Is Convenience Worth the Cost?
Examining Corporate Responsibility in the Brain-Gut Axis Crisis
By Avneesh Saravanapavan
Fast food as an industry stands at the center of issues regarding public health, ethics, and corporate profitability, presenting challenges that extend far beyond personal diets. Through aggressive marketing strategies, fast-food companies are able to influence consumer behavior, being so ubiquitous as to shape the psychology of children. Its convenience and affordability appeal to a broad demographic, and its widespread consumption has raised public health concerns. A research paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has linked fast-food consumption to adverse health effects, such as obesity and poor dietary outcomes [1]. These health issues not only affect individual well-being but also place a heavy economic burden on the healthcare systems in place. Efforts to address these issues via policy have been met with resistance from the industry, raising pressing questions about fast food’s impact on public health and our mental & physical well-being.
The fast-food industry thrives on maximizing profitability, often at the expense of public health. In 2010, McDonald’s Corporation had an average stock price of $48.25. However, over a 14-year period, this number has increased to $298.56 as of November 14th, 2024, marking a substantial increase of 618.78% in stock price.[2]
Other fast food companies have experienced the same large growth seen by McDonalds, largely due to their advertising efforts. Companies invest billions of dollars annually in advertising campaigns designed to target vulnerable populations, including children and low-income families. A 2021 study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity detailed that in 2019 alone, fast food advertising expenditures in the United States exceeded $5 billion [3]. These advertisements are deliberately designed to be visually appealing and emotionally resonant, using bright colors, recognizable songs, and offering incentives to foster brand loyalty from an early age. Children are particularly vulnerable to such tactics, as their cognitive development limits their ability to assess the persuasive intent behind these ads critically. The Rudd Center’s research underscores how these marketing efforts not only increase short-term consumption but also establish lifelong dietary patterns that prioritize convenience over nutrition. This cyclical relationship is a full display of the systemic nature of the public health challenges posed by the fast-food industry.
These advertisements often promote calorie-dense, ultra-processed foods with low nutritional value, contributing significantly to the rising prevalence of obesity in the United States. The CDC reports that over 42% of adults are classified as obese, a condition linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers [4]. Obesity not only shortens life expectancy but also imposes substantial economic burdens on healthcare systems, with estimated costs exceeding $173 billion in the United States per year. The CDC’s findings illustrate how dietary habits shaped by fast-food consumption have long-term consequences that extend beyond individual health, affecting societal structures and economic stability. Furthermore, obesity disproportionately impacts marginalized populations, exacerbating existing health disparities and raising ethical questions about the responsibility of corporations in addressing these inequities.
The proximity of fast-food establishments to schools is a prime example; a study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that schools located closer to fast-food restaurants reported higher adolescent obesity rates [5]. The study’s authors noted that the convenience and affordability of these establishments make them attractive options for students, particularly those from low-income families. This accessibility not only normalizes the consumption of unhealthy foods but also limits exposure to healthier dietary choices, reinforcing poor eating habits that persist into adulthood. The spatial dynamics of fast-food placement reveals a calculated strategy to capitalize on the dietary vulnerabilities of youth, further entrenching the public health challenges associated with obesity and related illnesses.
Efforts to counteract these trends have faced significant resistance from the food industry. Regulatory measures, such as taxes on sugary drinks or restrictions on advertising to children, have shown promise in curbing consumption. However, these initiatives are often met with well-funded legal challenges and public relations campaigns. For example, New York City’s 2012 proposal to ban large sugary drinks was struck down after intense lobbying by the beverage industry [6]. The beverage industry’s campaign framed the regulation as an infringement on personal freedom, successfully diverting attention from the public health benefits of reducing sugary drink consumption. The immense influence of corporate lobbying efforts in shaping public discourse and undermining health initiatives is deftly shown in the fast-food industries' efforts. It also underscores the ethical dilemmas policymakers face in balancing individual freedoms with the collective need to address the public health crisis linked to unhealthy dietary habits.
Food accessibility and inequities are both central issues and targets for the fast food industry. Low-income and marginalized communities often face limited access to affordable, nutritious food options, leading to a reliance on fast food. This phenomenon, known as "food deserts," describes areas where residents have restricted access to supermarkets or grocery stores offering healthy foods. A 2020 study highlighted that urban poverty significantly impedes access to a healthy diet, contributing to malnutrition and diet-related diseases [7]. Moreover, the strategic placement of fast-food outlets in these neighborhoods exacerbates health disparities. Research indicates that low-income areas have a higher density of fast-food restaurants, which correlates with increased rates of obesity and related health issues [8]. This targeted proliferation raises ethical questions about corporate responsibility and the perpetuation of health inequities through the exploitation of vulnerable populations.
