Fast foods equals obesity - Essay Example

Recent estimates suggest that "obesity and physical inactivity are responsible for 400,000 deaths annually in the United States"; thus it is "close to overtaking tobacco as the leading cause of preventable death."(http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/3221_pnt) Currently, "14% of children and adolescents in the US are overweight and 20% are at risk of overweight." (Ogden ) "Since 1960s, the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has tripled." (http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/3221_pnt) Notably, the problem of obesity is likewise seen not only in the United States but in other parts of the world as well.

This means that this menace now lurks globally and is set to victimize almost everybody. The possible causes for the rapid increase in obesity rates are complex. According to various studies, its causes are hard to pinpoint. However, "genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute significantly in this problem." (http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/3221_pnt) The genetic factor is inherent in the body from conception, while the environmental factor pertains to the lifestyle, physical activity and the dietary trend of an individual.

The "dietary trend" of an individual plays an important role as to the environmental factor that causes obesity, especially in children and adolescents. . As children reach the adolescence period, more freedom is given and so they become independent including in their choice of food. Due to the hurried pace of the society, these adolescents turn to easily available fast foods. Unfortunately, unknown to them, these fast foods do not give them the recommended dietary requirement for their age and otherwise lead them to weight gain and obesity.

Several dietary factors are inherent in fast foods which are known to cause excessive weight gains - "massive portion sizes, for example, and high energy density; palatability (appealing to primordial taste preferences for fats, sugar, and salt); and high content of saturated and trans fats and low fiber content." (http://www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/2004/feb4.htm) Because of these, adolescents face the serious consequences of obesity, both physically and psychologically.More than independence, it cannot be discounted that in today's family set-up both parents are working and so they have less or no control over their children's eating habits and physical activity.

What are more alarming, fast foods are accessible thru school cafeteria. "In a survey of 23 middle schools in San Diego, for example, a la carte sales of brand names and school-prepared fast foods exceeded 15,000 items per week, with especially high consumption of fast food by children of higher socioeconomic status, possibly because they may have more discretionary money to spend." (http://www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/2004/feb4.htm)Likewise, "the workforce at fast-food restaurants is largely composed of adolescents who may receive discounted or free food as part of their compensation."