Hunger Killing Facts

Blogpost #9 Negative impact of fast food on a child’s nutrition

Fast food have become increasingly popular to us especially to the children. Due to increased advertising. The global childhood obesity epidemic is focusing attention on the effects of food and beverage marketing.

According to an article “Yale study: Fast feeders still on the hook for kids’ health” from the site www.adage.com by Maureen Morison states that fast food companies including McDonald’s and Burger King may have decreased advertising aimed at children and gone so far to put more nutritious foods in kids’ meal but that’s not enough according to one study. According to the Yale Rudd Center for Food policy and obesity, too many children are seeing fast food ads on TV not aimed at children and too many restaurants are still introducing non nutritious items to the adult menu canceling out any supposed good. That’s to say nothing of the restaurants increasing their marketing to children and to minorities. The report, Fast Food Facts 2013 is a follow up to a 2010 study by Yale, which found that fast food chains were marketing to kids more than ever. The 2010 study examined the marketing practices of 12 major fast food chains. The new study looked into the practices of 18 major chains including McDonald’s, Burger King,Subway, Wendy’s and KFC. In the last few years, the report said there are a few positive developments such as some healthier sides and beverages in most restaurants’ kids meals but the chains have a long way to go to promote only healthier fast food options to kids.

“Mostly unhealthy products, and children and teens remained key audiences for that advertising.” says Maureen Morison

Most fast food chains increased their advertising to kids.

Another article “The immediate effect fast food has on children” from the site www.thenational.ae by Rachel Lewis, The fats, sugar and salt in fast food draw kids like a magnet, largely because they appeal to a child’s “primordial tastes.” From an evolutionary point of view, humans are hard wired to crave high calorie food as a survival mechanism so each time wee see, smell or eat fast food many chemicals and neurotransmitters are released in our body. Eating foods rich in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables and healthy fats such as cold water fish and nuts leads to positive energy and moods both of which derive from positive brain function. A diet high in fast food lacks these nutritional benefits increasing the risk of depression.

                                
“The high content of sugar in junk food causes fluctuations in children’s blood glucose levels” says Rachel Lewis

This makes them edgy, sleepy and irritable throughout the day and leaves them with no motivation to be active.

Most fast food restaurants stepped up advertising to children and teens. Fast food companies also frequently advertise to children and teens on the internet, in social media, on mobile devices, in schools, community, centers and just about every other location they frequent. Furthermore, much of this marketing is targeted to black and youth, who suffer disproportionately from obesity and diet related diseases.