The impact of fast food extends beyond physical health to mental well-being.. High consumption of fast food has been linked to increased risks of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. A 2023 study published in BMC Psychiatry found that diets high in processed and fast foods are associated with higher incidences of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety [9]. The inflammatory response triggered by these diets exacerbates symptoms of anxiety and depression. [10]
Fast-food corporations leverage these dietary habits, seeing them as an opportunity to drive consumption through engineered flavors and addictive additives. While this ensures high profitability, it often comes at the expense of consumer health. As the American Psychological Association notes, diets dominated by ultra-processed foods not only reduce emotional resilience but also contribute to cognitive decline [11]. These challenges are particularly pronounced in communities with limited access to healthier alternatives, where fast food remains the most accessible and affordable option. This dynamic underscores the dual role of fast food as both a symptom and driver of societal inequalities, perpetuating public health crises that link physical and mental health in a reinforcing cycle. Without structural intervention, these patterns rooted in corporate strategy will continue to undermine community health and well-being.
Marketing strategies by fast food industries also heavily influence consumer autonomy. While consumers are presumed to make free choices, the industry's deliberate tactics often undermine this autonomy. For instance, fast-food companies employ menu engineering techniques such as strategic item placement and descriptive labeling to influence purchasing decisions without consumers' conscious awareness. These methods can lead individuals to select less healthy, higher-margin items, thereby compromising informed decision-making [12].
Moreover, the pervasive advertising of fast food, especially to children, exploits cognitive vulnerabilities. Children lack the developmental capacity to critically evaluate marketing messages, making them particularly susceptible to persuasive advertising. One of the most prominent examples of this is the McDonald’s Happy Meal, which combines toys, colorful packaging, and heavily marketed characters to create a powerful appeal to children. The inclusion of toys fosters an emotional connection with the brand, while the meal’s affordability ensures accessibility for parents. Ads targeting a younger audience in conjunction with locations near to schools increases the risk of poor diets through early association. This targeted marketing fosters early brand loyalty and establishes unhealthy eating habits that can persist into adulthood, effectively manipulating consumer preferences from a young age [13].
With the fast-food industry continuing its growth, its dominance reveals the broad implications of its controversial practices on the well-being of its consumers. While convenience and affordability have made fast food a staple, its impact on physical and mental health in conjunction with its perpetuation of health inequality, cannot be ignored. From exploiting vulnerable populations through targeted marketing and strategic placement to evade public health regulations, fast-food corporations prioritize profitability at the expense of long-term social health. Efforts to counter these trends requires a rapid approach of stricter regulations, accountability and more consumer education. Without structural interventions and a prompt reevaluation of the fast-food industry’s influence on daily diet habits and health outcomes, this prevalent issue will persist, causing a burden on healthcare systems and entrenching the social inequities already in place.
The question remains: Is the convenience of fast food truly worth the cost of our health and well-being[1] ?
I really enjoyed reading your piece!! The narrative flowed throughout and made for a logical, convincing case against the dominance of the fast food industry in the United States. I added a word suggestion and fixed a spelling error, but otherwise I thought this piece was great as is.
Review Editor: Radhika Subramani
Design Editor: Ariha Mehta
[1] Poti, J. M., Duffey, K. J., & Popkin, B. M. (2014). The association of fast food consumption with poor dietary outcomes and obesity among children: Is it the fast food or the remainder of the diet? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 99(1), 162–171.
[2] Macrotrends. "McDonald's - 54 Year Stock Price History | MCD." Accessed November 19, 2024. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/MCD/mcdonalds/stock-price-history.
[3] Jennifer L. Harris, Frances Fleming-Milici, and Jocelyn Kelly, "Fast Food FACTS 2021: Fast Food Advertising Aimed at Children and Teens," Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, University of Connecticut, December 2021, https://uconnruddcenter.org/research/food-marketing/fast-food-facts/.
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Adult Obesity Facts," https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html.
[5] N. M. Laraia et al., "Proximity of Fast-Food Restaurants to Schools and Adolescent Obesity Rates," American Journal of Public Health 94, no. 9 (September 2004): 1575-81.
[6] Margot Sanger-Katz, "Why New York City’s Sugary Drink Ban Was Struck Down," The New York Times, June 26, 2014, https://www.nytimes.com.
[7] Elizabeth L. Sweet, "The Urban Food Desert as a Space of Inequity," International Journal for Equity in Health 19, no. 1 (2020): 2-12, https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-020-01330-0.
[8] N. D. Lee, "Fast-Food Restaurants and Obesity Rates in Low-Income Communities," American Journal of Medicine 132, no. 8 (2019): 979-985, https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2819%2930747-8/fulltext.
[9] BMC Psychiatry Editorial Board, "Dietary Patterns and Mental Health Outcomes," BMC Psychiatry 23, no. 3 (2023): 243-255, https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-05889-8.
[10] Samantha L. Hodge et al., "The Role of Diet-Induced Inflammation in Depression and Anxiety," Journal of Psychiatric Research 135, no. 4 (2021): 47-57, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.11.015.
[11] American Psychological Association, "Diet and Mental Health: How Food Affects Mood," Monitor on Psychology 48, no. 9 (2017): 28-31, https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/09/food-mental-health.
[12] Sarah Bowen et al., "Menu Engineering and Consumer Autonomy," Journal of Consumer Research 46, no. 5 (2019): 1123-1138, https://academic.oup.com/jcr/article/46/5/1123/5584408.
[13] John Quelch, "Marketing Fast Food to Children," Harvard Business Review 89, no. 3 (2011): 102-110, https://hbr.org/2011/03/marketing-fast-food-to-children.