Since the 1970s, obesity in the United States has risen by nearly forty percent due to the convenience of fast food and the increased price of healthy foods (Williams). Health foods have become less popular due to the rising processed food industry. These pre­made foods may be inexpensive and taste great; however, hold no nutritional value, causing the people who eat them to gain weight and experience health problems. Fast food has also become increasingly popular recently due to its affordability, convenient hours, and swift service. With this rise in popularity of fast food, more Americans are eating out at unhealthy restaurants than cooking a meal at home. Due to this change in the dining dynamic, the average American’s health has diminished.
Despite continued efforts from the Campaign to End Obesity (CEO), the convenience and
The Ohio Medical group states that 50 million Americans are served at fast food restaurants every day; which is the equivalent to feeding the entire population of Canada almost twice in just one day. The fast­food industry has nearly doubled in the last thirty years, and many of these restaurants serve unhealthy and high­calorie food (Muntel). In the hectic, fast­paced, modern American life both parents work full­time jobs while their children are at school or participating the sports, and the last thing on their mind is going home to cook dinner. The quicker, simpler solution is to pick up a meal at a fast food restaurant. Fast food is much more convenient than cooking. Recently, fast food chains have begun to introduce “healthy” alternatives in place of fatty, high­calorie options. Though these options seem as if they are better but, they are made from the same processed ingredients as the original menu. McDonald’s introduced their “Egg White Delight” which has significantly fewer calories, but it contains 800 mg of sodium (Gelman). This breakfast sandwich contains half of the ideal daily sodium intake recommended by the American Heart Association of 1500 mg (“How Much Sodium Should I Eat Per Day?”). Although fast food is offering “healthier” options, these