cruelty since slaughtering methods differ significantly. According to the two religions, the animals must be cut using a sharp object on the neck to drain out the blood. It is prohibited to eat meat with blood inside. Since fast foods must satisfy their customers, they may result to using meat that has been killed using this method. Animals have rights, just like human beings. They deserve reduced pain when being slaughtered, which is a dignified way of treating them. Therefore, such fast foods promote an inhumane way of killing animals, which results in inhumane treatment. On the other hand, the procedures that are conventionally allowed for killing animals to be used as food include electrocution or hitting it with a bolt to the head. These methods, which are used, for slaughtering animals used in fast foods is considered dangerous to human health. Blood is considered a medium in which many disease-causing organisms thrive (Yeager 45). Therefore, it is crucial to drain it from the meat meant for consumption. However, in the conventional fast foods, animals are killed before opening them up, which means that most of the blood is left intact. If there were parasites inside the animal that resided in the blood, they are likely to be transferred to the food sold by the fast foods. Although the meat slaughtered using these means is sold by other hotels and butchers, it is safer than that sold by the fast foods because they get a chance to cook fully. For instance, people who buy meat for their consumption at home ensure that it is fully cooked before consumption. Therefore, the risk of getting sick due to parasites in the meat is reduced. In contrast, fast foods rarely allow meat, and other types of food to cook fully because of time constraints and the costs associated with prolonged cooking.

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In conclusion, eating at fast foods is undesirable as it is harmful to human health and treats animals unfairly. The unhealthy conditions of food in fast foods arise from poor preparation, inadequate skills in processing the food and high-calorie content. Therefore, people should avoid eating at fast foods for the sake of their health and promoting dignified treatment of animals.

References:

  • Amid mounting evidence that plastic food wrap harbours a host of toxins, even doctors are urging people to stop using it
  • Gulum, Servet, and Serpil, Sumnu. Advances in Deep-Fat Frying of Foods. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2010. Print.
  • Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001. Print.
  • Watson, Stephanie. Fast Food. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2008. Print.
  • Yeager, Selene. The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Latest Findings on the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems - From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers and Yeast Infections. California: Rodale Books, 2008. Print.

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The Fast Food Industry Essay

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Introduction

Fast food harms people’s health, fast food affects people’s lifestyles, fast food industry is not solely responsible, works cited.

People keep talking about negative effects of fast food on people’s health. Lots of people claim that the growth of the rate of obese people correlates with the growth of fast food chains in the region. For instance, it is now believed that the American ways and lifestyles are spreading worldwide which leads to the increase of obese people (“Globesity” n.p.).

At the same time, there are people who agree that fast food restaurant chains contribute to the change of lifestyles and eating behaviors, but they are not totally responsible (Zollinger-Read n.p.). It is possible to consider a number of central issues concerning fast food to understand whether fast food industry is totally responsible for the change in eating behaviors and lifestyles.

Admittedly, lots of people find fast food tasty and quite cheap. Hence, it is an easy way to eat as one does not need to spend time cooking and washing up. Therefore, fast food saves a lot of time, which is really important for a contemporary hectic life.

However, they often ignore the fact that this food contains a lot of calories. It has been acknowledged that fast food restaurants have come up with less fatty foods, but they are still far from being healthy due to fatty sauces (Zollinger-Read n.p.). Moreover, people often do not even realize the amount of calories they consume.

It is also believed that fans of fast food restaurants are often prone to unhealthy lifestyles as these people consume a lot of calories but do not take enough exercise. People also believe that the fast food industry heavily markets its products and promotes unhealthy lifestyles (Schlosser 9). Thus, people of the first part of the twentieth century used to eat at home and have active lives, but contemporary people do not have time to live healthier.

Of course, the fast food industry uses media to market its products and many people say that it is wrong as these commercials make people live unhealthy lives (Schlosser 46). However, it follows that media share this responsibility. Obviously, media have become an important tool of affecting people’s choices.

