Fast food has become more common throughout the years. The first fast food restaurant to ever open in the United States was “White Castle” in 1921.  According to Investopedia, McDonald’s is considered the largest fast-food restaurant chain in the world. However, are people aware of the dangers of eating fast food?

Many times people choose to eat fast food since they receive their food quickly and also because fast food is easy to get. However, this ease could bring many problems to your health that you may not be aware of. 

“I prefer home cooked food, however fast food is very convenient because I do not have to cook my own food and wash the dishes,” said senior Dejon Young. 

Although fast food is quick and easy to get, it is typically poor in terms of nutrition as the food contains various substances that are considered to be unhealthy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Fast food is high on “sugar, salt, saturated or trans fats, and many processed preservatives and ingredients.” Consuming foods high on these substances greatly increases the risk of developing serious health conditions.

Currently a very common health condition among children and adolescents is obesity.  The number of people with obesity in the United States has been on the rise in the past years and it is expected to keep ascending throughout the upcoming years. 

Obesity itself could lead to a high number of serious health conditions including diabetes, high cholesterol, respiratory problems and even cancer. 

In fact, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), “approximately one in three children and teenagers is obese or overweight.” Some teenagers are aware of the dangers of eating fast food. “I know that fast food could cause serious problems, but it does taste good,” said senior Lauryn Burwell. 

Research suggests that the consumption of fast food was much more common among teenagers than children. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “over one-third of children and adolescents are consuming fast food on any given day,” which could be accredited to the number of people with obesity being on the rise. 

According to WebMD, fast food could also make you tired and affect your mood. Have you ever felt moody or tired after eating fast food? (leave your responses down below). 

People should make an informed decision by researching the nutritional content of the fast food items that they would be consuming.  Studies have found that people who eat more home-cooked meals are less likely to gain weight. It is important to keep in mind that nothing in excess is good.