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Fast foods and their impact on health

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JKIMSU, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012 ISSN 2231-4261

REVIEW ARTICLE
Fast Foods and their Impact on Health
Ashakiran1* & Deepthi R2
1
Department of Biochemistry, 2Department of Community Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College,
Kolar-563101 (Karnataka), India
Abstract: eating practices. Junk food and its impact on
health have been reviewed from various
‘Eat healthy and live healthy’ is one of the
resources and have been systematically
essential requirements for long life.
presented, so as to emphasize its ill effects and
Unfortunately, today’s world has been adapted
measures to be adapted towards healthy living.
to a system of consumption of foods which has
several adverse effects on health. Lifestyle Key Words:
changes has compelled us so much that one has
Diseases, Health, Junk food, Lifestyle
so little time to really think what we are eating
is right! Globalisation and urbanisation have Introduction:
greatly affected one’s eating habits and forced Concepts, relationships, lifestyles are
many people to consume fancy and high metamorphosed to accommodate the new
calorie fast foods, popularly known as ‘Junk jet age and eating habits too is no
foods’. Research into the possible health exception [1]. Healthy nutritious foods have
hazards on consumption of such high calorie been replaced by the new food mantra - JUNK
foods has given an insight to avoid them, but FOOD! In the context of world economy, junk
unfortunately measures taken are not as food is a global phenomenon [2]. The
effective as they need to be. Diseases like availability of junk food and snacks at low prices
coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus and marketing strategies adapted by
have seen a profound rise in developing manufacturers of such foods has triggered an
countries and such unhealthy junk food evolution wherein, consumption of foods that
consumption is one of the notable factors to require neither the structure nor the
its contribution. This global problem of preparation of a formal meal. It seems to have
consuming junk food on a large scale and its engulfed every age; every race and the newest
impact on health needs emphasis and health entrants on stage are children, school going in
education which can greatly contribute to its particular. Hence, a systematic presentation has
limited consumption and switching over to been made in this review from the articles from
healthy eating habits for the better living. various sources highlighting eating habits,
knowledge highlighting about the eating habits, nutritional aspects and quality of unhealthy
nutritional aspects, quality of unhealthy foods, food, their health impact on consumption and
their health impact and preventive measures preventive measures to be undertaken. Through
should be given to create awareness and render health education, a change towards good eating
health education for a change towards good practices and adaption of healthy living is

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JKIMSU, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012 Ashakiran & Deepthi R.

possible. years.
Obesity accounts for 300,000 deaths in the U.S. What is a Junk Food?
alone. Research into junk food and fast food
Junk food simply means an empty calorie food.
restaurants have found that there is a direct
An empty calorie food is a high calorie or
relationship between the number of fast food
calorie rich food which lacks in micro-
restaurants located within the local area and
nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, or amino
obesity rates [3]. According to a survey by the
acids, and fiber but has high energy (calories).
Institute of Food Technologists, 75% of
These foods don’t contain the nutrients that
Americans are eating their dinners at home,
your body needs to stay healthy. Hence, these
nearly half those meals are fast foods, deliv-
foods that has poor nutritional value is
ered, or taken out from restaurants or grocery
considered unhealthy and may be called as junk
delis. The way in which we eat, and what we eat,
food. ‘Junk food’ is an informal term applied
is of vital importance to our state of health.
to some foods which are perceived to have little
With the global spread of food uniformity, its
or no nutritional value, but which also have
rapid growth is occurring in the developing
ingredients considered unhealthy when eaten
world. It has radically changed the way people
regularly, or to those considered unhealthy to
eat all over the world.
consume at all. The term ‘junk food’ was coined
India is no exception to this changing fast-food
as a slang in the public interest in 1972 by
trend. India’s fast-food industry is growing by
Michael Jacobson, Director of the Center for
40 percent a year. Statistics place India in 10th
Science, Washington D.C [4].
place in fast food per capita spending figures
What makes these foods to be called as ‘Junk’
with 2.1% of expenditure of annual total
is that it contains high levels of refined
spending. According to the National Sample
sugar, white flour, trans fat and polyunsaturated
Survey Organization (NSSO) survey in the year
fat, salt, and numerous food additives such as
2005 released by the Delhi government, people
monosodium glutamate and tartrazine; at
living in Delhi spend Rs. 371, on an average,
the same time, it is lacking in proteins,
on processed food and beverages per month.
vitamins, essential minerals, fiber, among other
They spend Rs. 290 on vegetables and around
healthy attributes. These foods have little
one-third of it on fruits. The total value of junk
enzyme producing vitamins and minerals and
food consumed in India in 2003 was about Rs.
but contain high level of calories in their place.
41,000 crore; of which, rural areas accounted
A food that is high in fat, sodium, and/or
for a little over Rs. 22,000 crore, as published
sugar and provides high calories yet
in an article in news paper by Sudhanshu Ranade
useless in value is generally known as a junk
in ‘Business Line’ on July 13th 2005. ‘Nature’
food. On the contrary, junk food is easy to carry,
in 2007 states that preventable diseases caused
purchase and consume. Generally, a junk
mainly due to smoking, poor diet as junk food
food is given a very attractive appearance
consumption and lack of exercise could kill
by adding food additives and colours to
millions in developing world in the next 10
enhance flavour, texture and for increasing long

