The Junk Food Contagion (Essay Sample)

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The Junk Food Contagion
Consumption of junk food is on the rise on the expansion of fast foods and restaurants. Junk foods are predominantly foods with low nutritional contents (Hutchinson 857). Various fast food products considered junk are debatable on actual nutritional content. Cheeseburgers, croissants, fresh fries, and pizzas are some of the common junk foods sold by fast foods. Nutritionists have in the past lobbied on the regulation of advertisements by sellers to curb excess consumption. The essay evaluates the major causes of eating junk food and related effects of junk food consumption.
Reasons for Consuming Junk Food
Consumption of Junk food has varied amongst consumers globally. However, similar trends exist amongst consumers from different countries. Lifestyle changes, an increase in advertisements for junk food and affluence has contributed to the high consumption of junk food.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Changes and growth in the economic systems have majorly contributed to the consumption of junk food. Career development has made more employees work for lengthy hours and extended shifts. Furthermore, employers allowing only short lunch breaks are dissuading employees from preparing healthy diets. Involvement of women in economic activities, especially in third world countries, has further worsened the situation. Reports indicate families prefer fast foods than more nutritious diets prepared at home (Hu 1250). Furthermore, food courts established within residential areas and within school premises have further endeared convenience food to the consumers. Consequently, consumers facing lifestyle changes are consuming more junk food than previously.
Advertising
Promotion and marketing of junk food have surpassed $4.2 billion in advertising expenses in the USA (Harris and Samantha 220). Fast food behemoths such as KFC and McDonalds are increasingly sponsoring sporting activities to expand the customer base of convenience food. Food courts are quickly expanding in cities and urban towns to increase sales. Moreover, Supermarkets are increasingly offering in-house catering services to net a larger customer base. Concerns have previously been raised on the increased advertisements of junk food while nutritionists have lobbied for stringent legislation on overconsumption of fast food. Therefore, advertising has greatly influenced consumption of junk food globally.
Affluence
Growth and expansion of emerging economies have increased disposable incomes enabling citizens consume more fast foods than before. Affluent young income earners are more attracted to fancy eat outs and majorly spend leisure time within the eat outs (Allen and Carolyn 9). KFC is expanding rigorously in emerging markets such as Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. Fast foods courts targeting affluent clients are earning more in revenues and a large, loyal customer base. Reports indicate foods courts are some of the most visited places in major shopping malls in the USA. Consequently, affluent citizens have further exacerbated the situation.
Effects of Consuming Junk Food
Effects emanating from consumption of junk food are life-threatening and expensive to treat. Majorly, consumption of convenience food results to health problems, overeating and disintegration of the societal norms.
Health Problems
Consumption of junk food regularly has resulted to higher likelihoods of suffering obesity, depression, stress and ulcers. Consumption of convenience food results in hormonal imbalance resulting in mood swings, often symptoms of depression. Reports indicate by 2050 obesity related cases will amount to 42% of diseases in the USA (Malik, Walter and Frank 19). Candy sold within fast food courts has more than 1500mg of Sodium slightly lower than the daily recommended sodium consumption levels. Furthermore, consumers are more likely to suffer from nutrient deficiency and loss of appetite. Consequently, consumers of junk food are likely to suffer from unhealthy ailments.
Social Challenges
Families are losing the culture of eating together unlike previously where dining together was more important as a family. Different working schedules for either parent have resulted to family members eating out, leading to loss of family traditions. Moreover, children are unable to socialize with parents leading social withdrawals. Reports indicate that regular consumption of junk food by children leads to a higher risk of suffering from depression. Absent parents have led to suffering and anguish amongst the children. Furthermore, obese children are twice more likely to be bullied than normal children (Ruhm 790). Consequently, social challenges are more common today than in the past.
Overeating
Consumption of junk has led to irregular eating schedules and increased consumption of junk food. Consumers are more likely to consume convenience regularly resulting in overeating. Furthermore, major food courts have longer operating hours attracting customers throughout the day. Food servings served within have high calories that cause eating disorders leading to addiction to junk food by consumers (Holt 240). Nutritionists are alarmed by the trend and have suggested punitive measures against the industry players. However, food courts have re...