Fast food, also known as junk food, is anything that is high in fat or sugar without supplying vitamins, and typically is low in protein. The solution to this issue is banning junk food in all public schools and government workplaces because they lead to obesity, create health risks due to the use of food additives, and perpetuate the growth of fast food eating adolescents into unhealthy adults. The banning of fast foods should be implemented because junk food leads to obesity and heart disease. In a research study, by Flores and Lin, who indicate that the consumption of sugary drinks favored by the younger generation, at least weekly, are strong predictors of severe obesity in schoolchildren at the kindergarten level (31-3). This being noted, the last thing kids need are more vending machines in schools filled with cola making it easier to buy soda. Fundamentally, …show more content…
In a research study conducted by Zota, Phillips and Mitro who identified di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), as two of the most widely-used industrial chemicals found in processed foods that may adversely impact human health (1521). This is because these chemicals are ingested through the consumption of processed or packaged food. Zota’s research team confirm that children who consumed more fast foods had higher levels of those industrial chemicals. DEHP and DiNP are chemicals that actually leach from the conveyor belts and plastic packaging used to wrap fast food products. These processed foods are then shipped in bulk to schools and fed to our children. The associated chemical toxicity of these substances includes developmental delays, reproductive problems, and cancer. DEHP and DiNP are not the only chemicals found in processed foods. Trans-fats, man-made fats produced by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil, are found in processed foods, especially baked goods which make food taste delicious but clog the arteries causing heart disease (Johnson).The associated chemical toxicity of DEHP, DiNP, and trans-fats pose major threats to growing children and hence add to the need to ban fast foods in public schools. Essentially,