Definition
Andrew F. Smith, in his book, Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food defines junk food as "those commercial products, including candy, bakery goods, ice cream, salty snacks, and soft drinks, which have little or no nutritional value but do have plenty of calories, salt, and fats. While not all fast foods are junk foods, most are. Fast foods are ready-to-eat foods served promptly after ordering. Some fast foods are high in calories and low in nutritional value, while other fast foods, such as salads, may be low in calories and high in nutritional value.
Popularity
Junk food in its various forms is extremely popular, and an integral part of modern popular culture. In the US, annual fast food sales are in the area of $160 billion, compared to supermarket sales of $620 billion (a figure which also includes junk food in the form of convenience foods, snack foods, and candy).
Behavior problems
4000 children of the age of four and a half were given a variety of 57 junk foods. Then, two and a half years later, the 4000 children were given the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Advertising restriction
the American Psychological Association reports: "Research has found strong associations between increases in advertising for non-nutritious foods and rates of childhood obesity." In the UK, efforts to increasingly limit or eliminate advertising of foods high in sugar.
Taxation
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Anand Grover, released his report, "Unhealthy foods, non-communicable diseases and the right to health,” and called for governments to "take measures, such as developing food and nutrition guidelines for healthy diets.
Health effects
carbohydrates, and processed sugar found in junk food contributes to an increased risk of Obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weight gain, and many other chronic health conditions.
