Hunger Killing Facts

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fast Food

A Research Paper Presented to

The English Resource Center

School of Multimedia Arts

Asia Pacific College

Magallanes, Makati

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

ERESWRT – Research Writing

Trisha Dianne I. Yalong

April 2014

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

  A.      Background of the Study

Fast food is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of eating. It saves a lot of time and money especially for people who are coming home from work. But fast food is extremely unhealthy.

Sara Clark wrote an article entitled, “Why do we eat so much fast food?” , which says that there are three things we seem to like about our fast food. First, it clearly states that most of people knows that fast food is bad for them but they keep on eating it all over again because their bodies and mind craved the taste.

Sara Clark said “Fast food is cheap, its tasty and it saves time”(http://www.fastfoodnation.co.uk/why-do-we-eat-so-much-fast-food.html)

Eating fast food is not good to us especially in our health. Most of us know that it can cause to obesity, heart problems and diabetes but we’ve keep on eating it all over again because we became addicted to it.

Dr. Cheryl MacDonald wrote an article entitled, “What is in my food”, which says that the reason why so many people choose to eat fast food is the branding, and it is fast, so it just make sense in a society that moves at lightning speed people also want to eat quickly.

Dr. Cheryl MacDonald said “The reason why so many people choose to eat fast food, a substance virtually void of nutrition in many cases, is both simple and complex” (http://healthpsychology.org/what-is-in-my-food/)

Many people choose to eat fast food because it is fast and it can save time also it is the most we used to see in some ads.

Karen Sessions wrote an article entitled, “How unhealthy is fast food” states that fast food is considered a normal eating venture among the average person. People aren’t just eating out on special occasions or weekends anymore.

Karen Sessions said “Fast food simply feeds hunger and your immediate craving” (http://criticalbench.com/how-unhealthy-is-fast-food/)

Hunger is the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by the need of food. Eating fast food is not good to your health. You should think twice before eating at fast food.

Stephanie Relfe wrote an article entitled, “Junk food is addicting and killing people”, states that junk food works like drugs. That is junk food is addictive. People who can’t control their eating are not addicted to food. It’s just that the particular foods that they eat are addictive.

Stephanie Relfe said “Fast food is part of junk food, but it’s not the only source of it because supermarkets are full of junk” (http://www.activistpost.com/2013/10/junk-food-is-addicting-and-killing.html)

Many people know that junk food is fattening and unhealthy, one would think that all fast food outlets would have closed down by now.

However, since many people still give their money to junk food companies and because junk food is a major cause of obesity. The researcher observes that fast food is considered a normal eating venture among the average person.

Having background information in eating fast food will help the readers to realize the advantages and disadvantages of fast food.

Aside from explaining what fast food is and what are the causes and effects of it, The purpose of making this paper is to make the readers realize that there are advantages in eating fast food.

B.      Statement of the problem

This study aims to answer the question:

1. Why fast food is bad to your health?

C.      Significance of the Study

Teenagers.  This research paper would be able to help them in controlling their food because fast food can harm their health.

Future researchers. This study could help some scientists find a new way to help people avoid eating at fast food restaurants.

D.      Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on the disadvantage of eating fast food that includes health problems and some mental health.

This study will no longer tells about the history or the fast food. It will only focus on the advantage and disadvantages of fast food in our health.

E.       Materials and Methods

This paper consists of articles gathered from the internet that is all about fast food.

This paper will be analyzed by indicating the studies that have been done by some researchers and nutritionists.

F.       Definition of terms

1.       Fast food.  Is  the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low food preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated or precooked ingredients, and served to the customer in a packaged form for take-out/take-away. (Source: http://www.statisticbrain.com/fast-food-statistics/)

2.       Health.  The condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit. The general condition of the body. (Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/health)

3.       Nutrition. The act or process of nourishing or being nourished; specifically: the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances. (Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutrition)

CHAPTER 2

DISCUSSION

Why fast food is bad to your health?

Definition of Fast food

Fast food, according to the Meriam – Webster Dictionary is (a) “relating to, or specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly” ; (b) “designed ready availability, use, or consumption and with little consideration given to quality or significance. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-food) On a deep definition, fast food is something that you can have in just one click or a food that you can have easily when you are in a hurry.

