Fast Food and Childhood Obesity

In an article from 2011, United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsacks stated, “The rise of childhood obesity has placed the health of an entire generation at risk” (2011). Research conducted has shown fast food to be a leading contributor to childhood obesity with close to one third of children consuming and demonstrating weight gain and risk of obesity (Holguin, 2004). The fast food industry stands accused of attempting to addict people, at an early age, to their food with a direct result of increased incidences of obesity. Much like the tobacco industry and smoking, there is debate whether responsibility lies with fast food or with individuals and their parents. There is strong evidence of fast food industries marketing correlating to childhood obesity.

Fast Food Proximity

Easy access to fast food encourages consumption, replacing the traditional “afternoon snack” children would normally consume at home (Alviola, et al., 2004). A study conducted by Alviola, et al. found correlation between fast food proximity and childhood obesity rates (2004). The researchers used a varied approach to study 193 children between the ages of 11 and 14 years old in the state of Arkansas. The researchers studied the distance to fast food restaurants as a measurement, and found results suggesting that proximal exposure correlates to an increase in obesity levels. Specifically within a mile radius from a school, there is a statistically significant effect on the level of obesity rates (Alviola, et al., 2004). Another finding suggests a link to the time of discharge from school and time of last meal. Because lunch is often several hours before the end of the school day, many children will be hungry and are inclined to stop for fast food on their way home (Alviola, et al., 2004). The conclusions of the study demonstrated an increase of BMI by 0.08 – 0.14 points as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) and the proximity to fast food for school-aged children (Alviola, et al....