Fast Food and Children, Term Paper Example

The term fast food refers to any food prepared and served within a remarkably short period. Although, fast food is popular with Americans in all states, its history tends to explain the reason. After the First World War, the popularity of automobile led to the development of drive in restaurants. American citizens had the time and leisure to eat out. The outlets allowed customers to pick up the takeout from their vehicles. White Castle Company, first opened in 1916 by J. Walter Anderson believed to lead off the beginning of fast food. Low cost and high speed in the preparation of the hamburger, beef burgers, fries and soft drinks, a chain of the company sprang all over the states.

Richard and Maurice McDonald considered the true American fast food heroes. This true blood brother opened the first Macdonald’s eatery situated in San Bernardino. This was in the year 1948. They used a small construction site, and there were no tables, so the customers ate from their automobiles. The brothers later opened two more dealerships by 1953 one situated in Downey and the other in the capital of Arizona. Impressed by the brothers’ success, Keith Cramer opened another Macdonald’s eatery in 1954, after dealing with the brothers. Keith Cramer bought out the two brothers (5). The first eatery in buckeye opened in 1962. In the same year, in Downey, the first taco bell opened. The fast food chain is now worldwide and along with it some of the American cultures widely spread.

United States of America famously known as the largest food industry in the whole world, with two million workers employed in this sector. Many fast food joints have opened due to increased competition in the industry and the already available market. For example, in petrol stations, there are convenient stores selling frozen foods, doughnuts, sandwich among others.

Fast foods do not necessarily refer to burgers as many people think. This could also include pizza, Mexican tacos and Chinese foods (5). The fast food industry has created health complications affecting millions of individuals, majority of the cases been reported in the USA. This backed up by physical evidence and the extensive research done by scientists, nutritionists and food experts. Most of the affected individuals are kids and teenagers, although adults who lack exercise and exhibit unhealthy eating habits profoundly affected. The fast food industry has created millionaires. Fast foods are remarkably cheap, and many people will buy them for this reason. For example from Arby’s menu an Angus Three Cheese & Bacon Sandwich costs approximately $4. A lot of busy individuals who work long hours prefer having a meal from a fast food menu, rather than cooking (1). According to research, these foods contain high levels of calories, which is not good for people’s health especially kids and old people. Additionally, the fast food chain has created employment and a source of cheap readymade food for many. Therefore, one cannot compare that to the negative effects.

The major cause of childhood obesity in America is the food offered at the fast food joints. These effects cause health complications that last a life time. This will eventually cost the family more in terms of healthcare, and many of the affected cannot afford medical bills nor have no health insurance covers. The number of obese individuals in the world has risen to over one billion over just a period of thirty years. The condition of obesity predisposes an individual to diet related diabetes, hypertension, some cancers and heart disease (10).

It is estimated that almost one-third of American kids are obese. This has led to concerns regarding high number of diet related complications reported. Fast foods categorized as junk food because they contain high levels of calories. For example, obese kids frequently eat fast foods; develop kidney stones and even what is referred to as ‘adult onset’ diabetes (7). The calories tend to make the arteries thicker. Many individuals do not understand the seriousness of such a condition. This hinders blood flow to body organs. The heart is forced is to work harder since the height weight ratio of the kid is not optimum, which causes breathing complications. However, minor communities disproportionately affected by these conditions are large in number. Judging from various articles, medical records, statistics and opinions of doctors and nutritionists from all over the world, I think it would be correct to term this situation as an epidemic.

