How Fast Food Affects Teens

Drive-thrus, dollar menus and more: there are 4 main ways that the minute meal industry is affecting teenagers if visited too much for too long.

Outward Appearance
The poor nutritional content of fast food affects teens primarily in their appearance. Frequently eating fatty and unhealthy meals can cause weight gain and does not give growing bodies what they need in terms of vitamins and minerals. The lack of vitamins and minerals can cause poor skin, such as breakouts, unevenness, paleness and even underlying hues of gray. Hair can become dull and lifeless, and nails can turn brittle from a lack of nutrition. Since most teenagers have a harder time seeing the long-term effects of a unbalanced diet, but take great stock in what they see in the present, making teenagers aware of such immediate changes can help get them back on the right nutritional path. If time is of an issue, read About Diet Delivery Programs for ideas on how to get healthy meals delivered right to your door.

Mental Status
Thinking abilities suffer from poor nutrition. A poor diet lacking in the required vitamins and minerals can cause lethargy and a reduced capacity to perform tasks at school and home. When the human body doesn't get what it needs in terms of vitamins and minerals, the body can essentially shut down to conserve on what it has. This effect is especially true with teenagers, whose bodies and brains are already working overtime to grow properly. Too many meals eaten outside the home at unhealthy restaurants can take their toll quickly during these crucial years of development. For more information read Causes of Fatigue in Children.

Emotional Thinking
Everyone is subject to feelings of inadequacy or unattractiveness. One of the most harmful ways of how the fast food affects teens is in their emotional well-being. Not feeling good about their appearance and becoming frustrated with their lack of ability to succeed at school or in other activities can lead to depression. Food disorders can result, such as overeating, anorexia or bulimia. Feeling a lack of control in their lives, they use the one thing that they can have power over: the food that they eat.

Future Health
How fast food affects teens does not stop during their teenage years. Poor eating choices now set a foundation for poorer choices in the future. If teenagers are not taught to take the time to eat healthy, they will continue to take the easiest way out when lives become busier with work and families of their own. Lack of nutritional values at a young age leads to all types of health problem-everything from diabetes to cancer. The side effect of obesity alone is known to be a contributing factor in heart disease and major digestion problems. Not to mention that the cycle will likely continue, generation after generation passing down it's unhealthy lifestyle to the children of the home. For more information about healthy eating habits read: Importance of a Healthy Diet