Fast Food and Chronic Disease: Exploring the Link Between Dietary Habits and Public Health Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61194/jhlqr.v3i1.542Keywords:
Fast Food Consumption, Metabolic Disorders, Obesity, Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition Policy, Public Health Interventions, Dietary BehaviorAbstract
Fast food consumption has surged globally, raising critical concerns for public health. This systematic review analyzes the relationship between fast food intake and its metabolic and cardiovascular impacts particularly on obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Evidence from the past two decades shows a consistent link between regular fast food consumption and increased risk of chronic diseases, driven by its high calorie, low nutrient composition and its contribution to inflammation and weight gain. These effects are exacerbated among low income populations and in urban environments. Importantly, this study highlights the influence of food marketing, policy environments, and socioeconomic factors in shaping dietary behaviors. Countries with comprehensive nutrition regulations such as taxation on unhealthy food and advertising restrictions report lower dependence on fast food and improved public health outcomes. Thus, this review emphasizes the urgent need for multi sectoral policy interventions to reduce fast food consumption and its health consequences. The findings contribute to public health discourse by offering evidence based insights for formulating targeted nutritional policies, promoting dietary education, and addressing socioeconomic disparities in access to healthy foods.
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