Fast foods are the favorite of all children. They are delicious and even adults enjoy them. Yet, they are called junk food. And there is a very good reason for that. Fast foods harm. Fast food is a generic name given to all food items that are rich in energy because they have a lot of sugar, fat, and salt in them. That alone is enough to make them unhealthy. But fast food items are also very low in essential nutrients. In short, fast foods do more harm than good. And restricting your children’s intake of junk food items is important for their health and wellbeing.
Here’s how fast foods harm your children
Obesity:
Fast food consumption is one of the most common reasons for obesity in children. These food items are high in calories, sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. They also have high-starch content which may lead to overeating even if the child is not hungry. When a child eats fast food too frequently, it can lead to obesity. And obesity can lower the child’s immunity and may even lead to other chronic health problems, including Type 2 diabetes.
Deficiency diseases:
Fast foods or junk foods are deficient in vital nutrients. If the child’s diet is deficient in vitamins and minerals, it can lead to various health issues. It can weaken the bones, affect growth, and increase the risk of eye and dental problems. A nutritious diet is important for the health of a growing child. Fast foods cannot deliver the nutrition children need.
Atopy:
Consuming fast foods over three times a week may increase the risk of atopic disorders such as asthma, rhinitis, eczema. Researches have noted a 39 percent increase in severe asthma risk for teenagers and 27 percent for younger kids that consume too much fast food. Research has also shown that instead of fast foods, taking three or more servings of fruit every day can reduce the severity of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, eczema.
Constipation:
Eating too much junk foods can reduce the intake of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. Less consumption of fiber can lead to constipation. This can cause loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting in kids. It can also make children more tired, irritable, and pale.
Poor performance in studies:
This is a fast foods harm that few know about. Such foods create a spike in blood sugar. When this level drops, it leads to fatigue. This makes it harder for children to concentrate on their studies for a long duration. This and other health problems caused by overeating of fast foods can lower your child’s performance in school. A study of 12,000 fifth-graders showed the researchers that children who ate fast food four to six times a week performed significantly lower on math and reading tests compared to other children.
Low energy for physical activities:
As overeating of fast foods provide less nutrition and can make children fatigued sooner, they are less likely to take part in sports and other extracurricular activities. Lack of physical activity can aggravate their health issues and increase obesity.
Sleep Disturbance:
Consumption of fast foods may also lead to disturbance in the sleep-wake cycle. The energy spike junk foods cause and the caffeine content in pop and cola drinks can disturb sleep. Alternatively, when the sugar level drops, it creates fatigue and lethargy. This untimely spike and drop in energy can disturb the sleep-wake cycle. And that may further affect performance at school and make the child irritable and moody.
Depression:
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables increases energy. Several fruits and vegetables are rich in serotonin, which is called the happy chemical because it promotes the feelings of happiness and wellbeing. A diet heavily dependent on junk food can lead to a deficiency of serotonin and cause feelings of gloominess. Moreover, obesity, disturbed sleep, poor health, poor performance in school can lower self-esteem. Obesity may also cause poor body image. All of this can increase the risk of depression in children. As per a study published in the Public Health Journal, people with a diet high in processed food are 51 percent more prone to depression.
Fast foods harm can continue even in adulthood:
When children become addicted to junk food, they may find it harder to make healthier food choices in adulthood. They may continue to lead an inactive lifestyle. And the health troubles caused by fast foods can continue even in adulthood.
Therefore, it is essential to teach children healthy eating habits before it is too late. Children will want to eat what they find tastier. But you need to make sure your child’s diet is full of nutrition and fibers. Eating fast foods once in a while is okay. But don’t let your children become addicted to junk food. Restrict one or two days a month when children can have fast food of their choice. Use creative ways to make healthy food fun. And reduce your intake of junk food too before you try to teach its harms to your children.