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JKIMSU, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012 Ashakiran & Deepthi R.

shelf life. • > 200 calories per servings for snacks

Appealing nature of junk food • > 200 mg per serving for sodium (salt) for
snacks
Junk food comprises of anything that is quick,
• > 480 mg per serving for sodium (salt) for
tasty, convenient and fashionable. Clever junk
initial meal
food advertising and the lure of convenience in
Also the ingredients list of the food can be
addition to taste drag people to junk food
checked to spot many forms of junk food. In
addiction. Following factors generally makes
general, if one of the first two ingredients is
it appealing:
either oil or a form of sugar, then it is likely a
1. Time factor: Junk food addiction is so
junk food. The presence of high fructose corn
high because of its simplicity. They are
syrup in the ingredients is also often a tip-off
easy to prepare and ready to consume
to a food being a junk food.
within no time.
2. Taste factor: Great taste also, is another Health impact of junk foods
important reason to an extent that
Junk food allows people to eat without
influences to opt for junk food. This
planning – eat not only when it is pre-set meal
taste is achieved owing to lavish usage
time, but also when they have spare time.
of oils, salts and/or sugar.
Ingredients of junk foods give great taste and
3. Attractiveness: Packing of such foods
make them addictive [8]. Fat and sugar in
has very attractive appearance by
combination are capable of producing a
adding food additives and colours in
dopamine-driven surge of intense pleasure in
addition to enhancement in flavour.
people with a propensity for addictive
4. Ad factor: Advertising [5] has a major
behaviour. On the other side, it must be noted
role in attracting the public, particularly
that they are hazardous to health too. High fat
children and adolescents [6] to the junk
content, particularly cholesterol, sugar and
food selling joints.
salts have their adverse effects on health.
Recognising junk food Soaring calorie content with sugar can lead to
obesity [9].
Junk food, like many other things, can often be
Dense sugar content can cause dental cavities
known only when you see it. One can spot what
and type 2 diabetes mellitus [10]. A short-term
might be junk food by looking at a food label
adverse effect as a result of eating junk foods
[7], including that it has little nutritional value
‘lack of energy’ which occurs because junk
and has:
foods don’t provide essential nutrients, even
• > 35% of calories from fat (except for
though they can be very much sufficing, due to
low-fat milk)
which one feels weakened. Unfortunately,
• > 10% of calories from saturated fats
meals consisting of junk food don’t fill up for
• Any trans fat
long. Because they are lacking in fibre, and are
• > 35% of calories from sugar, unless it is made
made of processed foods, they are rated high
with 100% fruit and no added sugar

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JKIMSU, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012 Ashakiran & Deepthi R.

