The World Obesity Federation, a global charity focused on tackling obesity issues, defined obesity as a ‘chronic, relapsing disease’ and emphasises that the link between obesity and various other health conditions is frequently underestimated.

Data in 2022 from the World Population Review revealed that the United States leads in fast food consumption, with the UK coming in second. Affordability and accessibility of fast food is said to play a crucial role in its widespread consumption. For instance, a regular hamburger at fast food chains in the UK offer it as low as £1-£2, cheaper than healthier alternatives at other restaurant chains.

As of 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over a billion people were affected by obesity alone. Dr Ananya Mandal, who wrote in News Medical, pointed to studies that showed that the increase in obesity is associated with the mass consumption of fast food products, an increase in calorie intake coupled with lack of adequate physical activity.

According to data published by the UK Parliament in 2023, there has been a steady increase in the obesity rate in the UK over a span of 31 years, rising from 14.8% in 1993 to 28%. And according to The Health Survey for England, around 26% of adults were estimated to be obese in 2021.

Professor Teresa Davis, who spoke with The Guardian, said this was down to fast food chains specifically targeting children through advertisements.

Davis highlighted specific strategies to attract the attention of children, such as incentivising them to take selfies with some food items and sharing them on social media for a chance to win a “prize,” which could include a supply of that food.

This issue is further explored by BMC Public Health, which points out that companies often use promotional characters, collaborations with popular movies and shows, and direct messaging to children on social media platforms to influence their preferences and eating habits​.

Previous research by the National Library of Medicine highlighted that children were more susceptible to persuasive messages and advertisements. Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives at the University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, described how such marketing exploits children’s developmental vulnerabilities, making them more susceptible to these messages, and can lead to large consumption of fast food.

According to the National Institute of Health, there are many potential risks which commonly occur while a person is obese, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

The NHS Eatwell Guide recommends that women consume about 2,000 calories daily, and for men it’s around 2,500. The UK’s One You campaign suggests adults aim for 400 calories at breakfast and 600 calories each for lunch and dinner, with snacks filling in the remainder.

Recent studies have revealed that 60% of takeaway meals surpass the recommended 600 calories for lunch and dinner, a pattern that researchers believe may be contributing to the UK’s obesity crisis.