by Nick Somoski

Created on: June 24, 2009   Last Updated: December 22, 2010

Can you name a food that's worse than fast food? When was the last time you went to McDonald's to get salmon with a side of mixed vegetables? You probably can't answer both of those questions, and I don't blame you. When you think of fast food, you think of burgers the way you want them, you think of golden french fries, you think of deep-fried chicken and soda pop. And when you think of all this, your mouth probably waters. Chances are, your mouth is watering right now.

You may be in line at your favorite fast food joint, waiting anxiously to pay for your food and eat it on the way home. You tell yourself that you won't make this a regular thing, that you're just making a quick "pit stop." Unfortunately, it hardly ends like that. Americans are addicted to fast food. Once you eat it, you can't stop. That's the problem. That's why fast food restaurants are responsible for the obesity epidemic that is sweeping American's into their cars.

Of course the food is addictive. How could you not know that? Anything unhealthy is addictive, isn't it? Alcohol, cigarettes, and fast food - all unhealthy, all additive. The sugars, the fat, the salt, the oils . . . it almost makes me sick just thinking about it. Every single ingredient that goes into preparing that all-delicious fast food is bad for your body. Those ingredients will make you overweight. Those ingredients are what is making today's population of children and adults obese. If only these restaurants could make their food healthier . . .

But the question comes up of whether it's the fast food restaurants' problem that our population is obese or if it's the fact that we just don't have enough will-power to overcome eating there. Where I live, there are fast food restaurants all around me. There are 3 McDonald's that are in walking distance of my home, as well as Burger Kings, Wendys, KFCs, White Castles, and more. Even I have to admit that it can sometimes be a problem for me, as well as many others like me.

With fast food restaurants on every street and corner in today's United States, it's very, very difficult not to eat at one. If whenever we're feeling an urge for food, it's so easy just to go out and buy something at a McDonald's or Burger King because they're there. Whenever we need food, they're there. Fast food is cheap, affordable, and convenient, and that's a problem.

And how about those commercials? Just today my children were watching television and on came the new Dairy Queen commercial. Immediately

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