The phrase “fast food” invokes thoughts of cheap, delicious and convenient meals. However, the truth is that these words can be deceiving.

Compared to home-cooked food, junk food is much richer in calories, fats, and carbohydrates, all of which promote weight gain when consumed in large quantities. For example, McDonald’s “Angus Bacon & Cheese,” which can satisfy the hunger of a normal teenage boy, contains one-third of the normal daily calorie content of every individual. On the other hand, the same quantity of food in baked potatoes is no more than 220 calories, which is equal to one-tenth of a person’s calorie ration per day.  Also, half of the calories in convenience foods come from fat, which is becoming a serious threat to the modern man. Spending lunch breaks in a amongst junk food increases an individual’s chances of falling ill with lethal diseases, such as heart attacks and Type 2 diabetes.

When asked about their opinion on junk food, most people answer that it is not a problem for them to eat it once or twice a week. Few are those who say that they are waiting on the queues of McDonald’s, KFC, or Burger King every day. Unfortunately, the number of people who consider themselves strongly against the consumption of junk food is even smaller.

The problem is not that people are unaware of the harmful effects of fast food on their health. However, it is a common misconception in most parts of the world that it is less expensive than self-prepared food. In his article “Is junk food really cheaper?” New York Times columnist Mark Bittman reveals: “hyperprocessed food remains more expensive than food cooked at home.” According to Bittman, feeding a menage of four with convenience food may cost from $23 to $28. On the other hand, buying the same amount of raw chicken and potatoes and preparing them at home, according to the Times, is around $14- half the price of a similar menu at McDonald’s.

Although most people claim that they buy junk food because it is cheaper, specialists in this sphere agree that money does not motivate people to eat unhealthy food. Nowadays, consumers buy junk food mainly because it is much more convenient for them to not have to spend time shopping and then cooking at home. The average American adult works about eight hours a day, which doesn’t always allow for him or her to meet all of the household duties.  Of course, passing through some convenience-food place on your way home after work can seem like the perfect alternative to preparing home meals.

Others point out that those who live far away from food markets are forced to consume the nearest available, and often unhealthy, food they can find. In the 21st century it is laughable for people to claim that isolation is the main reason for them to consume junk food. Although a recent study showed the discouraging a truth, that “there are five fast-food restaurants for every supermarket in the United States.” This doesn’t mean that people are not given the chance to choose whether to live healthily, or to continue spending time in the dining halls of junk-food restaurants.

Recent studies have shown that humans have become much more aware of the fact that they should consume more nutritious food, if they want to be healthy. However, according to the Director of Nutritional Policy with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Margo Wootan, it is still impossible to convince some people that fruits and vegetables are more beneficial and less expensive than products rich in fat, salt, or sugar. “If they buy a bag of chips for $2, they think it is a good deal, but if they buy a bag of apples for $2, they think it’s a lot,” Ms. Wootan commented.

The inclination to consume fast food is accepted as one of the major problems people face today.  Whether we will solve it or not depends entirely on us. However, one thing is clear: serious measures have to be taken soon, in order for us to prevent the ceaseless progress of the “junk-food epidemic” that is affecting the modern world.

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Silver Spring, U.S.A. – We’ve grown up with America’s favorite treat – fast food. From beloved childhood memories to classic Americana, the art of quick and delicious fare represents some of life’s greatest pleasures and often marks milestone moments. .

Destination America invites fans to celebrate gastronomy-to-go as Fast Food Mania makes its world premiere on June 3, 2012, diving into the pop culture world of fast food, digging into its cuisine, featuring its fanatics and exploring all the one-of-a-kind wonders it has to offer. The immersive tour de food will be led by the intrepid fast food aficionado, Jon Hein (“The Howard Stern Show” and “The Fast Food Show” on Sirius/XM) as he dines and decodes the world’s most popular dishes.

The travel-packed and finger-licking series will not only look at awesome eats, but also offer up essential tips for navigating the ever-winding drive troughs and ordering secret menu items, as well as delve into never-before-seen test kitchens of some of America’s favorite chains.

Fast Food Mania also reveals behind-the-scenes stories and little known facts, including answers to trivia questions such as “Who designed the signature red and white KFC bucket?” Bet you didn’t know it was the owner of another popular fast food restaurant – Dave Thomas of Wendy’s — who once operated one of the largest KFC franchises!

“Some of our country’s most fascinating stories are born from the hard work and determination of what were once mom and pop businesses that evolved into great American successes – stories of the underdog selling the hot dog, if you will,” said Marc Etkind, senior vice president of content strategy for Destination America.

