Vasantdada Patil Pratishthan's College of Engineering &

Visual Arts

Effects of
FAST
food
on
Youth's Health
Under Guidance of-
Earesh Kendole
Our Team Members
Ayush Singh Ayush Patel
VU1F2021027 VU1F2021030

Shankendu Kunti Sahil Thakur

VU1F2021031 VU1F2021042

Prathamesh Wagh
VU1F2021040
 Introduction
The world is currently facing an obesity epidemic, which puts people at risk
for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Junk food can contribute
to obesity and yet it is becoming a part of our everyday lives because of our
fast-paced lifestyles. Life can be jam-packed when you are juggling school,
sport, and hanging with friends and family! Junk food companies make food
convenient, tasty, and affordable, so it has largely replaced preparing and
eating healthy homemade meals. Junk foods include foods like burgers, fried
chicken, and pizza from fast-food restaurants, as well as packaged foods like
chips, biscuits, and ice-cream, sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, fatty
meats like bacon, sugary cereals, and frozen ready meals.
 Introduction
Globally, young adolescents, especially those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs),
are experiencing a nutritional transition in the form of a dramatic shift in food-consumption
patterns from their respective countries’ traditional diet to a Westernized diet. Fast food is a
common component of Western-style diets, and is energy-dense, nutrient-poor, low in fiber
and micronutrients, and high in refined grains, sodium, and sugar. As is well known, fast-
food consumption is linked to poor dietary habits (e.g. a higher intake of carbonated soft-
drinks and sweets and a lower intake of fruits and vegetables) and unmet nutrient
requirements. Failure to meet nutrient requirements during adolescence can result in growth
retardation, impaired organ remodeling, and micronutrient deficiencies. Such unhealthy
dietary habits in youth are thus associated with an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular
disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer in later adulthood.
 What Happens to Our Bodies Shortly After We Eat Junk Foods?

Food is made up of three major nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. There
are also vitamins and minerals in food that support good health, growth, and
development. Getting the proper nutrition is very important during our teenage
years. However, when we eat junk foods, we are consuming high amounts of
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which are quickly absorbed by the body.

Let us take the example of eating a cheeseburger. A burger typically contains

carbohydrates from the bun, proteins and fats from the patty, and fats from the
cheese and sauce. On average, a burger from a fast-food chain contains 36–40% of
your daily energy needs.
 What Happens to Our Bodies Shortly After We Eat Junk Foods?

A few hours to a few days after eating rich, heavy foods such as a burger,
unpleasant symptoms like tiredness, poor sleep, and even hunger can result.
Rather than providing an energy boost, junk foods can lead to a lack of
energy. For a short time, sugar (a type of carbohydrate) makes people feel
energized, happy, and upbeat as it is used by the body for energy. However,
refined sugar, which is the type of sugar commonly found in junk foods,
leads to a quick drop in blood sugar levels because it is digested quickly by
the body. This can lead tiredness and cravings.
 Long-Term Impacts of Junk Foods
If we eat mostly junk foods over many weeks, months, or years, there can be several long-term
impacts on health. Respected research studies found that young people who eat only small amounts
of saturated fat have lower total cholesterol levels. Frequent consumption of junk foods can also
increase the risk of diseases such as hypertension and stroke. Hypertension is also known as high
blood pressure and a stroke is damage to the brain from reduced blood supply, which prevents the
brain from receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive. Hypertension and stroke can
occur because of the high amounts of cholesterol and salt in junk foods. Furthermore, junk foods
can trigger the “happy hormone,” dopamine, to be released in the brain, making us feel good when
we eat these foods. This can lead us to wanting more junk food to get that same happy feeling
again. Other long-term effects of eating too much junk food include tooth decay and constipation.
Junk foods are typically low in fiber too, which has negative consequences for gut health in the long
term.
 Effect on the digestive and cardiovascular systems
Most fast food, including drinks and sides, are loaded with carbohydrates with little to no
fiber. When your digestive system breaks down these foods, the carbs are released as
glucose (sugar) into your bloodstream. As a result, your blood sugar increases. Your
pancreas responds to the surge in glucose by releasing insulin. Insulin transports sugar
throughout your body to cells that need it for energy. As your body uses or stores the
sugar, your blood sugar returns to normal. This blood sugar process is highly regulated by
your body, and as long as you’re healthy, your organs can properly handle these sugar
spikes. But frequently eating high amounts of carbs can lead to repeated spikes in your
blood sugar. Over time, these insulin spikes may cause your body’s normal insulin response
to falter. This increases your risk for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain.
 Effect on the respiratory system

Excess calories from fast-food meals can cause weight gain. This may lead toward
obesity.
Obesity increases your risk for respiratory problems, including asthma and shortness of
breath.
The extra pounds can put pressure on your heart and lungs and symptoms may show up
even with little exertion. You may notice difficulty breathing when you’re walking,
climbing stairs, or exercising.
For children, the risk of respiratory problems is especially clear. One study found that
children who eat fast food at least three times a week are more likely to develop asthma.

 Effect on the central nervous system

Fast food may satisfy hunger in the short term, but long-term results are
less positive.
People who eat fast food and processed pastries are 51 percent more likely to
develop depression than people who don’t eat those foods or eat very few of
them.
 Effect on the skeletal system (bones)

Carbs and sugar in fast food and processed food can increase acids in your
mouth. These acids can break down tooth enamel. As tooth enamel disappears,
bacteria can take hold, and cavities may develop. Obesity can also lead to
complications with bone density and muscle mass. People who are obese have
a greater risk for falling and breaking bones. It’s important to keep exercising
to build muscles, which support your bones, and maintain a healthy diet to
minimize bone loss.
 Conclusion
we know that junk foods are tasty, affordable, and convenient. This makes it hard to limit the
amount of junk food we eat. However, if junk foods become a staple of our diets, there can be
negative impacts on our health. We should aim for high-fiber foods such as whole grains,
vegetables, and fruits; meals that have moderate amounts of sugar and salt; and calcium-rich
and iron-rich foods. Healthy foods help to build strong bodies and brains. Limiting junk food intake
can happen on an individual level, based on our food choices, or through government policies and
health-promotion strategies. We need governments to stop junk food companies from
advertising to young people, and we need their help to replace junk food restaurants with more
healthy options. Researchers can focus on education and health promotion around healthy food
options and can work with young people to develop solutions. If we all work together, we can
help young people across the world to make food choices that will improve their short and long-
term health.