Fast Food Pattern and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Review of Current Studies

Abstract

Background: There are growing concern globally regarding the alarming trend of fast food consumption and its related cardiometabolic outcomes including overweight and obesity. This study aimed to review the current evidences available in relation to adverse effects of fast food pattern on cardiometa­bolic risk factors. Methods: Relevant articles including epidemiological and clinical studies with appropriate design and good quality were obtained through searches of the Medline, PubMed, Scopus databases and Google scholar with related key words including "fast foods", "processed foods", "obesity", "overweight", "insulin resistance", "diabetes", "cardiovascular disease", "metabolic syndrome", "dyslipidemia" and "hypertension". Results: Fast food consumption and out-of-home eating behavior is a main risk factor for lower diet quality, higher calorie and fat intake and lower micronutrients density of diet. Frequent consumption of fast foods was accompanied with overweight and abdominal fat gain, impaired insulin and glucose homeostasis, lipid and lipoprotein disorders, induction of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Higher fast food consumption also increases the risk of developmental diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: This review provides further evidence warning us against the irreparable effects of fast food consumption on public health especially the increasing global burden of obesity and cardiovascu­lar diseases.

Cross‐sectional analysis of unhealthy foods, race/ethnicity, sex and cardiometabolic risk factors in U.S. adults

“…A review of fast food consumption and cardiometabolic risk indicated that high frequency of fast food consumption was associated with dyslipidaemia. 28 Their results corroborate with our findings as fast foods generally contain processed meats and fried potatoes. Acrylamide, a carcinogen, forms with fried potatoes, because of the availability of carbohydrate, oil and the high temperature.…”

“…Over three‐quarters of the population reported consuming fried potatoes which was associated with dyslipidaemia as measured by high non‐HDL‐C (>130 mg/dL). A review of fast food consumption and cardiometabolic risk indicated that high frequency of fast food consumption was associated with dyslipidaemia . Their results corroborate with our findings as fast foods generally contain processed meats and fried potatoes.…”

Risk factors for adiposity in the urban population and influence on the prevalence of overweight and obesity

“…Data from literature is abundant regarding the association between fast-food consumption and obesity. Research demonstrated that compared to non-consumers individuals that consume fast-food products have a risk of obesity increased by 20-129% (10). Consumption of fast-food products is not only associated with obesity but also with cardiovascular disease, increasing the prevalence of these pathologies with 52-162% (10).…”

Association of Fast‐Food and Full‐Service Restaurant Densities With Mortality From Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, and the Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus

“…33 This suggests dietary components linked to CVD and stroke (eg, salt, SFA, and TFA) may have greater levels in FFRs than in FSRs. 41 The negative association between diabetes mellitus prevalence and FSRs was also found with respect to obesity 33 and presumably reflects an unaccounted for confounding factor. 33 These cross-sectional correlational data on the association of greater densities of FFRs with both CVD and stroke mortality support other correlational data indicating a link between fastfood consumption and risk factors for CVD.…”

“…The energy contents of meals served in FSRs are generally larger than those consumed at FFRs, but they are consumed less frequently, so their contributions to total calorie intake are approximately equal . This suggests dietary components linked to CVD and stroke (eg, salt, SFA, and TFA) may have greater levels in FFRs than in FSRs . The negative association between diabetes mellitus prevalence and FSRs was also found with respect to obesity and presumably reflects an unaccounted for confounding factor …”