Fast-Food Restaurants Are Killing Us!

Fast food joints have become as ubiquitous in this country as gas stations and convenience stores. What used to be only a burger and fries, is now tacos, pizza, fried chicken, fish, pasta, ice cream, etc..etc… If you crave it, there’s a place that sells it, fast and cheap. And as if taking advantage of you weren’t bad enough, get this: Two studies released in the past month show, that like any bad influence, the fast food industry doesn’t discriminate, even children and pregnant women aren’t safe!

• Schools within 500 ft. of a fast food restaurant have higher obesity rates. A study by researchers from Columbia University and the University of California surveyed obesity rates among 3 million ninth graders in California. They found that “the presence of a fast-food restaurant within a tenth of a mile of a school is associated with at least a 5.2 percent increase in the obesity rate in that school.” Reuters News

• The same study from Columbia University/ University of California also surveyed more than 1 million pregnant women living in Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas. It found that pregnant women living within the 1/10 mile of a fast-food restaurant, had a “4.4 percent increase in the probability of gaining over 20 kilos (44 pounds).” Gaining too much weight during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes, raise the likelihood of need for cesarean delivery, and can cause high blood pressure. Reuters News

• The more fast-food restaurants in a neighborhood, the more likely people are to suffer strokes, University of Michigan researchers reported last month. They surveyed data from residents living in Texas communities with the highest concentration of fast-food restaurants, to those living in areas with the lowest. Relative stroke-risk increased one percent for each fast-food restaurant in a neighborhood. Reuters News

These studies raise a huge issue: Is this a problem that concerns us as a society?

Does this mean that we have to accept that obesity, and the health issues related to it, are more than just problems concerning the affected individuals? Even if ideals such as empathy, are set aside, and the issue is seen objectively, the problem of obesity at minimum affects the health care system- costs of care, increased insurance rates, allocation of manpower and resources, etc…

So what do we do now? Does the government have to get involved? There are individuals that are going so far as to suggest proposing new ordinances to limit how close fast food restaurants can be to schools.

More laws and new regulations are expensive too! Quite frankly, as long as we keep buying happy meals for our kids, and getting big macs for ourselves, these franchises will stay in business, no matter if they’re 500 ft. or 2000 ft. away from the school building.

Finally, it is true that many of these fast food places are starting to offer healthier options, which is a start. But come on, who actually goes to McDonald’s for a salad fix?

As always, feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments.  Thanks for reading!

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