| Healthy weight loss programs can benefit | | | | prepared food can add about six pounds of extra |
| individuals yet the most traditional food in | | | | weight per year per child. The tendency to eat |
| America; fast foods and preprocessed foods are | | | | fast food limits the intake of healthy food in |
| not on the menu. Meals containing trans-fats | | | | children. Obviously there needs to be a reduction |
| certainly lead to a negative effect on general | | | | in the frequency of fast food consumption to |
| healthy choices, including weight. There are many | | | | bring about healthy weight loss and good nutrition. |
| side-effects due to poor nutrition such as this. | | | | Well balanced family meals should include foods |
| Physicians report greater risk to the development | | | | like fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains and |
| of cardiovascular disease in our youth due to their | | | | proteins by the children, teens and the rest of the |
| food intake. Other harmful side effects reported | | | | family as well. Children learn healthy choices by |
| are increase in abdominal fat, insulin resistance and | | | | what they see, not by what we say. |
| body mass index. | | | | General Health Risks: |
| Effects on Health: | | | | Fast snack meals increase glycemic levels at a |
| Fast food is taking its toll on our American youth | | | | higher rate affecting insulin levels. The rise in insulin |
| as seen in the promotion of weight gain and | | | | levels from fast food can predisposes the young |
| increasing risk to the incidence of Type 2 | | | | to go from weight gain to obesity. Certain |
| diabetes. Excessive calories are a significant issue | | | | research studies have indicated higher risk to |
| with the high concentration of refined sugar and | | | | asthma as well. It can initiate an addictive eating |
| fats. The use of hydrogenated oils which are | | | | behavior increasing risk to coronary artery |
| repeatedly reheated for the preparation of | | | | disease and high cholesterol conditions. |
| processed food also affects blood vessel health. It | | | | High serum concentration of cholesterol can clog |
| doesn't show up just in the time of youth, but | | | | arteries promoting risk to cerebral and |
| grows and is a major contributor to health issues | | | | cardiovascular accidents. Excess intake of fast |
| as we age. | | | | food in the young or old alike shifts them towards |
| The high concentration of compounds like sodium | | | | malnutrition. The deficiency of essential nutrients |
| increases blood pressure affecting the heart. Fast | | | | like vitamins and minerals occur when anyone's |
| food ingredients are not nutritionally balanced and | | | | meals consist of fast foods, sugars and fats. |
| lack presence of essential micronutrients. High | | | | Optimum Nutrition: |
| sodium intake has been indicated in the pathology | | | | Fast food meals should be replaced by natural |
| of kidney and liver diseases. Healthy weight loss | | | | dietary ingredients like salads, fresh fruit juices |
| and good nutrition, or health and wellness, must | | | | and milk. This can help cut down on fat and calorie |
| be initiated in the fast meal generation to lower | | | | intake. Lean meats and fish can be incorporated in |
| risk of obesity and the complications that go with | | | | food plan to provide for necessary protein intake. |
| it. | | | | For vegetarians they can use combinations of |
| Risk to Obesity: | | | | beans, rice and other grains as well as tofu food |
| The regular consumption of fast food increases | | | | products. |
| risk to obesity. Chronic obesity promotes disease | | | | A high fiber diet can help achieve healthy weight |
| conditions like hyper lipidemia, heart disease and | | | | loss in obese individuals. Soluble and insoluble fibers |
| malignancy. "Approximately 30.3 percent of | | | | promote heart and digestive health. Whole grains, |
| children (ages 6 to 11) are overweight and 15.3 | | | | fiber cereal, certain fruits, vegetables, beans and |
| percent are obese. For adolescents (ages 12 to | | | | flax can help maintain healthy weight loss |
| 19), 30.4 percent are overweight and 15.5 percent | | | | programs in the young individuals. Weight loss isn't |
| are obese" according to the American Obesity | | | | everything unless it is done with a health and |
| Association. | | | | wellness plan on all levels. Healthy choices is a long |
| Studies have indicated that regular intake of fast | | | | term success plan. |