Examining the relationship between fast-food and sitdown restaurant consumption frequency and dietary patterns among adults in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: This study assessed the association between dietary patterns and the frequency of eating at fast-food or sit-down restaurants. Methods: A crosssectional study, with a sample of adults living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA), was conducted between January and March 2021. An online, self-administered survey was conducted using social media and WhatsApp. A total of 399 adults living in Riyadh were included; 40.4% were males, with a mean age of 35 and standard deviation (SD) of 12 years, and had no significant health problems. Results: Using principal component analysis to analyse 15 food groups based on the food items consumed, four dietary patterns were extracted: Western, unhealthy, plant-based, and healthy. After adjusting for potential covariates, a higher frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants was significantly associated with unhealthy dietary patterns [odds ratio (OR) = 4.85, 95.0% confidence interval (CI) = 1.80, 12.59]. In contrast, participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants showed lower odds of adhering to a healthy dietary pattern (OR = 0.29, 95.0% CI = 0.11, 0.71). No significant association was found between participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at sit-down restaurants and their dietary patterns. Conclusion: Frequently eating at fast-food restaurants was associated with increased odds of adherence to less healthy dietary patterns and negatively associated with adherence to a healthy pattern. No association was found between sit-down restaurants and any of the identified dietary patterns. The present findings can assist stakeholders and policymakers in developing strategic plans and policies for targeted interventions for this population.