American Children Eating Fast Food Leads to Health Problems

Michael’s dad wanted to do something special for his son. Michael had just gotten a straight A report card and it was a special occasion in the house. The family did not often go to fast food restaurants; Michael’s mom knew that fast food was not the best as a diet for her child. His dad thought it would be okay as a treat, so he drove through Jack in the Box and got three burgers. Michael thought the meat was a bit red, but his dad told him it was fine. Later that night, Michael’s parents had horrible stomach pains. By morning they had passed. They had been in too much pain to check on Michael. In the morning he did not come downstairs. They went up to check on him. He was holding his stomach in pain and his bed sheets were covered in bloody diarrhea. His parents quickly rushed him to the hospital. But it was too late. Michael had a heart attack on the way to the hospital and died. The doctors ruled that this had been a case of E. coli O157:H7 food poisoning. An innocent child’s life lost, due to one hamburger. 

Many Americans now eat fast food. It is popular in today’s culture. According to Eric Schlosser, “[t]he typical American now consumes approximately three hamburgers and four orders of french fries every week” (Schlosser 6). Many of those Americans consuming fast food are children. In one USDA study, “Thirty percent of American children were found to eat fast food on a typical day” ( Nitzke). This much consumption of such unhealthy food causes health problems. People who eat fast food are more likely to become overweight or even obese. Heart disease and cancer rates for fast food consumers are higher. Those who eat fast food are more likely to develop diabetes. Fast food is not proper nutrition in any sense. The consumption of so much fast food is hurting all Americans.