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Fast Food and Obesity

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Fast Food and Obesity
Fast Food and Obesity
Obesity is a medical disorder in which body fat has gathered to such an extent that it may have a negative effect on the overall health condition of a person. People are classified as obese when their Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement is greater than thirty Kg / m2, or their weight is twenty percent greater than normal weight (Obesity, WebMD). America has blamed genetics and fast food as the cause of overweight and obesity for many years, the fact is that it is not a "cause" of obesity. Fast food is high in calories and typically comes in large portions, but a person could eat fast food on a regular basis and not become obese. In some cases, people can lose weight while eating fast food if they burn more calories than they consume (Fast Food and Obesity, eMedTV). In regards, the fast food industry, such as McDonalds has had a huge impact on America, as well as the world, and has become a part of our everyday life.
Obesity is a major problem of the United States which affects approximately thirty four percent of adults; one of every five children in America is obese. Only one percent of obese individuals are obese due to glandular, genetic problems (Obesity in America). Unbalanced and unhealthy diet is the major cause of obesity, not fast food itself. The increase of weight comes from eating more calories than one may burn through exercise and other types of physical activity. It has often been blamed that fast food is one of the major causes of obesity, rather than embracing the fact that the foods are not the reasoning behind obesity.
Obesity can lead to health problems like diabetes, heart problems and various other health issues. Experts claim fast foods that are eaten twice or more in a week can cause individuals to gain as much as 10 pounds. “Scientists and doctors have clearly exhibited that regular consumption of unhealthy food and reduced physical activity result in obesity. Along with the developed western countries, many



Cited: Brunilda , Nazario, MD. "WebMD." Obesity. N.p., 21 Mar 2013. Web. 3 Apr 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-obesity>. Schoenstadt, MD, Arthur. "EMedTV." Fast Food and Obesity. N.p.. Web. 3 Apr 2013. <http://weight-loss.emedtv.com/obesity/fast-food-and-obesity.html>. "Obesity in America.org." Understanding Obesity. N.p.. Web. 3 Apr 2013. <http://obesityinamerica.org/statistics/>. Taylor, Julie. "Are Fast-Food Advertisers Playing You?." Fit WebMD. N.p.. Web. 3 Apr 2013. <http://fit.webmd.com/teen/food/article/fast-food-advertising>. Marcus, Ph.D, Lauren. "NYU Child Study Center." Childhood Obesity: The Effects on Physical and Mental Health. N.p.. Web. 3 Apr 2013. <http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/childhood_obesity_effects_physical_mental_health>. "Tree Hugger." Fast Food Advertising is On the Rise -- With a Focus on Minority Youth. N.p.. Web. 3 Apr 2013. <http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/fast-food-advertising-is-on-the-rise-with-a-focus-on-minority-youth-while-kids-continue-to-grow-fatter-whats-wrong-with-this-picture.html>. "Help Cure Child Obesity." Child Obesity Linked. N.p.. Web. 4 Apr 2013. <http://www.helpcurechildobesity.com/obesity-linked-to-fast-food.html>. "Ygoy Health Community." Fast Food Obesity. N.p.. Web. 4 Apr 2013. <http://obesity.ygoy.com/fast-food-obesity/>.

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