The harmful value of value meals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The harmful value of value meals - Essay Example For instance, Yum! Brands Inc., has established 38,000 restaurants globally; and McDonalds has set-up a total of 33,000 chains from all over the continent. Hence, it is no surprise why fast food is already served at restaurants, drive-through, schools and universities, bus stations, airports, and even at hospitals. People’s fast food preference may be due to the fact that it is served quicker; thus, allowing them to maximize their time and become more efficient in their daily tasks. Likewise, others opt to buy fast food for their meal because it is delicious and very affordable. However, little did they know that as they consume more and more fast food each day, they are putting themselves in high danger of acquiring various fatal diseases. Obesity Obesity (i.e. a body mass index of greater than or equal to 30) is one of the detrimental effects of too much fast food consumption. According to Brindal et al., fast food contains highly dense and high level of fats and calories pe r serving high (113). Thus, over-consumption of fast food makes people more susceptible to gaining weight, which usually exceeds the normal status. According to the World Health Organization (â€Å"Obesity and Overweight†), since the year 1980, the total number of global-wide obesity has doubled; and just recently, the total number of people who are obese has reached more than 500 million. Obesity makes people’s life more difficult and hassle because people with a very heavy weight cannot move freely, which makes less mobile. As an effect, they may develop other complications like being bow-legged (especially for obese children), sleep disturbances like sleep apnea, asthma, arthritis, and poor surgical and childbirth outcomes (for mothers) Clarke (â€Å"Health Risks†). The worst is, WHO (â€Å"Obesity and Overweight†) made it clear that obesity is more deadly than being underweight. Aside from the physical danger brought by obesity to people, it may also put them in a state of emotional crisis. Obesity may lead to depression because of the hormonal imbalance that happens inside the body as more fats are consumed (Bessesen, Hill and Wyatt). Aside from that, being obese, unfortunately, increases their chances of being the subject of negative judgment, severe bullying, and social discrimination. Considering the societal norm of beauty and ideal body structure, being obese does not qualify to the established standards. Thus, obese individuals need to handle those emotional and social challenges in which only few may endure. Some may resort to suicide because for them, it is better to end their lives than to continuously experience the trauma of being rejected. Apparently, this is how far fast food eating can throw people. By merely wanting to experience the comfort fast food offers, they need to carry the physical and emotional burden it brings. However, this is just one of the reasons why it is practical to abolish the practice of eati ng fast food. Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is another health problem that may arise as a result of fast food eating. Fast foods such as soft drinks or soda, French fries, shakes, sandwiches, burger, pizza pies, etc. are rich in carbohydrates (Clarke â€Å"Why is Fast Food†). Too much carbohydrate intake increases the level of the blood component triglyceride, which results to either, failure of the pancreas to produce enough amount of insulin or body system’s improper insulin use (Clarke â€Å"Why is Fast Food†). This scenario exposes individuals to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, for sugar in their body will build up in the bloodstream instead of being utilized for energy. For instance, in the