Negative Impact of Fast Foods on Children

Children should be discouraged to eat fast food frequently as it can deteriorate their health. Let us take a look at the negative impact of fast foods on the health of children.The craze for fast food has drastically increased over the years. Children constantly get attracted to burgers, pizzas and soft drinks on the streets. The love for junk food, a fast-paced lifestyle, and advertising have contributed to the rise in food joints. Added to these are soda, sport drinks and energy drinks which add more calories than children can burn. Moreover, if they do not maintain a balanced diet, fast food thus becomes the main source of calories. The side effects of this are long-term, and parents need to consider the negative effects before giving in to their child’s demands. In this articleObesityIllnessesDiabetesHeart ProblemsPoor Academic PerformanceLack of Real nutrition1. ObesityObesity is one of the notorious impacts of regular fast food consumption. It is caused when the body accumulates more calories than it burns. Such children consume more fats, more added sugars, more carbohydrates and more calories than children who do not have junk food on a regular basis. They go on to consume less fibre and milk, and fewer fruits and vegetables. Moreover, a constant consumption of fast food increases the secretion of dopamine leads an increase in the child’s demand for more junk food.2. IllnessesDue to less nutrition in their body, children are more susceptible to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, bone and joint problems and sleep apnoea. These physical conditions follow them into adulthood and further develop into psychological and social problems. Over-consumption of junk food also leads to lack of antioxidants which provide positive energy and moods. A diet lacking in antioxidants increases the risk of depression. The high content of sugar in junk food also causes fluctuations in a child’s blood sugar levels, making them irritable and sleepy throughout the day.3. DiabetesToo much junk food is also a major reason for diabetes. It is characterised by insulin problems, resulting in an ability to break down sugar in the body. Soft drinks and soda are extremely high in sugar which is a reason for developing diabetes. Consuming these excessive sugars contribute to unhealthy weight gain. This excessive weight gain is linked to diabetes. Moreover, sweet snacks, fruit-flavoured snacks and cookies are also high in sugar, giving rise to childhood diabetes. Such children also develop Type 2 diabetes and fluctuating blood sugar levels in adult life.4. Heart ProblemsOn the other hand, the high fat and cholesterol in most fast foods are also a cause for concern. Excessive intake of fast food increases the amount of fats, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium which are linked to various heart problems. Your child may develop a risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, strokes and heart attacks. It also leads to increased body mass index and waist circumference and lower levels of good cholesterol. Also, overconsumption of too much junk food leads to clogging up of arteries, leading to serious damage.5. Poor Academic PerformanceDiet plays a very significant role in a child’s academic performance. Junk food has high sugar content with depletes energy levels and the ability to concentrate. Junk food is also digested easily which leaves the child hungry and his concentration in class is affected.6. Lack of Real nutritionJunk food also lacks healthy fibre and vitamins, making children prone to constipation causing abdominal pain and discomfort. However, the artificial taste of junk food is addictive and soon replaces healthy foods. Children who consume junk food twice or more in a week often consume less fruits and vegetables, leading to nutrition deficiency.Ideally, a child needs between 1,200-2,600 calories a day for healthy physical and mental development. The diet should comprise proteins, vitamins, healthy carbohydrates and fats, with low salt and sugar. One can choose from poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, milk, dairy products and whole-grains to make up their child’s daily diet. Keeping a child’s stomach full with healthy food will help her control her attraction towards junk food.What are harmful effects of consuming fast foods frequently? How often can children eat fast food? What are the ways to encourage healthy eating habits in children? Discuss here.

Children should be discouraged to eat fast food frequently as it can deteriorate their health. Let us take a look at the negative impact of fast foods on the health of children.

The craze for fast food has drastically increased over the years. Children constantly get attracted to burgers, pizzas and soft drinks on the streets. The love for junk food, a fast-paced lifestyle, and advertising have contributed to the rise in food joints. Added to these are soda, sport drinks and energy drinks which add more calories than children can burn. Moreover, if they do not maintain a balanced diet, fast food thus becomes the main source of calories. The side effects of this are long-term, and parents need to consider the negative effects before giving in to their child’s demands.

1. Obesity

Obesity is one of the notorious impacts of regular fast food consumption. It is caused when the body accumulates more calories than it burns. Such children consume more fats, more added sugars, more carbohydrates and more calories than children who do not have junk food on a regular basis. They go on to consume less fibre and milk, and fewer fruits and vegetables. Moreover, a constant consumption of fast food increases the secretion of dopamine leads an increase in the child’s demand for more junk food.

2. Illnesses

Due to less nutrition in their body, children are more susceptible to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes, bone and joint problems and sleep apnoea. These physical conditions follow them into adulthood and further develop into psychological and social problems. Over-consumption of junk food also leads to lack of antioxidants which provide positive energy and moods. A diet lacking in antioxidants increases the risk of depression. The high content of sugar in junk food also causes fluctuations in a child’s blood sugar levels, making them irritable and sleepy throughout the day.

3. Diabetes

Too much junk food is also a major reason for diabetes. It is characterised by insulin problems, resulting in an ability to break down sugar in the body. Soft drinks and soda are extremely high in sugar which is a reason for developing diabetes. Consuming these excessive sugars contribute to unhealthy weight gain. This excessive weight gain is linked to diabetes. Moreover, sweet snacks, fruit-flavoured snacks and cookies are also high in sugar, giving rise to childhood diabetes. Such children also develop Type 2 diabetes and fluctuating blood sugar levels in adult life.

4. Heart Problems

On the other hand, the high fat and cholesterol in most fast foods are also a cause for concern. Excessive intake of fast food increases the amount of fats, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium which are linked to various heart problems. Your child may develop a risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, strokes and heart attacks. It also leads to increased body mass index and waist circumference and lower levels of good cholesterol. Also, overconsumption of too much junk food leads to clogging up of arteries, leading to serious damage.

5. Poor Academic Performance

Diet plays a very significant role in a child’s academic performance. Junk food has high sugar content with depletes energy levels and the ability to concentrate. Junk food is also digested easily which leaves the child hungry and his concentration in class is affected.

6. Lack of Real nutrition

Junk food also lacks healthy fibre and vitamins, making children prone to constipation causing abdominal pain and discomfort. However, the artificial taste of junk food is addictive and soon replaces healthy foods. Children who consume junk food twice or more in a week often consume less fruits and vegetables, leading to nutrition deficiency.

Ideally, a child needs between 1,200-2,600 calories a day for healthy physical and mental development. The diet should comprise proteins, vitamins, healthy carbohydrates and fats, with low salt and sugar. One can choose from poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, milk, dairy products and whole-grains to make up their child’s daily diet. Keeping a child’s stomach full with healthy food will help her control her attraction towards junk food.

What are harmful effects of consuming fast foods frequently? How often can children eat fast food? What are the ways to encourage healthy eating habits in children? Discuss here.