Rachel Law

Annotated Bibliography
Alter, D. A., & Eny, K. (2005). The relationship between the supply of fast-food chains and

cardiovascular outcomes. Canadian Journal of Public Health/Revue Canadienne de

Sante'e Publique, 173-177.

In a study completed by Canadian researches, scientists concluded each increase of one

fast-food outlet per 100,000 people in a region corresponded to an additional one death
per 100,000 persons, concluding more fast food restaurants in an area correspond with
higher levels of acute coronary syndromes and mortality. With more than a 339%
increase in food expenditures spent away from home and a rise in heart disease over the
last forty years, fast food is having a negative effect on Americans. Specifically, the
excess salt and degree of saturated fats. McDonald's recently changed their recipe for
French fries in attempts to lower fat content, but ended up returning to their original after
sale decreases. This study is important linking increased fast food intake with heart
disease.
Boutelle, K. N., Fulkerson, J. A., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., & French, S. A. (2007). Fast

food for family meals: relationships with parent and adolescent food intake, home food

availability and weight status. Public health nutrition, 10(01), 16-23.

Obesity rates continue to rise, possibly contributed to an increased prevalence of fast food
restaurants. In a study, researchers randomly surveyed 900 parents on fast food intake
within their home, finding more frequent fast-food purchases for family meals are
associated with overweight among female parents, the availability of less nutritious food
in the home, fewer vegetables and higher salty snack intake among parents. This article
is useful, exploring fast food within families. The article suggests increased fast food
intake as a child negatively effects children as adults, preventing them from becoming
educated on a proper diet.
Bowman, S. A., & Vinyard, B. T. (2004). Fast food consumption of US adults: impact on energy

and nutrient intakes and overweight status. Journal of the American College of

Nutrition, 23(2),163-168.

Among married couples, weekly work hours have increased 20% in the last three
decades, leaving less time for food preparation. In 1993, 38% of food expenditure was
spent on food away from home compared to 42% in 2001. Additionally, higher income is
associated with higher levels of eating fast food. In a study, researchers attempted to
assess daily choleric intake of working adults. Those who consumed higher levels fast
food lacked calcium, vitamin A, carotenes, and vitamin C, all antioxidants important to
preventing cancer while exceeding daily value for fat, sodium, and daily calorie intake.
 This study is important providing explanation as to why diseases such as obesity, heart
disease, and various forms of cancer have increased overtime.
Conolly, Josephine (2006). The dangers of eating fast food. Retrieved from http://

http://www.stonybrook.edu/heartlinks/fastfooddangers.pdf
This article addresses the high fat and sodium content found in fast food restaurants and
its effect on children. As sodium levels in the body increase, the excretion of calcium
through urine also increases, leaving children and adults more vulnerable to osteoporosis.
The daily recommended value is 2,200 mg, but the average American will consume 3,200
mg a day increasing risk for high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Fast food
lacks complex carbohydratesassociated with lower levels of cholesterol, instead
containing high levels of saturated fat. This paper was a good place to start at the effects
of fast food on the body.
Glanz, K., Basil, M., Maibach, E., Goldberg, J., & Snyder, D. A. N. (1998). Why Americans eat

what they do: taste, nutrition, cost, convenience, and weight control concerns as

influences

on food consumption. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 98(10), 1118-1126.

In a study, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania attempted to assess

Americans on why they picked the foods they choose to eat. Researchers found taste, on
the 5-point scale, was the most important factor (4.7), followed by cost (4.1). Weight
control was the least important of the five different factors assessed. Among youth, cost
and convenience were the most important factors to choosing foods, possibly providing
reason as to why obesity in teenagers is increasing. Fast food, compared to healthier
opinions, is far more attainable. Since 1970, obesity in teenagers has increased from 3.5
to 19%. This study highlights Americans give little regard to nutrition when deciding
meals. Fast food meets the most important factors as to why food is chosen, being high in
sodium, inexpensive, and readily available.
McDonalds Incorporation (2017). McDonalds USA nutrition facts for popular menu items.

Retrieved from:http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/usnutritionexchange/nutritionfacts.pdf

McDonalds fast food contains high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. While
chloric content was not overly ridiculous, the elements incorporated to food make it
dangerous to eat regularly. If ordering the quarter pounder alone, one will consume 61%
of their daily recommended saturated fat, 31% of cholesterol, and 45% of sodium. Influx
levels of each of these leads to health complications if abused frequently. The most
surprising was the hotcake meal. While alone its practically harmless, adding one
package of syrup doubles your daily recommended sugar intake. This information will be
useful for discussing how fast food is related to high blood pressure, cholesterol levels,
and heart disease. While one might expect calories would be the indicator for most foods;
sodium, fat levels, and sugar should be considered before ordering.
Mello, M. M., Rimm, E. B., & Studdert, D. M. (2003). The McLawsuit: The fast-food industry

and legal accountability for obesity. Health Affairs, 22(6), 207-216.

