Consumption of fast food is one of the leading causes of childhood obesity in america today

Fast food consumption generate obesity, obesity has become a major problem in the United States, the United Kingdom and many other parts of the world. Fast food is an integral part of life in the developed and also the developing world, and it comes with a massive increase in obesity and associated problems. Children in the United States eat approximately five times the amount of fast food their counterparts ate in the 1980s. And Europe is not far behind them. Developing countries like China also have to face childhood obesity for the first time, now that western fast food chains have opened their doors in the major cities. A research project in the United States, carried out over a fifteen year period, has established that there is a definite link between the consumption of fast food and the increase in obesity. It was found that people who ate in fast food restaurants more than twice a week weighed on average four and a half pounds more than those who ate in these food outlets only occasionally and the “fast food junkies” are also twice as likely to suffer from obesity (Janssen, 1187).

Why does fast food cause obesity? Fast foods, such as burgers and fries are high in fat, salt and calories. In fact a super size meal can contain more calories than the average person should consume in an entire day. Unfortunately, meals consisting of junk food don't fill you up for long. Because they are lacking in fiber, and are made of processed foods, they tend to rate high on the glycaemic index, which means they provide a quick rise in blood sugar, but this also falls quickly, and giving rise to hunger.

Unless we cut down on our consumption of fast food, fast food obesity rates will continue to rise, creating a legacy of ill health for ourselves and our children. Obesity is a life threatening disease affecting 34% of adults in the U.S.; and nearly 67% of adults in the U.S. are either overweight or obese.

Between 2000 and 2005, obesity (BMI ?30) increased by 24%, morbid obesity (BMI ? 40) increased by 50% and super obesity (BMI ? 50) increased by 75%

In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%

As of 2006, 11% of preschoolers ages 2 to 5, 15% of children ages 6 to 11 and 18% of adolescents ages 12 to 19 are overweight

Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese

One in five American 4-year-olds are considered obese and the rate is higher among American Indian children, with nearly a third of them obese

A study of 5- to 17-year-olds ...