Fast Food Just Gets Worse
On any given day, 36.6 percent of American adults eat fast food, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fast-food restaurants would like you to think their meals are getting healthier. In fact, over the past 30 years, portion sizes have grown, as have calories, and the food has become less healthy, according to a new study of 10 of the most popular U.S. fast-food joints.
Researchers examined menu offerings in 1986, 1991 and 2016. Here’s the change they found across three decades:
Calories in all three categories—entrees, sides & desserts—increased significantly, with the largest increases in desserts (62 calories per decade), followed by entrees (30 calories per decade). The change was due mostly to larger portions. Sodium also increased significantly in all three categories.
“Despite the vast number of choices offered at fast-food restaurants, some of which are healthier than others, the calories, portion sizes, and sodium content overall have worsened (increased) over time and remain high,” said lead researcher Megan McCrory, of Boston University.
It seems almost overkill to rehash the badness of fast food, but here goes:
- Those who eat fast food are 51 percent more likely to develop depression, than those who eat little or none of it, one study indicated.