Some people say that officials should affect the spread of fast food restaurants as they are harmful (Schlosser 244). Nonetheless, fast food restaurants are not something people are forced to attend. There are lots of smokers in the world even though all people know about the harm of smoking. Likewise, it is well known that fast food is harmful but people still make their choice and eat it. Thus, people are the ones who are solely responsible for their eating habits and lifestyles.

Therefore, it is important to understand that fast food industry is not solely responsible for the change. It is possible to note that popularity and unprecedented success of the fast food industry is a reflection of trends existing in the society. People try to save time, and they stop cooking and eating at home as it is faster, cheaper and easier to get some food from a local fast food restaurant. Of course, fast food industry has certain impact on people’s eating habits, but still each person is responsible for his/her health.

Globesity: US Junk Food Industry Tips Global Scales 2013. Web.

Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal , New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print.

Zollinger-Read, Paul. “Is It Time Fast Food Restaurants Became More Responsible?” The Guardian. 2013. Web.

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  • Causes and Effects of Fast Food: Reputation for Unhealthy Eating
  • Schlosser's Articles
  • Food and Its Influence on America
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  • The Consequences of Fast Food
  • Food: How Technology Has Changed the Way We Eat?
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COMMENTS

  1. The Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example

    Negative Effects of Fast Food: Essay Introduction. Consumption of fast food is believed to have negative impact on physical and psychological health. Fast food is rich in glycemic load and energy densities. When consumed in excessive portions it contributes to the escalation of obesity, digestive problems, and depression.

  2. Cause and Effect of Fast Food: the Impact on Health and Society

    The effects of fast food on physical health are notable. Fast food is often high in calories, saturated fats, sodium, and sugars, contributing to the rise in obesity rates and related health issues. Regular consumption of fast food is linked to weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

  3. The Hidden Dangers of Fast and Processed Food

    Because of the limited access to supermarkets, they eat more unhealthy fast and processed foods and end up having 7 times the risk of early-life stroke (before age 45), putting people in nursing homes in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. 4 - 7. The vulnerable poor in these areas also have double the risk of heart attack, double the risk of diabetes, and ...

  4. Essay on Effects of Fast Food on Health

    One of the most visible effects of fast food consumption is the rise in obesity rates. The high energy density of fast food, combined with its palatability, promotes overeating. This chronic energy surplus leads to weight gain and obesity. Obesity, in turn, is a risk factor for numerous health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes ...

  5. Causes and Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example

    First, fast food can cause vitamin deficiencies that may, in turn, help to cause diseases. Obesity is one of the consequences of fast food on the human body. Obesity comes because fast food is the factor that enriches the body with fats. So people will become less healthy, less effective, and less productive, and this is the conclusion of ...

  6. Fast Food Effects on Human Health

    Abstract. Fast food poses a profound negative impact on health due to the dynamic preparation means and the reliance on carbohydrates. Apart from the reuse of oils, a significant percentage of junk lacks a balanced diet for consumers. The phenomenon results in the ideological perspectives of increased obesity and the emergence of lifestyle ...

  7. The Fast Food Industry: Its Impact on Public Health and Society

    Fast food has been a staple of the American diet since the early 1900s, and it has rapidly expanded over the past few decades. While fast food restaurants offer affordable and convenient meals, their impact on public health and society has been a subject of debate. This essay investigates the history and growth of the fast food industry, its impact on public health and society, the ...

  8. Does excessive fast-food consumption impair our health?

    The results showed clinically meaningful increases, such as 3.9 units of BMI and 9.4 cm of waist circumference, in the fully controlled models. The odds for increased risk of associated metabolic fatty liver disease were quite substantial, rising from a risk of 2.03 to 5.18 from the lowest to the highest measure of fast-food consumption.

  9. Here's How Fast Food Can Affect Your Body

    Drive up your cholesterol. Food that's fried in oil is high in fat — and that includes saturated fat. Eating too much saturated fat can drive up your LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, which puts ...

