Fatty American Food Increasing Heart Disease Abroad

Well, this is not good: Apparently, America's fast-food exportation is not only getting people in other countries hooked on the monstrosities of bacon burgers and fries, but it's also increasing their risk of heart disease.

A new study from the journal Circulation reports that there is a correlation between Western fast-food consumption and heart disease in Singapore, while local fast foods like dumplings or noodles are not linked to heart disease.

"Many cultures welcome [Western fast food] because it's a sign they're developing their economics," lead researcher Andrew Odegaard told Reuters. "But while it may be desirable from a cultural standpoint, from a health perspective there may be a cost."

According to the study, Chinese Singaporeans who ate Western fast food two or more times a week were 27 percent more likely to get diabetes, and 56 percent more likely to die from cardiac disease. And perhaps surprisingly, the subjects who ate more Western fast food actually tended to be younger, educated, physically active non-smokers.

Unfortunately, American fast-food companies won't be stopping their international expansion anytime soon. Dunkin' Donuts recently debuted in Guatemala and India, while Wetzel's Pretzels popped up in Japan. And for mega-American fast-food company McDonald's? The brand hopes to up their Asia store count to 2,000 by 2013. On behalf of American greed, we apologize.