The Fault in our Fries: how fast food affects our health

Whether it is a weekend-only treat or just a quick alternative after a long day of work, there is no denying that fast food is Britain’s best friend. Nowadays, more and more people in the UK are ditching the veggies for takeaway meals, spending a whopping £1320 a year on these choices.

And we can’t really blame them. With the constant increase in the number of fast food joints over the years, it is hard to resist the temptation to indulge in burgers and fries or a takeaway meal.

“It’s a nice change and it doesn’t require an effort.” says Helen Morley, one of the many students who is a follower of the fast food trend. “Plus, I don’t have to clean afterwards.” she added.

Holly Smith, first-year journalism student at the University of Central Lancashire has the same opinion, as she revealed her fast food habits in a short interview.

As to the frequency people consume fast food, a recent poll on Twitter shows that most of the voters choose to eat fast food meals a few times a month.

Deprived areas seem to be the ones who are the most affected by the increasing popularity of fast food restaurants, as the University of Cambridge revealed a 43% increase in the total number of fast food and takeaway restaurants in the last 18 years, significantly higher than in the less deprived areas, which scored a 30% rise.

Derby is the crowned winner in this ‘competition’ with 0.189 stores per 1000 inhabitants, followed up by Bristol, who managed to score 0.188 stores per 1000 people.

But what happens when the occasional fast-food treat turns into an everyday ordeal? Many people are starting to find that on their own.

Research shows that nearly 65% of British people are overweight or obese. The study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) revealed that 57% of women and 67% of men are in the overweight or obese ranges, with Body Mass Indexes (BMI) over 25.

Scientists believe that the excessive consumption of fast food and takeaway meals on a long-term basis are very likely to affect a person’s health in the long run, significantly increasing the risks of developing various illnesses.

James Gardner, GP and lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, explains in an interview how fast food and takeaway meals can affect a person’s life and what alternative food choices are recommended to stay healthy.

Among the diseases that can be triggered by a diet rich in fast food and takeaway meals, diabetes poses the biggest threat to consumers as the lack of fibres, together with the high quantity of salt and fat disrupts the body’s ability to process insulin, making the cells resistant to the hormone.

Heart diseases are also possible outcomes of poor nutrition caused by excessive fast food consumption. The high level of salt in the products triggers a spike in blood pressure, making people more prone to congestive heart failure. The risk of developing a heart condition is further increased by the amount of saturated fats takeaway and fast food meals contain, which causes blockages in the arteries.

According to studies conducted by British Heart Foundation, 27% of deaths all over the United Kingdom are a result of cardiovascular diseases, the equivalent of approximately 155.000 each year.

So is there still a light at the end of the tunnel for British people? The answer depends on how dedicated they are to changing their lifestyle. With a drastic transition of diet from fast food calorie bombs to healthier meals that include more fruits and vegetables and regular exercise, doctors and nutritionists claim people can significantly reduce the risk of developing life-threatening diseases and lead healthier lives.

How often do you eat fast food? Leave a comment below or on Facebook or Twitter with your response and opinion about this subject.