Fast Food Chains in US Hospitals
Fast Food Chains in US Hospitals – Hospitals should promote healthy eating but as many as 43 US hospitals have fast food chains on their premises, and some like McDonald’s can even deliver Big Macs and French fries to your hospital bed!
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) recently looked into this issue, and found that of the 208 hospitals it surveyed, most of which are public hospitals, 43 of them house fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Chick-Fil-A on their premises, and even share in their profits. Six of these hospitals were children’s hospitals.
According to a dietitian at PCRM, the fast-food restaurants are bound by contract to share their profits with the hospitals, “meaning the more unhealthful food the restaurant sells to patients and their families, the richer the hospital gets.” The fact that many of these are public hospitals treating underserved patients and children makes it even worse.
Studies have shown that meaty and cheesy foods are loaded in calories and saturated fat, and can only increase any health issues people may have, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Studies have also shown that chicken samples from Chick-fil-A and other fast-food chains contain PhIP, a carcinogen linked to breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
According to experts, hospitals can play a critical role in public health and do a better job of serving their communities by removing fast-food chains from their premises, and encouraging consumption of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes.
Category: News
