Fast Food And Obesity Statistics

When looking at fast food and obesity statistics, there are some fascinating conclusions to be drawn. Consumption of fast food by children has increased dramatically since the 1970’s - partly due to the fact that there are now upwards of 4 times as many outlets in existence. Also, massive advertising campaigns, cleverly aimed at children, obviously do a very good job and succeed in their objective. Some startling fast food and obesity statistics suggest that children now get 10% of their total energy intake from fast foods! In addition, fast food encompasses virtually every segment of society, including public schools and hospitals, and this is another of the fast food and obesity statistics that is linked to the current rise in of childhood and adolescent obesity. Another of the fast food and obesity statistics focuses on the workforce at fast food restaurants. As they are largely composed of adolescents who may receive discounted or free food as part of their remuneration package, is it little wonder that the problem continues to grow.

Several dietary factors need to be taken into consideration in studies of fast food and obesity statistics. Those that are inherent in fast foods are known to cause excessive weight gains, for example: huge portion sizes and high energy density; palatability (appealing to rudimentary taste preferences for fats, sugar, and salt); plus high content of saturated and trans fats and low fibre content. A supplementary problem when analysing fast food and obesity statistics is that fast food may compromise diet quality by displacing more healthy foodstuff. In particular, research of fast food and obesity statistics has identified that children's odds of becoming obese are heightened if milk is replaced with sugar-sweetened soft drinks in daily diets. A further explanation in the fast food and obesity statistics is the significant and totally relevant trend of increased availability of fast food in school cafeterias, couple that with improved spending power of present day children and there lies a potential obesity time-bomb!