Recent technologies play several roles in the increase of fast food joints in America. Firstly, advanced technologies have helped improve services provided by fast food industries. Many customers served by fast food vendors within a short period. This has made the industry reliable hence; many people will go for fast foods since they save time. The level of advertisement has significantly improved, and many are exceptionally attractive, creative and entertaining. A study done on 100,000 food television advertisements, and the results were shocking. The results suggested that 89% of the advertisements that young adults and teenagers viewed greatly promoted products of high sugar, fats and sodium (1). Technologies not promoting and encouraging physical activity lead to development of obesity. A kid who spends all day in the house playing video games and watching movies is more likely to become obese; as compared to a kid who spends his free time swimming or playing football. The sources of fast foods are all around us pizza joints, corner shops and taco trucks, and this makes fast foods readily available. For example, burger king has 7,233 locations in USA while Macdonald’s has 14,000 locations in USA (4). From the University of California economists study shows that, almost 3 million of California’s 9^th graders (5.2%) have a chance of becoming obese. This considers if the schools is within a mile of a fast food joint. The economists also calculated the amount of calories consumed by the obese kids as compared to their non obese counter parts. The results suggested that the obese kids consumed 30 to 100 calories more than the non obese kids, each day. DellaVigna said “If you look out the window from your classroom and see a fast food place, it has kind of tempting to go there.”

In early 1970’s, obesity in children aged 6-19 rose by five percent, between 1999 and 2002. It increased sixteen percent and also, the number of fast food joints doubled. It is a proven fact that a kid who consumes fast foods can gain about six pounds in one year. A kid who eats fast foods is more likely to eat more during the day. This backed up by the fact that, fast foods have low fiber content and so, the kids are not satisfied. “Primordial tastes” exhibited by salts, sugars and fats contained in the fast foods, are highly appealing to a child. Foods that have high fiber content help prevent weight gaining because they contain little sugar and low calories. Examples of such foods include milk and fruits, which are consumed less by kids who prefer fast foods.

It was discussed earlier that kids who consume fast foods can develop diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a common reported case (7). It develops when the kids’ body fails to control its sugar levels and metabolism because there is no insulin produced. The blood sample taken from the patient shows high cholesterol levels, which is a serious health problem. This is as a result of fats and saturated fats. This can cause significant heart diseases. One can develop dyslipidemia if the amounts of triglycerides and LDL are exceptionally high, which leads to a coronary heart disease.

The affected individual develops high blood pressure, which damages blood vessels wall. This condition is favored by excessive consumption of sodium. For the body to repair the walls, it will require cholesterol, which has already been shown to be harmful to one’s health. Other diseases include, liver diseases, asthma, stroke and cancers of the colon, kidney, esophagus, breast and uterine. Studies show that liver damaged by fast food contents is reversible. Fast foods lack vitamins and thus, kids become anemic due to lack of iron. The kid becomes weak and the immunity levels drop giving an opportunity to disease. The kids’ teeth and bones become weak, which is a clear indication of calcium deficiency. It is unfortunate that many children develop cancer because of the coloring agents and additives present in fast foods.

There are several chemical compounds that act as favorites in preparation of fast foods. These chemicals include azodicarbonamide, which is a common additive in subway breads. Dimethylpolysiloxane is common in most fast foods and can easily be detected in mc nuggets. Sodium phosphate, used as a foaming agent, is also widely used in preparation of coffee, in most fast food joints (7). Titanium dioxide is used for dressing. These are just a few examples, the list is long. The effects of these chemicals are not necessarily immediate, but they do have long term effects, which cause very complicated medical conditions. Other examples include MSG, dyes, emulsifiers and Tran’s fat, which is usually in the form of hydrogenated oils.

This affects the mental health of such kids. Most of these kids are not particularly active in outdoor activities and sports, so they tend to be sedentary. Most likely, such kids will be called names by other kids leading the kid to undergo mental stress, hence leading to poor performance both academically and socially (2). USA has a majority of obese people and much more catching on to the condition. School cafeterias have been noted to serve junk food to students, and as if that is not enough, school environments are surrounded by fast food joints. Kids have very shallow knowledge of the disadvantages of consuming fast foods; they tend to be easily tempted to buy them. We all know that most fast foods are sadly delicious.

Fast food companies carry out market research studies to enable them find strategic areas to get customers, who will fetch them a reasonable profit. Most fast food companies target low income generating communities who live in areas with limited access to sources selling healthier foods. MacDonald’s contributes about 43% of junk food in the USA and statistics (4) show that, within every hour, one million animals are eaten in the USA.