                Another definition of fast food is shown on the website, Help Guide, wherein it states that Fast food is cheap, convenient, filling, and to many of us it tastes good. Unfortunately, eating just one fast food meal can pack enough calories, sodium and fat for an entire day or more. Eating fast food on a regular basis can lead to a host of different health problems. But still, the quick and cheap temptation can be often be hard to resist. (http://www.healthorg.com/)

                According to an article written by Karen Hellesvig-Gaskell, Fast foods are characterized as quick, easily accessible and cheap alternatives to home-cooked meals, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They also tend to be high in saturated fat, sugar, salt and calories. According to the NIH, many fast food chains have responded to growing public awareness about nutrition by offering some food that is lower in fat and calories than their normal fare.

               

Why do we eat so much fast food?

Many people like to eat fast food daily and the chances that they eat traditional food are gradually decreasing. At present fast food shops is rapidly increasing not only here in the Philippines but also all over the world. Many people eat fast food because it has some benefits. Most people think or feel that it is delicious especially when they saw it in the commercial ads. Another benefit is that they can take it easily because most of the fast food is very affordable and they can buy it everywhere and eat it at once. So that, we can say that many people choose to have fastfood instead of traditional food.

According to an article entitled “Why do we eat so much fast food?” by Sara Clark, There are three things we seem to like about our fast food. First, it clearly states that most people knows that fast food is bad for them but they keep on eating it all over again because their bodies and mind craved the taste. “Fast food is cheap, its tasty and it saves time” (http://www.fastfoodnation.co.uk)

Eating fast food is not good to us especially in our health. Most of us know that it can cause to obesity, heart problems and diabetes but we’ve keep on eating it all over again because we became addicted to it.

An article entitled “Americans are obsessed with fast food” by Eric Schlosser states that fast food is so popular. It’s easy, It’s convenient and inexpensive compared to other foods it’s something that many people can go out and enjoy. Also, according to that article McDonalds is the most popular fast food chain. They introduced a way to eat fast food without knives, forks or plates. “Get people back into the kitchen and combat the trend toward processed food and fast food” (http://www.cbsnews.com)

Why fast food is bad to your health?

Here in the technology and information age, we have more knowledge and advancements than ever before in history. Sixty years ago, who would have ever thought that you could send an instant message over a phone, let alone take a picture with it? Sixty years ago, who would have thought we would be capable of sending a man to the moon, but fail the war on obesity and cancer?

According to an article “10 worst effects of fast food” by Ejaz Khan states that fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served quickly. Fast food can also be defined as any food that contributes little or no nutrient value to the diet but instead provides excess calories and fat. Fast food is harmful to health. It is a cause of various diseases. And here are somme most common disease and other side effects caused by fast food.

Obesity- means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too weight gain. Even small amount of fast food can increase your calorie intake considerably.

Heart disease- people who eat fast food four or more times a week up theri risk of dying from heart disease by 80 percent. Fast foods create a much higher risk of heart disease because of the high level of saturated or trans fats found in much of the food.

“Fast food can be a good way to save time but it is not proper way for nutrition”  It is true that we can save time in buying or eating fast food but we don’t know that it can also lead us to some health problems. (http://www.wonderlist.com)

 CHAPTER 3

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

This paper attempted to determine the health benefits of eating in fast food.

The research format used in this study is the descriptive method in data from documents and interviews were used to answer the research question. The research findings are the following:

1.       Fast food is not only bad for physical health but also for mental health. Mental health is much more than the absence of mental illness.

2.       Fast food promotes impatience. Fast food companies make us fat and tempt the children with some advertising.

3.       Fast food can cause major illness like obesity, heart problems and diabetes.

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are occurred:

1.       The benefits of fast food, it is quick and you can save time in present busy lifestyle.

2.       The major disadvantage of fast food is the effect that it has on one’s health. It is true that fast food is unhealthier than home cooked meals, as it contains higher amount of unwanted nutrients.

Recommendations

After having the conclusions of the study, the researcher hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:

1.       We need to realize that traditional food is better even though it will take a lot of time to do it but it is worth every minute because it is healthier than eating fast food.

2.       Remember health is wealth.

References:

John Spartan (2008) Advantages and disadvantages of fast food. (http://www.knolarticles.com)

Karen Sessions (2002) How unhealthy is fast food (http://www.criticalbench.com)

Ejaz Khan (2000) 10 Worst effects of fast food (http://www.wonderlist.com)