For millions of adults and children junk food and increased inactivity has led to obesity. For some people junk food has become a way of life, they are addicted to it and if everyone in your family for example eats junk food then it is very hard to eat healthy. But it is not impossible at all. So why junk food is bad for you?

There is so much talk about junk food. People know that it is unhealthy and makes people fat but what is the exact definition of junk food. Well Junk food is an informal term applied to some foods with little or no nutritional value, or to products with nutritional value but which also have ingredients considered unhealthy when regularly eaten, or to those considered unhealthy to consume at all. The term was coined by Michael Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972.

Factors contributing to labeling as junk food are high levels of refined sugar, white flour, trans fat and saturated fat, salt, and additives such as preservatives and coloring agents. Others include lack of proteins, vitamins, fiber and other nutrients for a healthy diet. Junk food is associated with health problems including obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and dental cavities. Problems with fast food may not be apparent to children, hence advertising aimed at children has come under criticism.

Whole foods are the best nourishment for you. Make sure before you buy any foods, that you check the labels and ingredients. Even though the food label may say that it is low fat or reduced sugar, it still may not be healthier for you as some food companies add unhealthy ingredients to these foods to compensate for the low fat or sugar reduction in them. When you buy bread, make sure that the label says "whole wheat flour" and not just "wheat flour" as it is not whole grain. Also, when you do eat out at a restaurant, you should ask what the fat and calorie content of the meals are and that way, you will not be consuming extra calories and fat needlessly.

Good eating habits also emphasize proper mealtimes instead of haphazard eating patterns. Snacking between meals on junk food like potato chips is one habit that can have a bad effect on teeth health. Many people including teens are addicted to consuming junk snacks and guzzling sugared soft drink that are basically empty calories. This has disastrous consequences for teeth health. It is estimated that the high sugar content of many junk food washes away protective teeth enamel, thus rendering them vulnerable to corrosive cavities. It is imperative, therefore, to completely shun fast food that corrodes teeth health and ushers in tooth decay.

There is no magic pill that makes you lose weight and makes you look like a supreme athlete. You have to do it the hard way. It is very hard for people to change their lifestyle. But to be healthy and lose weight you have to change your lifestyle. It is the only way.

It is not impossible to change your habits and start living a healthier life. The most important factor about it all is knowledge. If you have the knowledge and you know what you have to do to be successful, then you have done most of the work already.

It is never to late to change your lifestyle. If you have the desire and motivation then nothing will stop you. People just have to stop finding silly excuses. You know junk food is bad for you and if you don´t exercise you will have serious problems. Today could be the first day of the rest of your life. Make changes today not tomorrow. You will be surprised what you can actually accomplish.