As discussed earlier, advertisement and promotion activities of fast foods plays a significant role. These companies hire the best advertisers and get grand loyalty from customers even before the customer is acquainted with the products and services quality offered by the company. These companies are known to entice kids and young adults by offering irresistible giveaways and offers on food ordered (9). Different companies use different advertising techniques aimed at attracting different customers. For example, Taco Bell and Burger king tend to target kids and teenagers while MacDonald’s and KFC tend to target young adults.

It is clear that this epidemic is a threat to human health and especially the young ones. These companies are expanding day by day without considering the effects it brings to man’s life expectancy. A compelling example is MacDonald’s, on April 19^th 2011, the company employed 50,000 individuals at once. I wonder why people tend to save time and money by frequenting fast food joints, at the expense of their kids and their own health. If a person totally understands the magnitude of this worldwide epidemic he or she therefore, knows that at the long run, it will cost them either financially through medical bills (11) or emotionally when they lose a close person to this epidemic. Some individuals argue that this is only an assumption, because it has not been backed up by enough experiments and studies. I tend to differ from such individuals because the physical evidence is too evident. Kids and young adults in poor countries where fast food joints are not so popular have healthy eating habits. This is not an issue of concern in such countries.

Solutions to the fast food problem

Worldwide research done and negative effects of junk food have become a growing concern to try and fix the problems brought by fast food consumption. Several solutions are suggested towards this problem. Although some of them have not been implemented they still have some degree of effectiveness. For example, parents who play a vital role should practice better parenting by preventing their children from eating fast food and make them go for healthier choices. It is advisable to be making homemade meals that are healthier than the take outs. The quality of junk food can be increased like with pizza there should be less cheese topping, but more of low-fat toppings of vegetables like onions, green peppers, tomatoes, or mushrooms or any other vegetables of their choice (2). Roast beef, turkey or chicken sandwiches should be made of whole wheat breads or biscuits. The burgers should not contain a lot just a single meat patty will do, less cheese and extra lettuce leaves, tomatoes and onions.

Homemade meat that is grilled, baked, roasted or boiled over breaded or fried types is a better choice. People should practice eating healthier foods like choosing low-fat milkshakes, drinking lots of water and juices over sodas and colas, taking low-fat frozen yogurt, fruit ices as deserts than the high calorie ones (2).

The US government is a key determinant to controlling the situation by making policies and regulations that restrict access to fast food near schools (3). Studies show accessibility has a significant effect on obesity among school children, and also restricting the availability of fast food in residential areas since it has effects on adults. Researchers such as Bowman, advocate for the limiting of marketing fast food to children (1). This comes in the form of advertisements on the media (9) where promoters do not portray the whole story of fast food product. They are supposed to say how the large portions are not appropriate for your health, how they just add more calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and they should not be substitutes for healthy foods. This will only be possible if the government makes such regulations. The efforts of removing from schools fast food, snack, and soft drinks, help in curbing food advertising that are directed at children (8). This enhances their opportunities for physical activity. The government may also try and discourage the consumption of junk food by increasing taxes; making them more expensive and reduce taxes and provide subsidies to the production of healthier foods making them easily accessible and affordable at the same time.

Others like Steve Helmer argue that the only way is to get rid of drive troughs. The Chain Leader Magazine says 40.5% of the customers use the drive thru. Eliminating them will bring inconvenience to the accessibility of the joints. For example, going to McDonalds, takes into consideration finding a parking space and stand in line, many will stop going, or not will not go as often (6). Those with kids will think twice about going and might find it easier to take the kids home and make lunch for them.

In conclusion, fast food joints in America are gaining popularity among children and should be investigated further in order to reduce illnesses in children. It is evident how fast foods joints are mushrooming, but need to incorporate healthier foods to put into consideration the health of children. Parents educate children on how to observe healthy eating habits. Fast foods and children need analysis and further research that helps in building a strong immune system for children. This reduces their chances of falling ill often.

References

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Schlosser, E. (2004). Fast Food Nation: the dark side of the all-American meal. New York: HarperCollins.

Strasburger et al. (2010). Health Effects of Media on Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, vol. 125, pp. 756-767.

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