Most people are aware that eating fast food is detrimental to their health, but this does not stop them from visiting their favorite fast food restaurants frequently. Fast food is a bigger part of the American diet than you may think, and it puts both young and old Americans in greater danger of developing a wide range of health problems, some of which are potentially life-threatening.
Here are some shocking statistics that may encourage you to cut down on your consumption of fast food and start adopting a healthy diet:
- One out of four Americans eats fast food every day.
- Americans spend more than $100 billion on fast food every year. This amount of money is enough to stop world hunger for many years.
- McDonald’s feeds about 45 million people around the world every day, which is more than the population of Spain.
- There are only seven items on the McDonald’s menu that do not contain sugar.
- If you eat a Big Mac, large fries, and large Coke, you will have to walk non-stop for six hours to burn off the calories you have gained.
- One meal at a fast food restaurant contains all the calories you need for an entire day.
- French fries, which are known as one of the unhealthiest foods, are the most widely consumed form of vegetables in the United States.
- Most children in North America are able to recognize McDonald’s before they even learn to speak.
- Partly due to the fast food culture, about 60% of Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems, and other illnesses.