Work Cited

Center For Science In The Public Interest. Guide Star, 25 June 2002. Web. 6 September 2015.

Clauson, Annette. "Despite Higher Food Prices Percent of U.S. Income Spent on Food Remains Constant." Research in Agricultural and Applied Economics. 9 September 2015.

Schlosser, Eric. "Americans Are Obsessed with Fast Food: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal." CBSNews. 9 September 2015.

Lee, Matthew. Healthy Eating. Demand Media. Web. 9 September 2015.

Muntel, Sarah. Obesity Action Coalition. OAC Blog. Web. 9 September 2015.

National Cancer Institute. USA.gov, 29 July 2008. Web. 10 September 2015.

 Peeters A, Barendregt JJ, Willekens F, Mackenbach JP, Al Mamun A, Bonneux L, NEDCOM, the Netherlands Epidemiology and Demography Compression of Morbidity Research Group. Ann Intern Med. 2003 Jan 7; 138(1):24-32. Book. 9 September 2015.

How Does the Consumption of Fast Food/Unhealthy Foods Affect Your Body?

(Zakopal, Lindsey. Youth Time Magazine. 30. 30 Jan. 2015. Web. 6 September 2015.) From burgers to fries, to even the "healthy" salads that fast food offers, these non-nutritious foods are bound to make up what your body is composed of. 

The long term health risks are inevitable when it comes to consuming fast food daily. In the United States, recent studies show that l in 4 people eat some type of fast food everyday (Schlosser). With that being said, the combination of low nutritional value, the high fat, calorie and sodium content of these foods can lead to a variety of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and early death (Lee). Though, our bodies aren't the only things that are negatively being affected by fast food; our wallets tend to pay the price too. Did you know, Americans spend nearly 10% of their disposable income on fast food every year (Clauson)?  Not only that, but the US health care system has spent over $100 billion a year on obesity-related problems. Overall, these foods drain out our bodies, our wallets, and our health care industry. 

(Chuback, John. Chuback Medical Group. 3 May 2012. Web. 10 September 2015.) Image above displays the dangers of the obesity epidemic. 

Keep in mind, obesity isn't the only health problem that links with fast food. People residing in food deserts are more likely to be affected by chronic illnesses, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even early death. Its sad to say that people residing in food deserts don't have much of a choice. When healthy, nutritious foods are nowhere to be found, the circumstances make it hard to change your eating habits to maintain your health.  

(Cook, Lindsey. US News. 4 September 2014. Web. 14 September 2015.) Obesity Epidemic is getting worse especially in regions that are filled with food deserts. 

Since 1970, the amount of fast food restaurants in the United States has nearly doubled. Coincidentally, 33.8% of adults in the United States are affected by obesity. Not to mention, 19% of children and adolescents are also being affected. With that being said, is it just a coincidence or is there a link? Simply looking at the amount of calories and fat in the fast food items may influence your opinion. For example, 1 Bacon Deluxe Double from Wendy's contains 880 calories and 52 grams of fat. But wait, we cant forget the sides and the drinks! Medium fries from McDonald's is equal to 380 calories and 19 grams of fat; While the large sweet tea at McDonald's contains 280 calories. Now, if we add this one meal together, it can easily contain 1,540 calories and 71 grams of fat. Remember, the general caloric recommendation for Americans is 1,500-1,800 calories PER-DAY. Not only that, but these foods are highly processed and they're full of sodium! Therefore, if people consume fast food on a daily basis, unhealthy weight gain is bound to happen and obesity can easily occur (Muntel).

(Chicago Tribune Graphics. 26 September, 2012. Web. 10 September, 2015.) Image above reveals amount of calories in fast food meals from Subway, Taco Bell, KFC, and Mcdonalds. It also reveals the percentage of the amount of calories each meal takes up.

Have you ever been through a fast food drive-thru and seen this sign? Thanks to proposition 65, companies are required to warn consumers about products that contain chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects.

( Beyond the Creek. Walnut Creek. 6 February, 2015. Web. 10 September 2015.) Image above displays Prop 65 sign. 

This is a huge indicator that you probably shouldn't buy these products. The chemicals that are found in these foods can increase the chances of cancer. For example, Acrylamide has been found in fries, burgers, and basically anything that they fry above 240 degrees Fahrenheit (NHI). Researchers found that Acrylamide can increase the risk of cancer and this chemical is even on the government's list of potentially hazardous chemicals since 1990. Yet, it's still generously offered in the foods that are sold to the consumers.

( Raw For Beauty. Web. 10 September, 2015.) Image above bluntly says the truth about what fast food does to families. 

Eating these trans fat filled foods increases blood cholesterol and heart attack rates which can ultimately result in premature death. Also, obese people tend to have a high in saturated fat. If these diets are not changed, it will result in a shorter life expectancy. One study found that obesity was linked to a 7-year decrease in life expectancy for women and a 6-year decrease for men. These results are similar to the past studies of smoking. Therefor, fast food has the ability to cause just as much harm as smoking (Peeters).

(POPDUST. Youtube. 8 April, 2015. Web. 10 September, 2015.)

This is junk food junkie Marla. She eats nothing but processed, unhealthy, fat-filled foods. This is a perfect example of how these processed foods can lead to obesity and may increase the chance of early death.