“Fast Food Mania celebrates those accomplishments and takes viewers on a nostalgic ride revisiting memorable campaigns, iconic outposts and, of course, tasty menu items – sometimes with a side of fries.”

This season, Fast Food Mania makes stops at beloved eateries such as Sonic, Dunkin Donuts, Dominos, Taco Bell, and the original hot dog stand by the sea, Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, NY. But it’s not just about the legendary brands. Fast food mania also uncover the up-and-coming chains making their mark, as well as hidden gems like Jet BBQ, a historic firehouse turned true drive-thru restaurant in Wichita, KS.

Fast Food Mania is produced by Sharp Entertainment with Matt Sharp serving as executive producer. Bob Larson is executive vice president and Dan Adler is vice president of production at Sharp Entertainment. Alison Mouledoux serves as co-executive producer. For Destination America, Fay Yu is executive producer, Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production, Marc Etkind is senior vice president, content strategy and Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.

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Over the last year, a network of more than 1,900 health professionals, including some of the nation’s top pediatricians, cardiologists, and child psychologists, has called on McDonald’s to stop marketing junk food to kids.

As part of the initiative, leading doctors are joining Corporate Accountability International in calling on the administrators of the nation’s leading health institutions to remove McDonald’s franchises from their premises. Twenty-two hospitals currently have contracts with the fast food industry leader, including the Cleveland Clinic and Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago.

“Kids are being treated for diet-related conditions like diabetes on one floor in the hospital and given the wrong message by being offered the world’s most recognized junk food brand on another floor in the hospital,” said Dr. Francine Kaufman, former president of the American Diabetes Association and professor emeritus of pediatrics and communications at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, one of the hospitals with a McDonald’s. “The practice earns McDonald’s an undeserved association with healthfulness among parents and children alike…and it should be curtailed.”

A 2006 study in the academic journal Pediatrics demonstrated that allowing a McDonald’s store to operate inside a hospital affects hospital guests’ consumption on the day of their visit, and boosts the perception of the “healthfulness” of McDonald’s food.

To address this concern and call for action, the initiative sent a letter to 22 hospital administrators last week. The letter further notes: “It’s no surprise that McDonald’s sites stores in hospitals. After all, for decades, McDonald’s has attempted to co-opt the health community, to deflect blame for the epidemic of disease that it has helped drive, and to pose itself as part of the solution.”

It also discusses the powerful message administrators could send in taking action, just as others have before them. For example, in 2009, Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas, Texas succeeded in replacing a McDonald’s with a smaller chain offering healthier food. McDonald’s had been the only chain restaurant at the hospital for 20 years. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Vanderbilt Medical Center have also ended their contracts with McDonald’s in recent years.

“Simply put, the less kids are exposed to fast food and its marketing, the less likely they are to suffer from diet-related conditions like type 2 diabetes,” said Sara Deon, International’s Value campaign director and the letter’s principle signatory. “McDonald’s has a long history of putting a healthy label on an inherently unhealthy brand.

It has used healthcare providers and institutions to help promote this image for decades. Today, administrators have the opportunity to provide a healthier food environment for the children and families they care for.”

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A recent study run by scientists from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Granada has confirmed a link between consumption of sugary foods (doughnuts, cakes, etc.) and fast food (French fries, hamburgers, pizza, etc.) and depression.

Published in the Public Health Nutrition journal, the study concludes that consumers who eat fast food and sugary foods, compared to those who eat little to none, are 51 percent more likely to develop depression.  In addition, the results have shown that “the more fast food you consume, the greater the risk of depression,” according to Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, lead author of the study.

Participants in the study who ate great amounts of fast food and commercially baked goods were also revealed to have a greater chance of being single, less active, and have comparatively worse dietary habits, such as eating less nutritious foods like fruit, nuts, fish, vegetables, and olive oil.  Other unhealthy characteristics of this group included smoking and working over 45 hours each week.

Those who do not consume commercially baked goods and fast food in large quantities are still at risk for developing mental illness.  “Even eating small quantities is linked to a significantly higher chance of developing depression,” the university researcher from the Canary Islands noted.

The study sample consisted of some 8,964 participants that had no past history with either depression or mental illness and were members of the SUN Project (University of Navarra Diet and Lifestyle Tracking Program). They were studied for an average of 6 months, and 493 of them were diagnosed with depression or began to use antidepressants.

These new conclusions support the results of a previous SUN project from 2011, published in the PLoS One journal.  The project recorded 657 new cases of depression out of the 12,059 people taking part in the study over the course of a little more than six months.  A 42 percent increase in risks associated with fast food was noted, a finding lower than that found in the current study.

