It is no secret that the youth today have been eating lots of junk food, and it is getting to a point where their health is being heavily impacted. Students at Preuss have it bad too, due to the convenience of junk food at UCSD’s Price Center, Nobel Drive’s restaurants, and cheap snacks at Old Town, and City College stores. The easy accessibility makes it extremely tempting for students. Students need to limit their intake of junk food because of the negative health effects, how easy it is to access, and addictions it can cause.
One major issue with junk food consumption is the negative effect it can have on students’ health. Most junk foods contain high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats that are not beneficial to the body when eaten regularly. For example, an average soda can contain around 39 grams of sugar, which is more than the recommended daily amount for teenagers. The American Heart Association recommends that teens limit added sugar to about 25 to 36 grams per day, and many students easily go over that amount just from drinks and snacks alone. When students eat junk food a lot, it can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and long term health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. Since students are still growing, their bodies need nutrients like vitamins, protein, and fiber to stay healthy. When students consume chips, candy, and fast food, the important nutrients that are needed are not supplied, which affects focus and energy levels in school.
Additionally, mass junk food consumption among students needs more attention because of how accessible it is, especially for Preuss students who can quickly buy snacks and fast food within minutes due to proximity to trolleys and bus stops. Price Center and Nobel Drive have multiple restaurants and convenience stores, while Old Town and City College have cheap shops where students can easily buy candy, chips, soda, etc. Since these options are close by and cheaper, students are more likely to choose them instead of healthier options. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health provides information that when fast food and convenience stores are located near schools, students are more likely to consume unhealthy snacks regularly. When junk food is this convenient and inexpensive, it becomes a no-brainer choice, especially for the youth.
Junk food can also become addictive for people. Foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat are designed to taste extremely good, which makes people want to continuously eat them. According to Yale University, sugary and fat foods can trigger the brain’s reward system in a similar way to other addictive substances. Also, some highly processed foods can lead to cravings and loss of control over eating for certain individuals. Over time, people may start craving junk food more often and choosing it instead of fruits, vegetables, or home cooked meals. Once this habit forms it can be very difficult to break and can continue into adulthood.
Students’ intake of junk food needs more attention because it can harm their health, it is very easy for students to access, and it can become highly addictive.
