Excess calories from fast foods can cause weight gain. Obesity increases the risk of respiratory problems, such as asthma and shortness of breath. Extra pounds can put pressure on the heart and lungs, and symptoms can appear even with little effort. Excess weight and obesity caused by fast food place additional pressure on joints, especially the hips and knees.
This makes it more likely that the bones surrounding the joints will fracture. Remember that you can eat junk food from time to time, but it shouldn't account for more than 10% of your daily energy intake. Another study that examined YouTube videos popular with children revealed that 38% of all ads included food or drinks and 56% of those food ads were for junk food. Frequent consumption of junk food can also increase the risk of diseases such as hypertension and strokes.
However, refined sugar, which is the type of sugar commonly found in junk food, causes blood sugar levels to drop rapidly because the body digests it quickly. Every day, young people are bombarded with unhealthy junk food choices, and this can lead to lifelong eating habits that are difficult to undo. Junk food is also often low in fiber, which has negative consequences for long-term gut health. Junk food includes foods such as hamburgers, fried chicken and pizza from fast food restaurants, as well as packaged foods such as chips, cookies and ice cream, sugar-sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, fatty meats such as bacon, sugary cereals and frozen ready meals such as lasagna.
Energy-rich, nutrient-poor foods, also known as junk food, have never been more accessible and available.
