FAST FOOD, THE OBESITY CULPRIT
As the name
implies, fast food is eats and drinks prepared and served very quickly. This
concept which first popularized in the 1950s in the USA is now one of the most
widely sought after range of food items all over the word. While any meal with
low preparation time can be considered fast food, typically the term refers to
food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated ingredients, and served to
the customer in a packaged form for take-away. The remarkable demand for fast
food lies in that they mostly appeal to kids’ picky taste. Sufficing as an easy meal for people with busy
schedules and price per meal being reasonably affordable, these foods have become
the pick amongst most of the population n urban and semi-urban areas.
On a
different note, the burgers, French fries, pizzas and a multitude of other
sandwiches and buns, seemingly contain a great amount of fats and oils like
cholesterol. Their preparation relies
mostly on frying methods which utilize several different kinds of oils, which
once within the body may lead to many a harmful consequence. For instance,
French fries served in fast food outlets often come dipped in corn oil even
before they are fried,and processed corn oil is considered one of the worst
kinds of oils for the human body. The polyunsaturated fats they contain become
rancid with the constant heating and reheating that degrades their
structure. These unnatural and heat damaged fats are strongly implicated
in promoting inflammation within the body which is the starting point of
many common health problems and diseases.
The
commonest complication is obesity led by eating fast food and leading a
sedentary lifestyle. Obesity is the condition in which body fat gets
accumulated resulting in a higher BMI rate of a person. Obesity essentially
leads to other complications like increase in the cholesterol level, blocking
of the arteries, an increased risk of coronary diseases, in addition to the
general physical discomfort posed by the extra weight.
However it
is essential that a person takes control over the excessive consumption of fast
food in order to prevent the onset of obesity. Fast food is also addictive and
hence it is very difficult to give up on these greasy and fatty food and
carbonated drinks and switch to healthier options. The fast food eateries too
may be able to contribute in reducing obesity rates by serving food items that
contain less oil like vegetable wraps, salads and sandwiches with vegetable,
fish, boiled egg, mustard or other healthier fillings.
Keeping in
mind of all negative consequences, one should always refrain from being
captivated by the taste of these unhealthy food and instead should pay a great
deal of attention to how much of deadly fat one ingests daily. Thus, empowering
urges to tantalize taste buds, foreseeing a future without a hint of the
mental, physical and social burden of being obese is the best measure a
consumer can take.
JAYODA
GAMAGE
23rd
BATCH
FACULTY OF
MEDICAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY
OF JAYEWARDENEPURA
