Is Fast Food the New Tobacco?

Is Fast Food the New Tobacco?

 

In today's world, we're constantly bombarded with warnings about the dangers of smoking, but could our beloved fast food be the next big health crisis? The comparison might seem extreme, but let's chew on it.

Obesity is having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex. Major causes of obesity include unhealthy food choices, lack of physical activity, and poor family eating habits. Worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and the adolescent obesity rate has quadrupled. The number one cause of obesity is caused by eating large amounts of processed or fast foods that are high in sugar and fat. The increase in obesity is due to the average American eating more calories than they can burn in a day, and the excess energy is stored as fat.

 

Based on Michelle Obama's speech at the 101^st NAACP convention, she touched on childhood obesity. She stated that growing up, when she was younger, children had to walk to school, eat outdoors, and eat what was given, which always included a vegetable. Nowadays, it is easier and more convenient, and
cost-effective for families to pick dinner on the way home from one job, while trying to get to another job. The lack of physical activity among children these days has gotten way out of hand. In some cases, kids who may be in the obese percentile may not be loud to play certain sports based on their weight. It was also stated by her that people used to grow their vegetables and have home gardens to help offset the cost of fresh produce for family meals.

Nowadays, running from school, practices, and sporting events, it is far easier and more convenient to grab a meal on the go. Just like it was stated in the article “Don’t blame the Eater” By David Zinczenko, you are more likely to see one of the 13,000 fast food restaurant options while driving down the road than you are to drive down the same road and find a fresh produce option or a healthier choice. Not to mention, it is also noted that a lot of these franchises are in lower-income communities. Value meals or bundle options appeal most to families with limited income. In the article “What you eat is your business,” By Radley Balko, he suggests that the government should not dictate what consumers should or should not be allowed to purchase, By the government limiting the array of food options that you may have at your disposal. Or by levying a “fat tax” on higher calorie foods to try and decrease the obesity epidemic.

Just like tobacco, fast food is highly processed and engineered to be addictive, hitting us with a rush of sugar, salt, and fat that keeps us coming back for more. The health consequences are hard to ignore. Regular consumption of fast food is linked to obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and a host of other ailments. These conditions not only reduce our quality of life but also place a massive burden on healthcare systems. Unlike tobacco, fast food is often marketed as convenient and affordable, making it particularly appealing to low-income communities and busy individuals. Based on the Netflix documentary “What the Health,” it states that the foods we are consuming are unhealthy and full of highly saturated fats that lead to underlying health problems like hypertension and cancer.

You may ask yourself. So, is it time to slap warning labels on burgers and fries? Maybe. What's clear is that we need a serious conversation about the impact of fast food on public health. It's about empowering people with the knowledge to make informed choices and demanding that the food industry take responsibility for the products they're pushing.