Los Angeles Fast Food Epidemic

Fast food Epidemic

Research
We all know what is going on in our society and the obesity rating sky rocketing. Obesity is linked to several long term health conditions, premature death and illness including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, fatty liver, arthritis and joint disorders and some cancers. In almost ever low income area/ community there are fast food joints in every corner. It is the sad truth but families are willing to pay $1.25 for a bean burrito than $4 for a salad, but what if they cannot afford that salad? Moreover, the health care expenditure on obese and overweight individuals was estimated to have been $117 billion in 2000 and accountable for nearly ten percent of the U.S. health care total expenditure. People have choices but sometimes financially its difficult to have choices. The way where headed now is not looking good, Did you know that 75% of the American population is likely to be overweight and obese by 2020? According to the Centers for Disease and Disease Control and Prevention, 36% American adults and 17% of the under 19 American youth is obese. 

As a person who has been through this when my family was tight on money and constantly being told by my doctor I was over weight, I feel this is something I need to address. I live in the Los Angeles community and oh boy everyone knows how it is in the lower income area. I have a Mcdonald's to my left, a Jack in the Box to my right and if I go down a main street I'm sure 95% of restaurants will be fast food. I see many younger kids and even my younger cousins heading this way and I tell them to eat better but their parents tend to do other wise. Now with more knowledge I would like to inform my community about this issue and how it has become an epidemic to the community of Los Angeles. Now in our family household I let my mom know to make effort to eat healthier and make better options for themselves and everyone else. I personally understand this is a business for many but they should take into consideration how long these businesses can feed this to people and the long term effect they are causing. 

Facts and Stats





These charts explain how the poverty areas in the community tend to be more over weight. Reasons being that fast food is convient, low cost, bigger portions and unhealthy ingredients. The second charts shows how in the USA the number of children becoming over weight or obese is shooting up like crazy compared to other countries. The fast food industry in the United States was said to be worth a sum of approximately $256 billion U.S

Lupita Cruz

I do believe there is a fast food problem in the county if LA due to the fact that in lower income cities or sections of the county there is more lower income families. For example in Korea town every block there is an average of 4 fast food restaurants. Many low come families refer fast food restaurants to feed their families just because it’s cheaper. It is cheaper to eat out other than actually cooking a home made meal which comes out to be more expensive. 

That leads our children to gain weight due to their eating habits but then again it is cheaper to eat in a fast food restaurant than cooking at home

Edgar Alamo

There is a problem, there are plenty of fast food restaurants in a small radius. It is also very important to consider the time and expense these fast food restaurants offer. Children think fast food is convenient because it delivers food fast, as well as the cost is affordable. The facts behind fast food is that it can cause health concerns.

Sonia Torres

Fast food is any easy, affordable and convenient for many. Within a 5 mile radius one can find many food chains or local ones. Some people lean towards fast food because they get so caught up and don’t have time to eat, lack of laziness or they find it best to buy food. This all affects children because instead of eating at home they buy food from fast places and it becomes a habit, a really bad habit and it’s hard to break away from it.

Monique Mendez

 I think fast food in the county of LA is an issue. It’s affecting kids because they aren’t eating healthy and it’s damaging their body.

Resources

Lobstein, T., & Dibb, S. (2005). Evidence of a possible link between obesogenic food advertising and child overweight. Obesity Reviews, 6(3), 203–208.

Axelerad, D. A., Docu-Axelerad, D., & Ciocan, C. T. (2018). Obesity and Fast-Food.

Stanish, J. R. (2010). The Obesity Epidemic in America and the Responsibility of Big Food Manufacturers. Inquiries Journals, 2(11), 1–1.

https://www.statista.com/topics/863/fast-food/

https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html