Children have the highest levels of fast-food consumption. This includes higher household income levels, boy’s older children, blacks and children living in the South. The lowest levels were found in children living in the West, rural areas, Hispanics and those that are aged 4 to 8. Fast-food lovers consumed more fats, sugars and carbohydrates and fewer fruits and non-starchy vegetables than children who didn't eat fast food. Fast food contributes to increased calorie intake and obesity risk in children. The study also found that they also consumed 187 more daily calories, which likely adds up to about six pounds more per year. The results are based on children questioned in government surveys from 1994 to 1996 and 1998. Even though this study was taken so long ago, children's current levels of fast-food consumption probably are even higher because of an increase in the number of fast-food restaurants and in fast-food marketing since the late 1990s. The nation's obesity epidemic has focused attention on fast-restaurants, and many want to blame McDonald's Corp. for making people fat and tried to sue them, many fast-food chains have begun offering healthier food. Since fast food is such a big contributer in obesity, policy-makers are taking action to protect children from the fast-food trend, including efforts to limit soft drink and snack food sales in schools, and to curb food advertising aimed at children.
No comments:
Post a Comment