Living Near Fast Food Restaurants Increases Chance Of Stroke
Seattle – Studies link increase stroke episodes to the number of fast food restaurants located within a defined area. Dr Lewis B. Morgenstern of the University of Michigan lead a team of researchers who after several years eventually identified 1,247 strokes that were caused by blood clots in the brain from January 2000 through June 2003. After an intense review, the team also found there seems to be a direct relationship to the number of episodes and the number of fast food restaurants within an area.
In Nueces County, Texas, the census used provided detailed information that documented within this same area, the existence of 262 fast food restaurants. After adjusting the data and establishing the relationship between the studies, Dr Morgenstern states the association seems to be guided towards a group’s socioeconomic status versus the demographics. There was a distinct correlation.
The connection directly links the number of strokes occurring at an alarming rate of 1 percent for every fast food restaurant within a specific area. Therefore, if you live in an area where there are more fast food restaurants, your chances of having a stroke are 13% higher than of those not residing close to fast food restaurants.
Fast foods have high sodium rates. Rates that generally have been found to be directly related to episodes of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and hypertension. The two are historically strong symptoms behind strokes and heart disease occurrences. Reports suggest that most fast food meals include amounts equal to or surpassing the total daily requirement and allowance of sodium.
In addition, Dr. Morgenstern stated, “What we don‘t know is whether fast food actually increased the risk because of its contents or whether fast food restaurants are a marker of unhealthy neighborhoods.“
Dr Morgenstern encourages those seeking to guard their health and maintain healthy eating standards restrict their area of residence to those with little access to fast food restaurants.
The research team cautions, the study could not and does not prove the association regarding stroke episodes as it is related to the amount consumed or ability versus decision to exercise.
Sources;
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/19/stroke.fast.food/
http://www.efitnessnow.com/news/2009/02/22/more-fast-food-joints-in-neighborhoods-mean-more-strokes/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/story?id=6914363&page=1