The Silent Killer!!!

evawhite on January 25th, 2008

Junk Food: The Silent Killer.

Junk Food is one thing that we all know is bad for our health and body but still we cannot do without consuming it. It’s one tough job to stay away from junk food. There are just so many avenues which are available which attract us towards Junk Food, especially children. Avenues like television advertisements, hoardings, mushrooming fast food restaurants, roadside eateries all attract us to junk food like bees to honey.

Here are some statistics which show a clear picture about the percentage of junk food that we consume.

Percentage of people who snack at least once a day

United States………80%
Germany…………….74%
United Kingdom…. 69%
Brazil…………………64%
Italy……………………62%
Spain…………………57%
Japan………………..66%
France……………….53%
India………………39%
China……………..25%

Consumption of Snacks

As reported in the July/August issue of Fiery Foods Magazine
Americans are the biggest consumers of savory snacks such as crisps and nuts, having eating 2.7 million tons in 1996. Chinese people consume the least, having eaten 6,000 tons in 1996.

Consumption of Chips

As reported in the July/August issue of Fiery Foods Magazine
Almost 89 percent of U.S. households buy potato chips in a year, replenishing about every three weeks.
76 percent buy tortilla chips and replenish about every 32 days.
63 percent buy pretzels and replenish about every 37 days

Apart from these stats at any given time, children aged 1 to 5 are more likely to drink aerated drinks rather than juices, which are high in calories. Children between the age group 6 to 11 are more likely to eat cookies, biscuits, chips than fruits. And children between the age group of 12-17 are more likely to eat all junk food like burgers, pizzas, fries, etc. than soups, salads or wholesome meals. Highest consumption of junk food falls in this bracket of age group.

Looking at the above statistics it becomes very important to say “NO” to JUNK FOOD. With the influence of commercials on televisions and hoarding on streets it makes the job of avoiding junk food much tougher.

Junk Food Can Be Avoided

Awareness is the key to success in the fight against Junk Food. Every child needs to be made aware of the harm that JUNK FOOD causes to one’s body. They should be given full knowledge about the consequences of eating junk food. I have seen lately many schools are teaching children to stay away from Junk food. This is a good start to fight the battle against junk food.

Another way to fight the battle is to start substituting colas with fruit juices and soups, chips with salads and burgers and pizzas with wholesome meals. Children as well as adults should be made more health conscious.
It is a tough job ahead and we as responsible citizens need to make our younger generation healthier and fit to face the world ahead.
So let’s make this New Year resolution to say “NO TO JUNK FOOD”.

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Tags: Food, Health, Junk
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