  10. The Consequences of Fast Food

    Effects of Fast Food. The following are the summarized effects of indulging in fast foods (Freiboth 1): Fast foods increase our appetite by making us eat more than we should. This is because of the high energy density content it has. The amount of calories gained from eating at fast food restaurants like McDonald's, KFC or Burger King, leads ...

  11. The Harmful Effects of Fast Food

    However, the consumption of fast food has led to numerous negative effects on our health and well-being. In this argumentative essay, we will explore the harmful effects of fast food and present compelling reasons for individuals to reconsider their dietary choices. Through an analysis of language usage, grammatical structures, and literary ...

  12. The Rise of Fast Food: Causes and Effects

    Fast Food Causes and Effects: Conclusion. In conclusion, the rise of fast food is a direct consequence of the modern lifestyle prevalent in our societies. Unfortunately, its effects on human health and well-being are overwhelmingly negative. Additionally, it disrupts important family traditions and imposes financial burdens on households.

  13. Argumentative About Fast Food: [Essay Example], 532 words

    Get original essay. One of the most significant drawbacks of fast food is its detrimental effect on our health. Fast food is often high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sugar, leading to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Studies have shown that regular consumption of fast food is associated with higher body mass index ...

  14. IELTS Essay General Training: Fast Food's Effect on Lifestyle and Diet

    Stay focused on the same main idea. Finish with a strong statement. 1. Secondly, fast food is one of the least healthy possible additions to an individual's diet. 2. Healthy foods tend to be fresh fruits and vegetables and fast food consists largely of preservatives, chemicals and addictive fats, sugars and carbohydrates.

  15. The Influence of Fast Food on Public Health

    The widespread eating of fast food has serious negative effects on public health. One major concern is the high calorie content of fast food meals, which often leads to obesity. Fast food items are typically rich in fats, sugars, and salts, leading to too much calorie intake. ... The essay is well-organized, with each paragraph addressing a ...

  16. An opinion essay about fast food

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    Essay About Fast Food: ... Terrible Effects of Junk food. The significant attribute of Fast food is that it spikes the energy levels immediately. It doesn't actually help your body, simply fulfils your taste buds. ... Having fast food regularly can be very harmful to your health especially for your heart. Fast food is the most effortless ...

  20. Fast Food Industry: Arguments for and Against Essay

    Arguments for the Fast Food Industry. According to Smith (2006, p. 55), fast food industry is one of the fastest developing industries not only in the developed nations but also in the developing world. This scholar argues that for the last one decade, there has been over 70% growth of this industry worldwide.

  21. Argumentative Essay on Harmful Effects of Fast Food

    The harmful effects of fast foods to the human health come from the way the food is prepared. Research has shown that the livestock that is slaughtered to supply beef to the fast foods is concentrated into feedlots before being taken through the meat processing assembly lines (Schlosser 23). Most employees in these processing lines are poorly ...

  22. Fast Foods: The Harmful Effects Of Fast Food

    Even though this essay is only limited to the U.S, it can partly show the effects of fast food on human, the impact people's choices have on their declining health. It is undeniable that fast food has a negative effect on human health but it is not logical at all to blame a single factor for such a social problem.…

  23. The Fast Food industry

    Fast Food Affects People's Lifestyles. It is also believed that fans of fast food restaurants are often prone to unhealthy lifestyles as these people consume a lot of calories but do not take enough exercise. People also believe that the fast food industry heavily markets its products and promotes unhealthy lifestyles (Schlosser 9).

  24. Disadvantages of Consuming Fast Food (docx)

    long period of time can ultimately cause diabetes. Usually, you can find this addictive in a lot of oriental products as well as a lot of the food we purchase in fast food restaurants. The thing about fast food is that it breaks down quickly, causing a rapid spike in blood sugar because of the refined carbohydrates and added sugars, this causes an abnormally large insulin surge, resulting in a ...