The Negative Impact of Junk Food on Teenagers

If teenagers consume it excessively, it can get a disease or even be fatal, which leads to death. Therefore, there are some negative impacts of junk food on teenagers.

First, junk food can cause obesity for teenagers. Teenagers who eat junk food beyond reasonable limits can be at risk of becoming obese. Obesity is caused by overnutrition in the body.

Consumption of junk food and consumption of soft drinks plays an essential role in increasing the number of obese teenagers (Jeffery & French, 1998).

Teenagers who consume junk food with a high total energy intake have a greater risk of obesity than teenagers who consume a low energy intake of junk food.

Second, junk food can make teenagers addicted. Some teenagers who tend to consume excessive junk food will create an addictive effect on these foods.

Overeating junk food makes it difficult for teenagers to eat healthy foods later in life because eating habits in teenagers affect them into adulthood.

The delicious taste of junk food makes teenagers so addicted that they do not want to enjoy the taste of other ordinary foods.

Third, junk food can create fatigue and anxiety. Teenagers who have a diet dominated by processed foods and fats such as junk food can cause fatigue.

If the body only absorbs all types of foods classified as junk food for a certain period, this can lead to chronic fatigue. In addition to causing fatigue, eating junk food can make teenagers worry and often tremble. The disease is caused by a lack of omega-3 fatty acids, refined carbohydrates that cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Junk food also contains refined carbohydrates that change blood sugar levels in adolescence. Very low sugar levels in teens can cause anxiety, fatigue, and confusion. It is better to refuse fried or other harmful foods (Yulistara, 2012).

Lastly, junk food can increase risk factors for high blood pressure (hypertension). Junk food, such as french fries, tastes significant to most people. Without realizing it, these foods contain high salt.

Salt contains sodium; the high content of bad fats and sodium disrupts the balance of sodium and potassium in the body, causing hypertension. Sodium affects the renin-angiotensin system in the kidneys, which can later cause high blood pressure.

Research in America shows that someone who eats junk food in large portions and with a frequency of 2 to 3 times per week can cause hypertension. (Mihrete, 2011) The more often the habit of eating junk food, the greater the chance of experiencing hypertension (Pratiwi, 2010).

In conclusion, Junk food is not good and has a negative impact on teenagers if it is consumed too often. Junk food contains many substances that can harm the body if teenagers consume it in excess.

Experts have conducted many studies to prove that junk food contains high calories and is rich in animal protein, which will cause many disorders in the body of teenagers if consumed in excess.

If junk food is consumed in excess, it will impact health problems such as obesity, increasing risk factors for hypertension, fatigue, anxiety, and junk food can also make teenagers addicted to eating it.