on the glycaemic index, which means they The high levels of sugar in junk food which puts
provide a quick rise in blood sugar, but this also metabolism under stress; when refined sugar
falls quickly, and giving rise to hunger. is taken, the pancreas secretes high amounts of
Cholesterol and salt are known to setoff blood insulin to prevent a dangerous spike in blood
pressure, stroke and heart diseases in a chain. sugar levels. Because fast food and junk food
Excessive salts can affect functioning of don’t contain adequate amounts of protein and
kidneys too. Excess fats and oils along with good carbohydrates, the blood sugar levels
spices added in these foods act as an irritant to suddenly drops after eating, resulting with
gastric mucosa leading to excess secretion of grumpy, fatigued feeling and a craving for sugar
hydrochloric acid, landing in gastritis. Poor [12]. Another pathway which acetyl CoA is
concentration is another result of junk food involved is in formation of ketone bodies,
habit known to affect in immediate and medium which is inactive when energy levels are high,
term periods. When a sumptuous junk meal rich but is active in case when impaired glucose
in oil is taken, there is a feeling of drowsiness tolerance sets in. Carbonated soft drinks, in
and failure to concentrate. The junk food addition to towering amount of sugar
eating over a substainal period of time can drop reportedly contain methylglyoxal (MG), which
blood circulation due to fat accumulation. Lack is strongly associated with human carbonyl
of vital oxygen, nutrients and proteins particu- stress [13].
larly can stale the grey (brain) cells temporarily. Fried and processed food, contains high
Most of the times these junk foods contain amounts of trans fats, saturated fats in addition
colours, which are often inedible, carcinogenic to oxycholesterol. Oxycholesterol is a
and harmful to the body. Flavourings and little-known type of cholesterol which may
colourings can be allergic causing asthma, prove to be a lethal compound to heart health
rashes and hyperactivity. Animal studies on rats as reported by Scientists from China in the
have demonstrated the ill effects of consum- National Meeting of the American Chemical
ing junk foods during pregnancy which affects Society in August 2009 [14].
the health of foetus [11]. A high sodium level has been clearly implicated
as the causative factor for high blood pressure.
Metabolic consequences of junk food
Sodium is known to affect renin-angiotensin
Food dense in calories, when oxidised in the system in kidneys, which produces
body causes enormous formation of ‘Acetyl vasoconstrictive effects on arterioles, leading
CoA’. Acetyl CoA in excess is channelized out to development of high blood pressure. Also
of mitochondria for its participation in other the salts used for the preparation has an impact
metabolic pathways and for its effective of their excretion through kidneys, thus having
utilisation. These pathways include denovo an effect on renal system [15]. High
fatty acid synthesis and biosynthesis of cholesterol from junk food also affects liver
cholesterol, which causes excess fatty acid and on the long run where it is metabolized as it
cholesterol formation. strains liver, damaging it eventually.

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JKIMSU, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012 Ashakiran & Deepthi R.

Junk foods – Effects on children’s health osteoporosis at an early age

- Vulnerability to slow growth, tooth
Children find themselves amidst a complex
decay and obesity [20, 21]
society that is undergoing breaths taking
School nutrition survey in Ireland has revealed
changes [16]. Wafers, chips, colas, pizzas and
that 48.6% of lunch taken by children has been
burgers are suddenly the most attractive food
categorized as ‘junk’ [22]. School days are full
items among children. Children rapidly seem
of educational challenges that require long
to have stepped into a world of fast foods and
attention spans and stamina. Poor nutritional
vending machines, totally unaware of the havoc
habits can undermine these pre-requisites of
they are creating for themselves and their
learning, as well as deplete the strength that
impact on their health.
children need for making friends, interacting
Good nutrition is of utmost priority in children
with family, participating in sports and games
at the time of steady growth between the ages
or simply feeling good about
of 6 – 12 years. In a study done in Beijing,
them. Nutritionists agree that the reason for
China and published in the year 2008 revealed
kids with ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
eating junk food is a popular event among
Disorder’ is largely the kind of food children
children and adolescents between the age of 8
eat [23]. Experts warn that eating too much junk
and 16 [17]. Eating habits in such age group not
food is one of the factors that have
only has an impact on their growth but also on
contributed to the current childhood obesity
their concentration, feeling and behaviour. With
epidemic.
vast majority of women with school children
Awareness on junk food facts is lacking
are working class which has led to leaving
dramatically in every corner of the society.
behind the traditional foods at home and
90% of parents agree that junk food
offering of fast foods by parents to their
advertisements were making it difficult for
children. The commonest scenario noticed in
them to promote healthy eating at home.
most homes is a child who returns from school
Messages for healthy eating are getting
hangs himself in front of the television,
undermined at every turn by the relentless
faithfully accompanied by a bowl of wafers, a
number of junk food advertisements [24].
packet of chips and a can of cola [18, 19]. Such
Hence every individual parent in the society
nutritionally weak foods become quickly
need to be educated about such foods and their
addictive and can sow the seeds of infirmity and
impact on their children’s health, who can take
debilitating disease, which ultimately leads to
care to avoid them intelligently and keeping
many an incurable disease. Studies reveal:
them out of the reach of their children [25].
- Beginning of clogging of arteries as
early as at the age of 30 Avoiding Junk Food
- Risks of prostate and breast cancer
Awareness on junk food facts is lacking
linked to their eating habits at
amongst every individual in the community.
puberty
Eating a healthy diet is a hard work. The only
- Setting of hypertension and

