Health Impacts of Fast Food for Teens.
                     HEALTH IMPACTS OF FAST-FOOD 
FOR TEENS
Weight Gain
One reason for the weight gain teens 
experience due to eating out may be 
that a single meal from one of these 
restaurants often contains enough 
calories to satisfy a person’s caloric 
requirement for an entire day.
Source: www.verywellhealth.com
Atopy
Fast food intake more than three times 
a week is associated with greater odds 
of atopic disorders such as asthma, 
eczema or rhinitis, while asthma 
severity is almost 40% higher in 
teenagers and more than 25% in 
younger children.
Source: www.news-medical.net
Constipation
An overdose of calories, fats, sugars, 
and other carbohydrates in repeated 
meals changes the food desires of the 
child, and makes it less likely that the 
child will eat fibers, fruits, milk, and 
vegetables. This can result in greater 
chances of constipation.
Source: www.news-medical.net
Addiction
Eating a lot of fast food in childhood makes it 
hard to eat healthy in later life, even if related 
medical problems are already evident, 
because childhood food habits solidify by 
adulthood. 
The addictive taste of fast food makes it quite 
unlikely that the palate will later savor the less 
complicated and less spicy flavors of ordinary 
food.
Source: www.news-medical.net
Poor Academics
Fast food can lead to impaired academic 
performance because high sugar levels 
followed by sugar crashes and poor 
concentration levels make it difficult to 
accomplish tasks which need extended 
periods of focused attention. 
Blood sugar fluctuations can also result in 
mood swings and lack of alertness, lowering 
classroom participation.
Source: www.news-medical.net
Less Energy
Fast food can inhibit participation in 
extracurricular activities because it doesn’t 
provide adequate nutrients for physical 
activity. 
Lack of physical activity not only keeps 
children out of peer groups but also impairs 
physical and mental health.
Source: www.news-medical.net
Depression
Obesity can result in lowered self-esteem, 
and perhaps depression. 
Depression in turn affects growth and 
development parameters, academic 
performance, and social relationships. It also 
results in a higher risk of suicide
Source: www.news-medical.net
Sleep Disturbances
Pop and cola drinks often contain caffeine 
which can make bedtime an ordeal by 
postponing normal sleep-wake cycles.
Source: www.news-medical.net
Hyperactivity
The lack of nutrients is thought to be 
associated with increased antisocial behavior, 
and perhaps with hyperactivity, though more 
research is needed to prove this.
Source: www.news-medical.net
Conclusion
Fast food intake definitely needs to be strictly 
controlled in children as it does no good and 
may do much harm. 
Surprisingly, a simple increase in fruit intake 
can improve the mood and reduce the 
severity of atopic diseases. 
Source: www.news-medical.net