I learned that fast food has a major impact on both individual health and public health in the U.S. While weight gain and increased BMI is a short-term effect, fast food is also linked to serious long-term issues like diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic problems. But beyond the health side of things, research also shows that fast food affects certain communities more than others due to exploitative marketing.

Short-Term Effects:

Fast food has been linked to short-term health problems that can become apparent quickly. In the short term, people who eat fast food regularly tend to have higher BMIs, increased body fat, and elevated cholesterol levels (Rosenheck, 2008). These effects can quickly become apparent due to the high amounts of saturated fats and lack of nutrients in most fast food items.

Pereira (2005) conducted a study and found a significant amount of weight gain in people who ate fast food more than twice a week, even over a short period. These changes may seem small at first, but can lead to serious problems later if habits don’t change.

Long Term Consequences:

Not only does eating fast food lead to short-term health effects, but leads to potentially fatal diseases. Consuming fast food over an extended period of time (years) significantly increases the risk of developing serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (Nelson et al., 2006). Rosenheck (2008) supports these findings, also linking fast food to metabolic syndrome and a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases.This has led to many people in our country struggling with these diseases stemming from the fast food they consume.

Predatory Marketing:

A big part of my research also focused on how fast food companies market their products and who they specifically target. Mai and Hoffman (2014) explain how these companies use eye-catching ads, bright colors, and playful branding to make fast food seem fun, affordable, and convenient, especially for children. Fast food is often marketed as a quick solution for busy people who don’t have the time or energy to cook at home (Zhong and DeVoe, 2018). This messaging is also prevalent in low-income communities, where time and financial stress are common.

Conclusion:

Overall, the research I’ve looked at makes it clear that fast food isn’t just bad for your health in both the short and long term, but it’s part of a bigger predatory system. These companies use specific marketing tactics and target low-income communities and children making fast food making fast food seem fun, cheap, and convenient. These companies are destroying our health as Americans. We need to realize the fact that we are putting extremely unhealthy food in our bodies every time we eat fast food, and we need to start making more conscious choices about our health in this country before it’s too late.

Fast food has been linked to both short-term and long-term health issues. In the short term, people who eat fast food regularly tend to have higher BMIs, increased body fat, and elevated cholesterol levels (Rosenheck, 2008). These effects can become apparent quickly because of the high amounts of saturated fats and low amount of nutrients in these foods. Pereira (2005) observed a significant amount of weight gain in subjects, even over a short period of time. 

Over the long term, the consequences become even more serious. Pereira (2005) also found that people who consumed fast food more than twice a week had a higher risk of developing insulin resistance in the future, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Freeman (2007) linked consistent fast food consumption to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. These findings are part of a larger body of research showing that frequent fast food intake contributes not only to immediate health concerns but also to life threatening diseases over time.

Fast food consumption isn’t necessarily all about people making bad choices but also about how the system is set up to make fast food the most available and convenient option, especially for certain groups.

Fast food companies don’t just market their food but they also promote convenience, affordability, and instant gratification. Their advertising frames fast food as a quick, easy, solution that fits into an Americans everyday life. This messaging is especially common in low-income areas, where fast food feels like the only affordable or available option. Stender (2007) found that food companies often expand into low-income communities to capitalize on residents’ limited food choices and economic vulnerability. This shows the lengths that these chains will go to in order to maximize their profits, at the expense of public health. 

Companies also put billboards and signs everywhere with their next greatest deal to convince you to walk through their doors. Mai and Hoffman (2015) explain how fast food brands use bright visuals, catchy slogans, and playful imagery to make their products appear appealing, especially to children. It shows how these businesses profit from people’s limited options while avoiding responsibility for the harm their products cause our health system.

Also, fast food restaurants have started to incorporate healthier options in addition to their usual high calorie meals. Katie Horrell, MS, RDN, CPT, says there are ways to make fast food meals as nutritious as possible by substituting items (2024). She says you could "choose grilled foods over fried, opt for whole grains when possible and add a fruit or veggie side" (Horell, 2024, para 23).

These points could make the argument that for some individuals, fast food in moderation may not be entirely detrimental to health. However, it's important to consider whether this approach is practical for the broader American population.​

Freeman, A. (2007). Fast food: oppression through poor nutrition. California Law Review, 95(6), 2221-2260. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1639302

Fuhrman, J. (2018). The Hidden Dangers of Fast and Processed Food. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(5), 375–381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827618766483

Han, D. Y. (2019, July 18). You can still eat junk food and be healthy – UK providers explain. UK HealthCare. https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/wellness-community/blog/you-can-still-eat-junk-food-be-healthy-uk-providers-explain

Healthdirect Australia. (2023, August 15). Junk food and your health. Healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/junk-food-and-your-health

Horrell, K. (2024, June 3). Why Exactly Is Fast Food Bad for You? GoodRx; GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/why-fast-food-bad-for-you

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Mai, R., & Hoffmann, S. (2015). How to Combat the Unhealthy = Tasty Intuition: The Influencing Role of Health Consciousness. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 34(1), 63–83. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44164825

Nelson, M. C., Gordon-Larsen, P., North, K. E., & Adair, L. S. (2006). Body Mass Index Gain, Fast Food, and Physical Activity: Effects of Shared Environments over Time. Obesity, 14, 701-709. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2006.80

Pereira, M. A., Kartashov, A. I., Ebbeling, C. B., Van Horn, L., Slattery, M. L., Jacobs, D. R., Jr., & Ludwig, D. S. (2005). Fast-food habits, weight gain, and insulin resistance (the CARDIA study): 15-year prospective analysis. The Lancet, 365(9453), 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-

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Rosenheck, R. (2008). Fast food consumption and increased caloric intake: a systematic review of a trajectory towards weight gain and obesity risk. Obesity Reviews, 9, 535-547. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2008.00477.x

Smith, A. F. (2016). Fast food: The good, the bad and the hungry. Reaktion Books.

Stender, S., Dyerberg, J., & Astrup, A. (2007). Fast food: unfriendly and unhealthy. International Journal of Obesity, 31, 887–890. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803616

Zhong, C.-B., & DeVoe, S. E. (2010). You Are How You Eat: Fast Food and Impatience. Psychological Science, 21(5), 619–622.http://www.jstor.org/stable/41062259

We need to cut fast food out of our diets and be more conscious about what we put in our bodies. As Americans, we must address these issues and push for policy changes that hold fast food corporations accountable for the food they put out into the world.

Dr. Kaiser states that she exercises “45 minutes to an hour per day, 6 days per week” and enjoys “outdoor activities on the weekends” (Han, 2019, para 13). Dr. Kaiser herself admits that her ability to eat fast food in moderation is supported by her active lifestyle and carefully managed meals (Han, 2019, para 13). So while she and the few other disciplined Americans may be able to make it work, most might not.

While the idea of substitution and moderation are awesome in theory and may work for a small population of people, the reality of the situation is that it is not solving the broader issues of over consumption in this country.