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JKIMSU, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012 Ashakiran & Deepthi R.

way to avoid junk food is to encourage eating children to kick the habit”.
healthy snacks and more of the following foods, The World Consumer Rights Day on March 15
which are usually considered to be a part of a will begin a campaign against the marketing of
healthy diet: unhealthy foods to children. Amongst school
• foods that are low in fat, saturated fat, and children, many strategic ideas can be
cholesterol incorporated in schools such as ‘Bring fruit at
• high-fiber foods, including whole-grain foods, school’ [26], which aims to cut down at junk
vegetables and fruits food consumption and its addiction promoting
• foods that have only a moderate amount of healthy food habits among them. Some of the
sugar and salt school-based research and initiatives can open
• calcium-rich foods, to meet daily calcium doors for identifying promising strategies to
requirements develop ‘fruit and vegetable environment’
• iron-rich foods, to meet daily requirements amongst students in school settings [27, 28].
for iron Finally, not all foods are junk; moreover, our
body has enough stamina to take care off
Measures to be taken, especially for
occasional junk food eating. One need not have
children:
to avoid all junk food all the time, if you don’t
• Since junk food and children have a strange want to do so. The food pyramid even allows
affinity to each other, try and avoid children to for some discretionary calories that we can all
get habituated to such foods. use to eat some ‘luxury foods’, including those
• Controlling children from eating junk foods with fat or added sugar. The fact that needs to
in schools is another step that helps in a long be kept in mind is that most people’s
term. School administration along with allowance of discretionary calories [29] is very
parents has a combined responsibility to small, which ranges from 130 to 290 calories.
educate children about avoiding junk foods in Often, people overdo it, adding too many
school premises. calories each day [30].
• Junk food - the name itself is tempting
Conclusion:
enough. Eliminating the temptation is one way
to avoid it. Keeping good food nearby and Junk foods have certainly carved up the ‘Third
having meals right on time certainly helps in World’ due to globalisation [31]. It is an
this direction. integral part of life in the developed and also
• Developing awareness for fitness will the developing world, and coming with it is a
certainly separate junk food and good diet. As massive increase in obesity and associated
quoted in an article “Wanted child lock for problems. The key to eating these junk foods
junk food” in ‘The Telegraph’ published on 16th is moderation, occasional consumption and
February 2009, Calcutta Edition by Varuna preferably in small portions. It is not
Verma “But educating parents about the impossible to win war with junk foods against
harmful effects of junk food could also help healthy foods [32]. However, one must beware;

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JKIMSU, Vol. 1, No. 2, July-Dec. 2012 Ashakiran & Deepthi R.

entice is so strong that you will be addicted. resources. Subst Use Misuse 2007; 42:
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‘junk’ is great for business. It is all in our hands 9. Bandini LG, Vu D, Must A, Cyr H,
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Avoid Junk, Accept Health! high-calorie, low-nutrient-dense food
No Junk, Know Health! consumption among obese and non-
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*Author for Correspondence: Dr. Ashakiran S. Professor, Department of Biochemistry,

Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Tamaka, Kolar – 563101, Karnataka,
Mobile: 9342187501, E-mail: ashes27@rediffmail.com

Ó Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University 15

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