In addition to solid evidence that eating fast food promotes weight gain and obesity, it appears this infamous form of industrial food may also dramatically boost the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. For this new study, University of Minnesota researchers followed the dietary habits of 52,000 Singapore residents over a 16 year period of time. Those consuming fast food two to three times a week were 50% more likely to die of heart disease relative to those who did not eat fast food. For those consuming fast food four or more times a week the risk jumped up to 80 percent. Even a single weekly fast food meal increased the risk of dying from heart disease by 20 percent. Looking at type 2 diabetes risk – just two fast food meals a week jacked up risk by 27 percent.
Fast food establishments really do create the “perfect storm” for weight gain and poor health by making it so permissive for us to eat so many unhealthy calories with such extraordinary ease. Be sure to share this study with your loved ones! (Circulation online July 2, 2012)
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