Fast Food and Obesity

By Christian V. Cruz

Before advancing and developing information and communication technology, the food industry has made
remarkable innovation through the "fast food" mechanism. The fast-food sector (FFI) emerged to introduce
and promote affordable and convenient food choices. Thus, this industry has significantly contributed to the
global economy, especially in the United States of America (USA), generated revenues, provided
employment, and conducted expansions (Jacobs, 2014). However, amidst its significant economic
contributions, researches provided various evidence and findings regarding its impact and influence on
health, particularly obesity (Alviola IV, Nayga Jr., Thomsen, Danforth, & Smartt, 2014), (Currie, DelaVigna,
Moretti, & Pathania, 2009), (Newman, Howlett, & Burton, 2013). Based on these, relevant questions can
be inferred, such as "Does FFI may be blamed for the increasing rates of obesity?" Is obesity a personal
responsibility, or the government must intervene to solve this alarming health issue? In this regard, this
article presents a perspective, based on a thorough analysis and review of selected journal articles, about
the impact and influence of fast food on obesity.

Origin of Fast Food Industry

FFI began years after the Second World War at the birth of consumerism in America (Jacobs, 2014).
Husbands and wives had become preoccupied with their work and were away from home most of the time.
Eating outside has become a more convenient choice than eating inside their houses. One of the most
suitable food items to be introduced and has been widely consumed was Hamburger. As a food choice,
Hamburger gains popularity in 1921 during the establishment of a restaurant named "White Castle" in
Wichita, Kansas (Jacobs, 2014). Such development paved the way for the opening of other fast-food chains
such as Mcdonald's in 1948, which became one of the giants in the FFI in the world (Jacobs, 2014). The
further expansion of Mcdonald's led to other food chains such as Taco Bell, KFC, Subway, and others. The
progress of FFI became an effective and efficient framework and scheme in business because such only
requires low cost for labor but generates higher income (Manifesto of the fast-food worker - Socialist
Alternative (U.S.), 2013). Economically that gives a concrete example of capitalism, which introduced a
mentality for fast-food chain employees to work more to earn more. Individuals who were unskilled and did
not finish their education were preferred and hired over those who were educated and skilled because of
low-cost labor (Manifesto of the fast-food worker - Socialist Alternative (U.S.), 2013).

The Influence of Fast Food on Obesity

Contrary to its economic success, FFI has been an essential factor to health—particularly on obesity.
Obesity is a health condition wherein an individual gain excess adipose fats due to over-eating (Karasu,
2012), (Hodges, 2003), (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2012), (Shepherd, 2009). Moreover,
empirical findings considered obesity a significant health problem that might higher health risks and
mortality. Specifically, obesity has been associated with several dreadful illnesses such as cardiovascular
diseases, cancers, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, infertility, orthopedic-related problems, and even
psychological conditions such as depression and psychosomatic-related disorders (Finkelstein, Ruhm, &
Kosa, 2005), (Shepherd, 2009). Hence, the more relevant question is "what caused obesity?"
A vast number of studies provided various but conflicting findings on the causes of obesity. Some authors
argued that a sedentary lifestyle or persistent accumulation of energy without regularly consuming or
burning leads to weight and obesity (Hodges, 2003), (Cheong, Kandiah, Chinna, Chan, & Saad, 2010). In
other words, an imbalance between food consumption and food energy use is associated with weight gain
(Shepherd, 2009). In contrast, some authors reported that the availability and proximity of a fast food outlet
in a community could be associated with obesity and weight gain. For example, (Currie, DelaVigna, Moretti,
& Pathania, 2009) of the National Bureau of Economic Research researched the influence of proximity and
availability of Fast food on 9th graders in a school pregnant women in California. They found out that a fast
food outlet within one-tenth of a mile from the school is associated with a 5.2 % increase in obesity rates
for the 9th graders.
Meanwhile, half of a mile distance of their residence from a fast food outlet was not associated with obesity
for pregnant women. However, it is linked to a 1.6 % rate of gaining an average of 20 kilos, with a larger
effect at one-tenth mile proximity from a fast food outlet. Similarly, in the United Kingdom (U.K.), (Cetateanu
& Jones, 2014), (Fraser, Edwards, Tominitz, Clarke, & Hill, 2012) found out that obesity is associated not
only with availability or location of fast food outlets but including deprivation of food, weigh status and
ethnicity. Consistent with that, (Alviola IV, Nayga Jr., Thomsen, Danforth, & Smartt, 2014), in their study
conducted in Arkansas, found out that exposure to fast-food restaurants has an impact on weight outcomes.
However, (Cheong, Kandiah, Chinna, Chan, & Saad, 2010) Malaysia, socioeconomic factors, worksite, and
food environment were associated with weight gain. These findings imply that other than sedentary
lifestyles, fast food availability, socioeconomic factors, and environment can be associated with obesity and
weight gain. These insights are consistent with the emergence of the fast-food industry to provide affordable
and convenient food choices intended for minimum wage earners.

