Fast food, also known as junk food can be a general expression for all types of foods that are high in energy because they are packed with sugar and fat and salt, yet are lacking in other essential nutrients, such as protein fiber minerals, vitamins and proteins.
But, fast food is highly appealing to a majority of kids due to the flavor as well as the price and the convenience. Because children don’t comprehend how this type of food influence its health and wellbeing, this could be extremely addicting.
Negative Aspects of Junk Food
Consuming a lot of junk food can lead to health issues that last a long time like obesity, anxiety and self-esteem issues and chronic diseases in later years. One fast food meal can add between 160 and 310 additional kilocalories to a daily caloric intake of teenagers and young children, respectively.
The absence of vitamins like Vitamins A and C as well as minerals like calcium and magnesium, contribute to the development of deficiency disorders and osteoporosis, aswell in dental caries caused by increased sugar consumption.
The presence of dangerous food coloring agents, and possibly harmful trans fats in numerous fast food products, as well as concerns about the safety of food preparation, frequently make the matter more complicated.
Atopy
Consumption of fast food at least three times a week is associated with higher chances of developing atopic diseases such as eczema, asthma or rhinitis. In addition, asthma severity is 40% greater in teens and up to 25% in children who are younger.
Consuming junk food up to 4 to 6 times per week can result in less reading and math skills than kids who didn’t eat too much junk food.
Constipation
A high intake of fats, calories sugars, and other carbs at meals that are repeated alters the preferences for food of the child. It reduces the likelihood to eat fruits, fibers and milk as well as vegetables. This could lead to higher likelihood of constipation.
Addiction
Consuming a lot of fast food during childhood makes it difficult to stay well in later years even if health issues are evident as childhood eating habits are consolidated by the time you reach the time you reach adulthood. The numbing taste from fast-food makes it unlikely that your palate will be able to enjoy the more simple and less spicier flavors of food that is more common.
Poor Academics
Fast food may cause lower academic performance as the high levels of sugar that are followed by crashes of sugar and low concentration levels hinder the ability to perform tasks that require long periods of intense attention. The fluctuation in blood sugar levels can cause mood swings as well as inattention deficiency, which can reduce the level of participation in classes.
Less Energy
Fast food can hinder the participation in extracurricular activities as it’s not supplying enough nutrients needed for physical activity. Inactivity does not just keep children from joining group activities, but also impacts mental and physical health.
Depression
Obesity may cause a decline in self-esteem and even depression. Children who consume unhealthy food are at the risk of developing depression, even with no weight gain. Depression influence growth and development indicators including academic performance and social interactions. Also, it can lead to a increased chance of suicide.
Sleep Disturbances
Cola and pop drinks typically contain caffeine that can make sleep a struggle because it delays the normal sleep-wake cycle.
Hyperactivity
Essential fatty acids tend to be not present or aren’t found when eating fast food. They are omega-3 as well as omega-6 polyunsaturated fat acids, which aren’t made by the body, however they are crucial to the production of cell membranes. They are also needed in high amounts in the retina and brain. Insufficient intake of these nutrients is believed to be linked with an increase in social phobia, and possibly associated with hyperactivity, but further research is required to confirm this.
Conclusion
Consumption of fast food is definitely a matter to be controlled by strictness in children because it can be harmful and can cause harm. Incredibly, an increasing the intake of fruits can boost mood and decrease the severity of atopic illnesses. The stoppage of the promotion of junk food aimed towards children through attractive characters and presents could be a good way to assist children eat healthier. Another option can be to create healthy foods easier to access at lower costs and in an appealing design.