Sánchez-Villegas says, “Although more studies are necessary, the intake of this type of food should be controlled because of its implications on both health (obesity, cardiovascular diseases) and mental well-being.”

Over 120 million people suffer from depression worldwide, meaning it is one of the leading causes of disability across the globe. Furthermore, in countries with low and medium incomes, it is the most common cause.  There is little information, however, about what role diet plays in developing different forms of depression.

Studies from the past have suggested that certain nutrients have a preventative role, such as B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and olive oil. Healthy diets, such as those common in the Mediterranean, have been linked to lower risks in developing depression.

While the exact link between fast food and sugary foods and depression is not yet known, the study will hopefully pave the way for other experiments revealing the exact causes that link bad diets and depression.

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HealthyWomen, the nation’s leading nonprofit health information source for women, and Allrecipes, the world’s number one digital food brand, joined forces to survey home cooks about their healthy eating habits and, in particular, fast food consumption.

Findings from the 1,563 persons polled, who were largely female, showed more than 56 percent ate at fast food restaurants at least several times a month. Among those, nearly 15 percent ate fast food two or more times a week. As consumers ponder their New Year’s resolutions, cutting back on fast food meals is one way to reduce weight and improve health.

“The majority of respondents, 75 percent, say they pay more attention to eating healthy now than they did five years ago,” said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive director of HealthyWomen. “Unfortunately, the quick stops at fast food restaurants often sabotage their efforts.”

Indeed, the majority of respondents (54 percent) admitted they feel “a bit guilty” after eating fast food and another 16 percent say they just feel “bad.”

So why stop at the fast-food drive thru? Half of the survey’s respondents said convenience to accommodate busy schedules and faster meal availability were the top reasons for eating fast food instead of cooking at home. To skip a fast food meal and instead cook a healthy meal at home, 83 percent said it would have to be prepared in 30 minutes or less.

Nearly half of survey respondents (47 percent) report the most challenging aspect of eating healthy is finding recipes that are healthy, affordable, and easy to make. Finding recipes that are flavorful and healthy is the biggest challenge cited by nearly one-third.

The study was conducted November 8-14, 2011, among 1,563 Allrecipes community members. Visit Allrecipes’ Fresh Bites blog to read a complete survey overview in the January issue of Allrecipes’ Measuring Cup Consumer Trends Report.

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Despite the new look for McDonald’s Happy Meals starting in Sept in the U.S. critics say McDonald’s can still do more.

The golden arches will be offering a healthier option for their Happy Meals. But the University of Minnesota’s Simone French believes McDonald is missing a bigger chance to help children’s health. French believe McDonald should get rid of the soda.

The kids’ meals will be adding 1/4 cup of apples to their meals in addition to serving a smaller portion of french fries.

This change with cut 130 calories from the current Happy Meal. -The new Happy Meal with four pieces of McNuggets, apple slices, smaller French Fries and 1% milk will have 410 calories, 19 grams of fat and 560 milligrams of sodium.

French is an expert on marketing and societal influences that affect eating behaviors and is studying how to improve the diets and habits of low-income Minnesota families. These families are particularly affected by fast food practices, she said, because those restaurants offer food they can afford.

“What you could do is not even offer a sugar-sweetened beverage in a kids’ meal,” she said to Star Tribune. “If parents want it, they should have to order it separately off the menu.

Childhood obesity has become a growing problem in the U.S. and health advocates have pointed fingers at McDonalds for contributing to the problem. But McDonald’s is taking steps to change that, “by adding fruit in every Happy Meal, McDonald’s hopes to address a challenge children face in meeting the recommended daily consumption of produce,” according to the corporation’s statement.

The changes follow first lady Michelle Obama’s public health campaign to prevent childhood obesity. The first lady says she commends the progress McDonalds is making by providing more fruit and reducing the calories in its Happy Meals, “I’ve always said that everyone has a role to play in making America healthier, and these are positive steps toward the goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity,” Michelle Obama in a statement.

“McDonald’s is taking steps in the right direction, but we should be careful in heaping praise on corporations for simply reducing the scope of the problem they continue to create,” said Kelle Louaillier, executive director of Corporate Accountability International to CNN Health. “Ultimately corporate responsibility is not about securing public relations for cleaning up your own mess, but for not creating the problem in the first place. In this case, that means stopping the marketing of junk food to kids.”

The suggested retail price of the Happy Meal will not change, remaining between $2.99 and $3.49.

“McDonald’s has been engaging suppliers, government and non-government organizations to determine ways it could play a role in helping society address today’s obesity concerns,” the company’s press release said. “McDonald’s will develop additional fruit and vegetable choices and expects them to roll out over the next few years.”

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