Possible Solutions for Obesity

Amidst the large number of evidence linking fast food to obesity and weight gain, associations
would not mean the cause directly impact obesity. Hence, there is no empirical and theoretical support to
blame FFI as the culprit for higher rates of obesity. This fact holds even in jurisprudence. In (Mello, Rimm,
& Studdert, 2003), Mcdonalds Corporation received lawsuits and was being held accountable for high
obesity rates in the U.S. The petitioner accused the Fast Food Chain giant of deception in advertising and
unhealthy ingredients for its products, which led to massive consumption and patronizing from the public.
However, the court dropped the case because the petitioner failed to show enough evidence that
Mcdonalds incurred a direct influence on obesity.

On the lighter side, if higher rates of obesity have been linked to fast food availability and exposure,
other factors have been associated with its decrease. In (Hodges 2003) reported that parental influence
could contribute to their children's weight increase and decrease. How parents perceived their children's
weight status could help in monitoring their eating behaviors. This notion implies that education on food
contents, ingredients, nutrients, and their effect on the body is much needed. Besides, a change of lifestyle
from sedentary to active can help burn and reduce unnecessary excess adipose muscles (Shepherd, 2009).

Conclusion
Obesity is an alarming health concern for the public. Fast food industries have been blamed as a
significant factor in this health risk. However, empirical support only provided evidence on its (FFI)
association to obesity. Meanwhile, obesity has also been linked to other factors such as sedentary lifestyle,
food deprivation, and socioeconomic factors. In other words, obesity can either be socially influenced and
can be personally motivated. Hence, based on empirical findings, parental influence and change of lifestyle
are perceived as a solution. On a larger scale, institutions such as the government, education, and business
sectors play an essential role in this concern (Brindala, Mohra, Wilsona, & Witter, 2008), (Finkelstein, Ruhm,
& Kosa, 2005), (Watts, Lovato, Barr, & Hanning, 2015). The government can promulgate laws and policies
mandating FFI to provide information to the public about the food that they are serving. Schools can
reinforce their curriculum, particularly on health education. Moreover, FFI can provide healthy yet affordable
alternative food choices.

References:

Alviola IV, P. A., Nayga Jr., R. M., Thomsen, M. R., Danforth, D., & Smartt, J. (2014). The effect of fast-food
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Brindala, E., Mohra, P., Wilsona, C., & Witter, G. (2008). Obesity and the effects of choice at a Fast Food
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Cetateanu, A., & Jones, A. (2014). Understanding the relationship between food environments, deprivation and
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Cheong, S. M., Kandiah, M., Chinna, K., Chan, Y. M., & Saad, H. A. (2010). Prevalence of Obesity and Factors
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Finkelstein, E. A., Ruhm, C. J., & Kosa, K. M. (2005). Economic Causes and Consequences of Obesity. Annual Review
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Fraser, L., Edwards, K., Tominitz, M., Clarke, G., & Hill, A. (2012). Food outlet availability, deprivation and obesity in
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