Abstract
Background: Many people in the public circles tend to think that fast food is responsible for the increase in obesity cases, particularly in the US (Marlow & Shiers, 2012). There has been a notable increase in the cases of obesity in the US, in the past few decades.
Aim: To find out if there is there a link between the increase in obesity cases and the consumption of fast food in the US?
Approach/method: An analysis of current literatures on this topic.
Findings: They vary. Literatures have revealed that there is a connection between frequent consumption of high calorie fast foods and obesity. Behavior, and not fast food is to blame.
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Conclusion: consumption of fast food is an illustration of how behavior contributes to obesity, but calories from these fast foods are not to blame.
Significance of the project: This study contributes to a better understanding of the link between obesity and the consumption of fast foods. It also provides findings that other studies will build on in the future when evaluating these concepts.
Introduction
Background Information
There is a growing debate on the link between fast food and obesity. The majority of people in the public circles tend to think that fast food is responsible for the increase in obesity cases, particularly in the US (Marlow & Shiers, 2012). It is a fact that incidences of obesity are on the rise in the whole country. This research seeks to unearth this mystery by evaluating the link between fast food and obesity. The ever rising cases of obesity have been termed as a public health epidemic since it is associated with a host of other health problems. Scientists define obesity as a body mass index (BMI) that is equal to or greater than 30 (Marlow & Shiers, 2012). By 2008, the widespread presence of obesity in adult women was 35.5 per cent while, in men, it stood at 32.2 per cent (Marlow & Shiers, 2012). Scholars have identified, as well as hypothesized, different causes of obesity. The intake of sugar sweetened beverages, food engineering practices that lead to food addiction, agricultural policies that entertain production of unhealthy foods, and availability of few grocery stores selling healthy foods are examples of these factors/hypotheses (Marlow & Shiers, 2012). Others are increased availability of restaurants, sedentary lifestyles encouraged by modern technology, urban sprawl, and falling food prices (Marlow & Shiers, 2012).
Research question
Is there a link between the increase in obesity cases and the consumption of fast food in the US?
Approach/method: An analysis of current literatures on this topic.
Literature Review
Although many people tend to think that fast food is responsible for the increase in the cases of obesity in the US, a number of studies have found no connection between obesity and fast food. Brownell (2004) reports that, in July 2003, a report on fast food and obesity from the US National Chamber of Commerce indicated that restaurants are not to blame for the increase in the cases of obesity. However, experts warn that the findings of this report might have been tampered with to give the opposition to the current perception that fast foods are to blame for the increase in cases of obesity (Brownell, 2004). Experts argue that the US National Chamber of Commerce has a number of board members drawn from the food industry, and as such, they are likely to give an opinion that favors their interests (Brownell, 2004).
Scholars such as Bowman et al. (2003) have provided significant data on the association between fast food industry and increased calorie intake. Bowman et al. (2003) argue that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of meals taken outside of the house. In fact, 40 percent of Americans eat in restaurants, in any given day. People also tend to eat more in the presence of large portions, which have increased both at home and in restaurants. Children frequent fast food joints, and they buy foods and drinks which double their calorie intake. Besides, this shift towards sweet fast food has reduced children’s intake of healthy foods such as milk, fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that up to 30 percent of children eat fast food on a single day (Brownell, 2004). Another study conducted among young American adults found a connection between fast food intake and the development of obesity. The study indicated that the subjects had had likelihood of 86 percent of developing obesity of they consumed fats food twice weekly (Brownell, 2004).
On the other hand, a study conducted by the University of North Carolina found no connection between fast food and obesity. Calories from fast-food are to blame for the increase in the cases of obesity among children (Poti, Duffey & Popkin, 2013). Dr. Kenan W.R., the lead scientist of the study, noted that consumption of fast food is an illustration of how behavior contributes to obesity, but calories from these fast foods are not to blame (Poti, Duffey & Popkin, 2013). DR. Kenan blames the behavior and not fast food (Poti, Duffey & Popkin, 2013). The research found out that caregivers and parents are to blame because they nurture poor eating habits among children at a young age. Children at an early age are not taught to take fruits and vegetables but instead, rely on sweetened beverages and foods rich in calories. Furthermore, these food choices are present in schools. Eating fast food, according to the researchers of the North Carolina study, are simply poor choices, and the calories in fast foods are not to blame (Poti, Duffey & Popkin, 2013).
