Senior Health - Blast Fast Food From Your Diet

Obesity has become a clear problem in America. In 1990, approximately 10 % of adults were obese. Today, the percentage is at least double that and it continues to rise. According to recent reports, three states estimate that at least one third of their adult population is obese. Not overweight, but obese! That is a lot of people!

Recent studies have also discovered that the rise of obesity rates is being fueled by Americans' love of fast food. How much fast food do you eat a week? The average American eats three hamburgers and four orders of French fries each week. Approximately half of the country's family food budgets are spent in restaurants, with these restaurants accounting for a large portion of the spending.

In addition to obesity, eating fast food regularly has a number of other adverse health effects:

People who eat twice a week or more are 50 % more likely to become over weight.

Fast food contains high levels of trans-fat. Trans-fat is not a natural fat. It is created during the processing of natural fats, and because it is not a natural fat, the body cannot process it. Trans-fat has been linked to obesity as well as increased risks of heart disease and cancer.

It doubles the risk of abnormal glucose control, which is the inability to break down sugar efficiently. Abnormal glucose control often foreshadows diabetes.

Obesity and the other negative health effects of fast food are a result of both the high levels of calories and fat that is found in the food, as well as the large portions. A double quarter pounder with cheese contains 740 calories and 44 grams of fat. A pepperoni personal pan pizza has 800 calories and 39 grams of fat. These numbers do not even include the large sodas or orders of french fries that often come as part of the meal. You do not have to choose the large portion meal, but many Americans find it hard to resist an extra-large soda and order of French fries for only a few cents more than the small. While the monetary price difference is small, the health risk difference is huge. The total average calories for a fast food meal amounts to approximately 1,600. This is more calories than some people should eat in an entire day. The total fat numbers also tend to be higher than the amount of fat that a person should consume in one day.

The adverse health effects connected with this can be avoided. Diabetes as a result of eating habits is obviously avoidable and obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death, following smoking. New studies have showed how life expectancy is shortened for those who are overweight and even further shortened by obesity. Those who are overweight at 40 are estimated to live three years less than healthy people and those who are obese at 40 are estimated to live six to seven years less. Smoking doubles these numbers even more. A middle-aged obese smoker can subtract 13 to 14 years from their life expectancy.

One of the best ways to prevent obesity and early death due to obesity is to cut fast food out of your diet. Those who do not eat it have much lower levels of obesity and therefore have higher life expectancies.

Don't you think that your keeping your body healthy is one of the most important aspects of your life? Prevent obesity, the second leading cause of preventable death, blast fast food from your diet!

The Lake Shore : New York Assisted Living (http://www.lakeshoreli.com)

The Lake Shore Assisted Living Facility, located on beautiful Lake Ronkonkoma in Long Island, New York, has been providing seniors with assisted living care, delicious dining, friendly services and award-winning recreational programs for many years.

Visit our Blog to read more, comment, and/or ask questions about assisted living, health and any other senior related topic at (http://lakeshoreli.wordpress.com)

Submitted by Victoria at NewSunSEO (http://www.NewSunSEO.com)

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