Harmful Effect of Fast Foods

Running head: HARMFUL EFFECT OF FAST FOODS
Harmful Effect of Fast Foods
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HARMFUL EFFECT OF FAST FOODS
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In recent time, it is observed that, prevalence of fast food consumption among the
people is enhancing greatly and more specifically the young generation of the society is
highly attracted to the consumption of the fast foods. Fas food refers to those foods that can
be prepared quickly and most of the cases, it is reported that, those foods contain high amount
of saturated fats and calories. As a consequence of the high prevalence of fast food
consumption, the problem of obesity among the population has been enhanced in a great
manner. The problem of obesity among the population not only affects the health condition
of the people but also affects the society in a general manner (Herforth & Ahmed, 2015). In
this essay, the social impact of fast food consumption and the ways of addressing this
problem is discussed in a brief manner.
The consumption of fast foods is greatly affecting the common good of the society as
it is altering the health of the population in the society. In recent time, it is reported that, due
to the fast pace nature of lifestyle of the population is greatly affecting the consumption of the
fast foods in the society as well. Moreover, less amount of time for making healthy foods and
time saving nature of the human being is totally associated with the higher prevalence of fast
food consumption in the society. Moreover, the aggressive marketing strategy of the fast food
companies is altering the common goods of the society as well by encouraging more people
to consume such kinds of foods that contain more amount of saturated fatty acids and
calories. However, it is quite evident that, the fast food consumption is associated with the
problem of obesity and overweight. As this problem is associated with the social disease
burden of the society so, it can be said that, the any kind of promotion of fast food
consumption can be counted as alteration of common good in the society (Reicks, Kocher &
Reeder, 2018). According to the study of Joseph et al. (2015), it is reported that fast food
consumption is correlated with the health hazards and in order to reduce the burden from the
society, awareness program should be executed as a part of the restoration of common good

HARMFUL EFFECT OF FAST FOODS
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in the society as well. Moreover, this study also reported that, higher frequency of fast food
consumption among the children can promote the prevalence of obesity and overweight
among the children. So, it can be said that, alteration of common good is associated with the
high consumption of fast foods.
In order to mitigate the bad effects of fast food consumption in the society a few
strategies can be recommended. The dietary improvement strategy is one of the important
strategies for reducing the bad effect of fast food consumption. According to the study of
Grigger et al. (2016), it is reported that, the dietary improvement strategy is very effective in
preventing the surge in obesity and overweight among the people of society. A dietary
intervention strategy mainly focuses on the enhanced consumption of healthy core foods such
as dairy products, vegetables and fruits as well. According to the study of Pelletier, Graham
and Laska (2014), dietary intervention strategy is quite effective in reducing the discretionary
choices of foods. The study of Grigger et al. (2016), showed concluded that, the restriction of
the portion size was useful for lowering the energy intake. Moreover, the reformulation of
foods from the higher fat content to lower fat content is also helpful for reducing the saturated
fat intake. Along with this, it is also reported that, the substitution of fast foods by high fibre
content foods, fruits, low calorie foods can also be effective in reducing the fat intake among
the population. Therefore, in another study by Morris et al. (2015), it is reported that use of
supplementation foods such as wholegrain cereals and nuts can also be effective in
improvement of the overall diet of quality. On the other hand the study of Hendry et al.
(2016), revealed that, the application of combined intervention of permissive and restrictive
nutrition intervention may also effectively work on the reduction of fast food consumption
and simultaneously help in the modification of behaviour that can reduce the fast food
consumption. On the other hand, the strategy of preparing foods in the households is an
effective strategy for reducing the fast food consumption among the adults. According to the