Junk food: Difference between revisions
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{{Rquote|Right|'You are what you eat', but in fact it may also be true that you are what your mother ate|Dr Stephanie Bayol|[[Royal Veterinary College]]}} |
{{Rquote|Right|'You are what you eat', but in fact it may also be true that you are what your mother ate|Dr Stephanie Bayol|[[Royal Veterinary College]]}} |
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Eating a poor diet when pregnant or [[Breastfeeding|breastfeeding]] may cause long-lasting health damage, according to child, animal studies by the [[Royal Veterinary College]] and London's [[Wellcome Trust]]. The offspring of rats fed fatty, [[processed food]] had high levels of fat in their bloodstream and around major organs even after adolescence, animals had a raised [[diabetes]] risk, even if they ate healthily.<ref name='BBCJUNK'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Mother's junk food 'harms child' | date= | publisher= | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7481026.stm | work =[[BBC]] | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | language = }}</ref> |
Eating a poor diet when pregnant or [[Breastfeeding|breastfeeding]] may cause long-lasting health damage, according to child, animal studies by the [[Royal Veterinary College]] and London's [[Wellcome Trust]]. The offspring of rats fed fatty, [[processed food]] had high levels of fat in their bloodstream and around major organs even after adolescence, animals had a raised [[diabetes]] risk, even if they ate healthily.<ref name='BBCJUNK'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Mother's junk food 'harms child' | date= | publisher= | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7481026.stm | work =[[BBC]] | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | language = }}</ref> |
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:I'm hung up on junk food, and all I like to eat is junk food. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 03:38, 24 August 2008
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 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2008) |
Junk food is food that is unhealthy and/or has little or no nutritional value. The term is believed to have been coined by Michael Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972.[1] The term has since come into common usage.
Junk food contains high levels of refined sugar, white flour, trans fat and polyunsaturated fat, salt, and numerous food additives such as monosodium glutamate and tartrazine; at the same time, it is lacking in proteins, vitamins and fiber, among other healthy attributes. It is popular with suppliers because it is relatively cheap to manufacture, has a long shelf life and may not require refrigeration. It is popular with consumers because it is easy to purchase, requires little or no preparation, is convenient to consume and has lots of flavor. Consumption of junk food has been associated with obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and dental cavities. There is also concern about the targeting of marketing to children.
Classification
What constitutes unhealthy food may be confusing and, according to critics, includes elements of class snobbery, cultural influence and moral judgement. For example, fast food in North America, such as as hamburgers and french fries supplied by companies like McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut, are often perceived as junk food, whereas similar meals supplied by more up-market outlets such as California Pizza Kitchen or Nando's are not, despite often having the same or worse nutritional content.[1] Some foods that are considered ethnic or traditional are not generally considered junk food, such as falafel, gyro, pakora, gyoza or chicharron, though all of these foods have little nutritional value and are usually high in fat from being fried in oil. Other foods such as white rice or roast potatoes are not considered junk food despite having limited nutritional content compared to wholegrain foods. Similarly, breakfast cereals are often regarded as healthy but may have high levels of sugar, salt and fat.[2]
Some types of chips/crisps that are said to be "junk food" may actually be partially harmful because they may contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. It should also be understood that the detrimental effects of the empty calories may outweigh the benefits of the unsaturated fats[citation needed]. These foods tend to be high in sodium, which may contribute in causing hypertension (high blood pressure) in people sensitive to its effects with an existing electrolyte imbalance or inability to excrete sodium properly.
In the United Kingdom, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) do not use the term "junk food", and describe food as "HFSS" (high fat, sugar or salt) instead, based on a nutrient profiling model[3]. They state that "HFSS foods can form part of a balanced diet, but research shows that children's diets contain too much fat (especially saturated fat), salt and sugar, and not enough fruit and vegetables."[4]
Marketing
During 2006, in the United Kingdom, following a high profile media campaign by the chef Jamie Oliver and a threat of court action from the National Heart Forum[5], the UK advertising regulator and competition authority, Ofcom, launched a consultation on advertising of foods to children.[6] The Food Standards Agency was one of many respondents.[7] As a result, a ban on advertising during children's television programs and programs aimed at young people was announced.[8] The ban also includes marketing using celebrities, cartoon characters and health or nutrition claims.
Pregnancy
'You are what you eat', but in fact it may also be true that you are what your mother ate
— Dr Stephanie Bayol, Royal Veterinary College
Eating a poor diet when pregnant or breastfeeding may cause long-lasting health damage, according to child, animal studies by the Royal Veterinary College and London's Wellcome Trust. The offspring of rats fed fatty, processed food had high levels of fat in their bloodstream and around major organs even after adolescence, animals had a raised diabetes risk, even if they ate healthily.[9]
- I'm hung up on junk food, and all I like to eat is junk food.
See also
Super Size Me - a documentary film about junk food
References
- ^ a b O'Neill, Brendon (2006-11-27). "Is this what you call junk food?". BBC News. Retrieved 2006-11-27.
- ^ "Poor nutrition in cereals exposed". BBC News. 2004-03-31. Retrieved 2006-11-28.
- ^ "Nutrient profiling". Food Standards Agency. 2005. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
- ^ "Key Facts". Food Standards Agency. 2007-04-01. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
- ^ The Guardian (Felicity Lawrence) Heart campaigners drop case over junk food ad ban 22 June 2006
- ^ Television advertising of food and drink products to children - Options for new restrictions
- ^ Food Standards Agency Board responds to Ofcom consultation
- ^ "Junk food ad crackdown announced". BBC News. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2006-11-28.
- ^ "Mother's junk food 'harms child'". BBC. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
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External links
- Junk Food Molecules by Abigail Nussey, The Wolfram Demonstrations Project.