In addition, a top US orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Raj, argues that a combination of two factors namely increased consumption of fast food full of fats and calories and lack of exercise are the reasons behind the increase in obesity rates (Thomas, 2013). Dr. Raj holds the opinion that both are behavioral factors. He notes that as life gets busier, many people forget to take care of their health (Thomas, 2013). In response to the growing debate on fast food and obesity, Jeffery et al. (2006) conducted a study to find a connection between these two aspects (Thomas, 2013). The findings from this study showed that fast foods may not be a unique cause of obesity. These researchers contend that the failure to find a connection between the consumption of fast food and obesity lies in the methodology that is involved (Thomas, 2013).
Results
Below are the major findings of this paper.
The study conducted by Jeffery et al. (2006) noted that there is a positive correlation between the frequency of dining in a fast-food joint and the development of obesity. People who work outside the home setting, as well as children, are the most consumers of fast food. This study also found no association between the frequency of dining in a non-fast food restaurant and BMI;
Dr. Raj, argues that a combination of two factors namely increased consumption of fast food full of fats and calories and lack of exercise are the reasons behind an increase in obesity rates (Thomas, 2013);
Calories from fast-food are to blame for the increase in the cases of obesity among children (Poti, Duffey & Popkin, 2013). Dr. Kenan W.R. noted that consumption of fast food is an illustration of how behavior contributes to obesity, but calories from these fast foods are not to blame (Poti, Duffey & Popkin, 2013);
Brownell (2004) reports that in July 2003, a report on fast food and obesity from the US National Chamber of Commerce indicated that restaurants are not to blame for the increase in the cases of obesity;
Forty percent of Americans eat in restaurants, in any given day. People also tend to eat more in the presence of large portions, which have increased both at home and in restaurants;
Children frequent fast food joints and they buy foods and drinks which double their calorie intake;
Besides, the shift towards sweet fast food has reduced children’s intake of healthy foods such as milk, fruits and vegetables; up to 30 percent of children eat fast food on a single day (Brownell, 2004).
Discussion
The hypothesis that frequent consumption of fast food leads to an increase in the amount of calories, and consequently leads to obesity has been revealed by a number of studies. The study conducted by Jeffery et al. (2006) noted that there is a positive correlation between the frequency of dining in a fast-food joint and the development of obesity. Therefore, it is important to note that, fast foods have high calories and fats. However, they are not to blame for the increase in the number of obesity cases. The underlying factor is people’s behavior. When people consume excess calories, they increase their risk of developing obesity. This behavior is seen when people frequent fast food joints, and fail to observe healthy eating habits such as drinking milk, and eating fruits and vegetables. Thus, obesity, when looked at critically, is likely to develop if people consume fast foods frequently, do not exercise, and fail to consume healthy supplements such as fruits, vegetables and milk.
This study is essential because it has contributed to a better understanding of the link between obesity and the consumption of fast foods. It has provided findings that other studies will build on in the future when evaluating these concepts. The findings of this paper are consistent with previous studies. However, future studies will need to spell out clearly the differences in calorie intake between people who frequent fast food restaurants and those who do not; such statistics will provide a clearer picture than current studies.
Conclusion
In summary, this paper has shown that findings on the association between consumption of fast food and obesity vary. In addition, consumption of fast food is an illustration of how behavior contributes to obesity, but calories from these fast foods are not to blame.
References
Brownell, K.D. (2004). Fast Food and Obesity in Children. Retrieved on 20 April from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/113/1/132.full.
Bowman, S. A., Gortmaker, S. L., Ebbeling, C.B., Pereira, M, A., and Ludwig, D.S. (2003). Effects of fast-food consumption on energy intake and diet quality among children in a national household survey. Pediatrics, 113, 112– 118.
Jeffery, R.W. et al. (2006). Are fast food restaurants an environmental risk factor for obesity? Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 3(35). pp.1-10. Retrieved on 20 April from http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/3/1/2
Marlow, M.L. and Shiers, A.F. (2012).The relationship between fast food and obesity. Applied Economics Letters, 19, 1633–1637.
Poti, J.M., Duffey, K.J., and Popkin. B.M. (2013). The association of fast food consumption with poor dietary outcomes and obesity among children: is it the fast food or the remainder of the diet? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 99 (1), 162 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.113.071928.
Thomas, B. (2013). Fast food, late nights to blame for obesity in Gulf - top doc. Retrieved on 20 April from http://www.arabianbusiness.com/fast-food-late-nights-blame-for-obesity-in- gulf-top-doc-521757.html.