In 2002 a group of overweight children in New York City sued McDonalds for
consum[ing] McDonalds products and develop[ing] diabetes, coronary heart disease,
high blood pressure, [and] elevated cholesterol intake as result in Pelman v. McDonalds.
Although the case was eventually dismissed, the litigation called attention to the adverse
consequences of consuming fast food. The case was dismissed under the notion the
danger
associated with the product [was] open and obvious and a consequence of his or her
own poor decisions. The case drew media attention to the ridiculous case, however, the
case was said to heighten awareness of the adverse health effects of heavy consumption
of fast food. During the fourth quarter of 2002, McDonalds posted a loss in profits after
the case. This case is interesting because of the ruling the food was obvious[ly] unsafe
for consumption.
Thom, T., Haase, N., Rosamond, W., Howard, V. J., Rumsfeld, J., Manolio, T., ... & Lloyd-Jones,

D.(2006). Heart disease and stroke statistics--2006 update: a report from the American

Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation,

113(6), e85.

Heart disease is the single largest killer of Americans with a 47% probability of
eventually dying from cardio vascular disease. Over time, Americans have becoming
increasing susceptible to heart disease and diabetes due to lack of exercise and poor
dietary habits. Since 1963, obesity in adolescents ages 12-19 [has] increased from 4.6%
to 16.1%. Similarly, the daily intake of sodium and cholesterol has increased
significantly since 1970, marked by an increase in portion size of fast-food outlets. This
article was important providing background information on heart disease and statistics
that support an unhealthy diet increases chances of developing heart disease. The
ingredients present in McDonalds food are problematic in the way they effect the body,
increasing bad levels of cholesterol and sodium intake. Larger portion sizes increase
caloric intake making individuals more likely to gain weight and increasing plaque
around the heart. With every minute that passes an American will suffer a coronary event,
calling for change in Americans diets.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (2013). Guidance for industry: A food labeling guide.

Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocuments

RegulatoryInformation

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, the daily recommended values are as followed: total fat
65g, saturated fat20g, cholesterol200mg, sodium2,400mg, carbohydrate300g,
 fiber25g, protein50g, calcium1000mg, iron18mg. Each of these elements are
essential to daily function, however too much or too little has negative effects on the
body. An influx of sodium for example can lead to calcium leaching out of bones into
urine, high blood pressure, and significantly increase risk for stroke while too little fiber
may lead to digestive problems. Daily recommended values, however, may vary by age
and activity level. For instance, an active teenage boy needs 3,400 calories compared to a
sedentary eighteen-year-old who only needs 2,400. Females the same age need anywhere
from 1,800 to 2,400 depending on lifestyle. These values are important for comparing
traditional McDonalds food entrees to see how they line up with daily values.
World Health Organization (2015). Avoiding heart attacks and strokes: Dont be a victim

protect yourself. Paris: WHO Publications.

This pamphlet produced by the World Health Organization describes the differences
between healthy and unhealthy body systems. The heart, traditionally the size of a fist, is
responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels. During a heart
attack, caused by a blockage or atherosclerosis, the muscle fails to receive oxygen. Fat
build up can start as young as the age of ten. Although family history of heart disease
may play a role in buildup, smoking, diet, and exercise are the three largest factors in
heart health. The WHO recommends diets low in salt, fat, and sugar to maintain hearth
health. Along with heart disease, foods high in fat, salt, or sugar increase risk of high
blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol all diseases that may cause damage to the
heart overtime. Type II Diabetes, caused by a poor diet, is the most common form making
up 95% of those diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes increases hardening of arteries,
risking a breakage in the vessel. Additionally, foods high in fat increase bad levels of
cholesterol in the blood. Two different forms of cholesterol are present in the body: High
Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
bad cholesterol. HDL actually lowers chances of heart disease and is found in foods
such as fish, nuts, beans, or whole grains. LDL comes from foods high in saturated fat
and increases risk for heart disease. Cholesterol cannot naturally dissolve in the blood and
requires lipoproteins to transport it through the body. High cholesterol may increase
blood pressure, causing the heart to work abnormally hard. Diabetes, cholesterol, and
obesity all contribute to heart disease in negative ways and are caused from influx
substances found in fast food. This article is useful because it describes the heart system
more and clearly states diets high in salt, sugar, fat, etc. all commonly found in fast
food are dangerous for physical health.