Fast Food Health Risks & Cost

Fast food is inexpensive relative to most other food choices. Fast foods contain lots of calories, sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats -- substances that increase your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Increased health risks are directly associated with increased consumption of fast foods. Yet, as prices for fast foods increase, consumption and health risks decrease. Eating healthier foods may reduce your health risks and your costs.

Obesity Risk and Fast Food Cost

Fast food increases your weight. Body Mass Index, BMI, is an indicator of body fat that is measured according to your weight and height. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of obesity and chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, gallstones and cancer. Research by the Department of Economics and Institute for Health Research and Policy in 2009 found the price of fast food -- not the accessibility of fast food restaurants -- is statistically associated with BMI of teenagers, particularly among families in low to middle socioeconomic status. The low-cost of fast food influenced weight gain, the report showed.

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Diabetes Riisk and Fast Food Cost

Consuming fast food may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Scientists estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes will increase 300 percent in the United States in the next 40 years, from 10 percent to 33 percent of the population. Research by scientists at the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2010 discovered that increasing the price of fast food items by $1, reduced the amount of calorie intake from these foods, decreased weight gain and lowered insulin resistance, risk factors for obesity and type 2 diabetes. The research suggests the US government should consider policies aimed at altering the price of fast foods to steer Americans toward eating healthier foods and reducing the risks of chronic diseases. The total annual health care cost to treat diabetes is estimated at $174 billion.

Stroke Risk and Cost

Fast food restaurants use processed foods with high amounts of sodium to flavor your meals. Sodium is a risk factor for high blood pressure and stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States. Scientists at the University of Michigan predict that the treatment of strokes will cost the United States $2.2 trillion by 2050 unless Americans change their eating habits and maintain normal blood pressure.

Fast Food Cost

Fast food restaurants predominantly serve meals in big portion sizes with higher amounts of calories than you need and contain additive ingredients such as preservatives, flavorings, sweeteners, sodium and colors. Many restaurants are increasing the costs for fast foods with prices as high as $10 per person and over $30 or $40 for a family of four in some locations. Purchasing healthy food ingredients and preparing meals at home can save you money.