Diseases

Food consumption is an important part of the human living style. Much like how humans
evolve, the way of food consumption evolved as well. A typical American food lifestyle can
usually revolve around fast foods. With the busy time schedule, people try to fit eating at least 3
times a day within each day resorting to eating fast food. As a result to excess fast food
consumption, much of America is suffering from a various amount of diseases from metabolic
disease, to heart disease, kidney dysfunctions, and most commonly, type two diabetes.
So to say, a few of the diseases caused by excessive fast food consumption can be
prevented. In diabetes, the risk of contracting it can increase from eating the wrong types of
foods. Eating fast-food meals more than twice per week can cause an average 10-pound weight
increase. Carrying extra weight increases the risk of insulin resistance and type two diabetes.
Therefore, by decreasing the amount of fatty and fast foods, the chance of contracting diabetes
especially if a person has a family history of diabetes. Similar to diabetes, another disease is
known to cause high-blood pressure, also known as Hypertension. Eating burgers, tacos, fries,
contain high contents of sodium which can also increase the progression of clogged arteries (aka
atherosclerosis) and heart disease (livestrong.com) . Both diseases have only been known to be
a Kings disease because of how Kings ate. It has changed worldwide because of the mass
production of food chains. However, most countries control their food habits to prevent the
spread of diabetes and atherosclerosis. Healthy eating states that Junk food is food that is
calorie-dense and nutrient poor..food consumption in the US have increased dramatically with
25% of people predominantly having junk food diets.

Another disease that can concur is depression. Healthy Eating reports that eating junk
food may lead to depression in teenagers. Due to hormone changes during puberty, teenagers
are more susceptible to mood and behavioral swings. A healthy diet plays a part in keeping
hormone levels on an even keel while a diet high in junk food falls short of these requirements.
Along with depression, it is possible to also be nutrient deficient. When children consume large
amounts of junk food, the leads them to not only nutrient deficiencies, but also sleep disturbance,
mood swings, decrease of energy, and other health conditions. Depression may not always be due
to eating junk food; it can be caused from other reasons and sources and may not be preventable
in some cases. As for nutrient deficiency, it is possible for someone to be born with this
deficiency, but it is preventable for others. Medications, over-the-counter and prescribed can be
taken to control the nutrition levels. However, some medications can lead to serious side effects
such as a cardiac arrest. Unless some were born with it, these diseases may not have always been
prevalent. Just as said for diabetes and hypertension, it has changed because of the amount of fast
food people consume but is not always the same everywhere. All in all, the most effective way to
prevent these diseases is to have a well balanced diet.
Based on myself, the Filipino culture eats a great deal of rice, condiments, and meats. In
the most common dish, lechon contains about 35g of total fat in just one serving (Calorie Count).
Filipinos also eat rice with pretty much every meal which contains a sum of carbohydrates.
Because of my culture, my family also has a family history of diabetes. If I continue with the
fatty foods, I have a very high risk of getting diabetes along with the risk of heart disease, fatty
liver, or kidney failure. There are a few economic factors in Americas obesity rate. In a few
stores, the fatty foods such as chips, soda, and processed food, are much cheaper than if you
looked in the vegetable section. Because of the price range, people are more susceptible to get

the cheaper foods. Another factor could be the large amount of food given like in Costco. Culture
can also play a part in large weight issues. Yes, people can always control what they eat to
contain a balanced food diet, but some also are influenced by the culture. Similar to myself, other
cultures may have food that contain high nutrition facts. If a food contains high sodium, a person
who eats this constantly will have a higher risk to get hypertension
In conclusion, Americans who regularly consume fast foods are at a higher risk to
contract these diseases as well as many more diseases. Eating an excessive amount of fast food
or high content food can cause depression, hypertension, diabetes, and nutrition deficiency. To
prevent it would simply be to just have a well balanced diet, exercise daily, and to follow the
recommended food pyramid.

Works Cited

"Calories in Lechon." Calorie Count. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.

<http://www.caloriecount.com/calories-lechon-i421701>.
Clarke, Nancy. "Diseases Caused by Eating Too Much Fast Food." Live Strong.
Demand Media Inc., 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.livestrong.com/article/
442066-diseases-caused-by-eating-too-much-fast-food/>.
Roizman, Tracey. "Reasons Eating Junk Food Is Not Good." SFGATE. N.p., n.d. Web.
8 Mar. 2015. <http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/
reasons-eating-junk-food-not-good-3364.html>.

Vagnini, Fox, Frederic, Barry, MD, PhD. "Preventing Pharmaceutical-Induced

Nutritional Deficiencies." Life Extension. Life Extension, Mar. 2006. Web.
8 Mar. 2015. <http://www.lef.org/magazine/2006/3/report_drugs/
Page-01>.