Determinants of Fast Food Consumption Among Puerto Rican Adults Living in a Rural Community

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the association between fast food consumption, sociodemographic and health-related variables among adults living in a small rural community in Puerto Rico. Methods This study was cross-sectional. A researcher-designed questionnaire was distributed to every household in the community. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between fast food consumption (<1 or ≥1 time/week), and the following independent variables: age; gender; education; poverty level estimate; employment status; weight status; self-rated health; self-perceived diet quality; self-perceived weight status; currently trying to lose weight; fruit, non-starchy vegetables, starchy vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) intake; physical activity; and recreational screen time. Results A total of 195 adults aged ≥18 years participated in this study. Of these, 53.1% were female, 53.1% completed more than high school, 45.4% were employed, 28.7% were overweight and 32.3% were obese. Over one-third (34.9%) of participants reported consuming fast food ≥1 time/week. Eating fast food ≥1 time/week was associated with ages 35–49 years (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16–0.94) and ≥50 years (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03–0.32) as compared to being 18–34 years old; being unemployed/homemaker/disabled (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08–0.73) as compared to being employed; being obese (OR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.02–9.85) as compared to being under/normal weight; currently trying to lose weight (OR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.31–6.88) as compared to those not trying to lose weight; eating fewer than 1 cup of non-starchy vegetables daily (OR = 0.39 95% CI: 0.16–0.93) as compared to those who eat ≥1cup daily; and drinking SSB ≥1 times daily (OR = 3.80 95% CI: 1.50–9.60) as compared to those who drink SSB less than once daily in the adjusted model. Conclusions Fast food consumption was associated with older age, employment, obesity, trying to lose weight, and intake of non-starchy vegetables and SSB in our sample. Future research should examine the relationship between fast food consumption and diet quality among those living in rural communities, as previous research has shown that Puerto Ricans living in urban areas are undergoing a nutrition transition to lower quality diets. Funding Sources The authors received no financial support for this research.