This paper compares the health consequences of fast-food consumption in the United States and China. Drawing on national surveillance, cohort studies, and experimental evidence, it first summarizes exposure patterns and trends, then reviews mechanisms—energy density, processing, and glycemic responses—that plausibly link fast food to excess energy intake and weight gain. The analysis highlights similarities in routine exposure across both countries alongside important contextual differences in retail environments, pricing, urbanization, and policy. Evidence from controlled feeding trials and prospective cohorts indicates that frequent fast-food intake contributes to positive energy balance, weight gain, and higher metabolic risk. Built-environment studies suggest that proximity and outlet density shape purchasing, especially near schools and high-traffic areas; socioeconomic factors and time constraints further condition who is most exposed. Policy implications include pairing upstream controls on exposure (e.g., zoning and school standards) with information and default changes (e.g., menu labeling, portion and combo redesign), supported by ongoing monitoring of dietary exposure and health outcomes. Overall, the review concludes that multi-level strategies—targeting process, place, and price—are more likely to reduce obesity and diabetes risks than single interventions, and that effective approaches will differ somewhat between the United States and China due to their distinct food systems.

Zhoutong Zheng. A Comparison of the Health Consequences of Fast Food Consumption in The United States and China. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 1: 57-61. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2026.090109.

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