Fast Food Consumption Research Articles

The Dynamic Impacts of Public Perceptions of Fast-Food Products with Nutrition Facts on Fast-Food Consumption

Although most American eat at a fast-food restaurant 1 to 3 times a week, they would realize that fast food consumption is highly associated with chronic diseases and generates negative impacts on their health. As fast-food consumers become more health-conscious, fast-food brands strive to build a more health-oriented image on their fast-food products. Thus, this study proposes a conceptual model that aims to examine direct and indirect impacts of consumers’ BMI, self-efficacy, perceived brand trust, and brand commitment on their fast-food consumption. An online survey using Amazon Mechanical Turk is conducted with a total of 484 female and 380 male participants included in the final analysis. Results show that the mediating effects of self-efficacy, brand trust in, and brand commitment with the fast-food product with nutrition facts are significantly generated on consumers’ fast-food consumption. Moreover, indirect effects are found on consumers’ fast-food consumption via the nexus of their self-efficacy, brand trust, and brand commitment. The study also offers practical insights into the impact of health-conscious consumers’ brand perceptions on their fast-food consumption.

Fast-Food Consumption and Asthma-Related Emergency Room Visits in California

Introduction Asthma is common, affecting up to 8% of adults in the United States. Several studies have shown an association between poorer diet and asthma. Despite the prevalence of fast-food consumption in the Western diet, research examining fast food consumption and asthma is limited. Objective This study aimed to examine the association between fast food consumption and asthma-related emergency room visits among adults with asthma in California from 2011-2016. Methods This cross-sectional study focused on 11,561 adults with asthma in California. Publicly available data from the California Health Interview Survey was used. The independent variable included fast food consumption, and the dependent variable was emergency room visits due to asthma. This study used logistic regression models and controlled for sex, race, self-reported overall health, BMI, and current smoking status. Survey weights were applied to ensure the analysis represented the general population. Results Consumption of fast food ≥3 times per week was associated with increased odds of emergency room visits for asthma among adults with asthma in California (unadjusted model: OR = 1.64 CI: 1.13-2.40, p = 0.01; adjusted model: ORadj =1.53, CI: 1.03-2.26, p = 0.03). Conclusion Our findings suggest that high consumption of fast food among adults with asthma may result in higher odds of asthma-related emergency room visits. Thus, decreasing fast food consumption may benefit adults with asthma by reducing emergency room visits.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis of Body Weight Variations and Their Implications for Daily Habits

Assessing changes in lifestyle, dietary habits, eating behaviors, and stress during the pandemic and their impact on weight is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study investigated weight variations among Brazilians and associated habit changes over nine months during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was applied (T0/T1, T2). Weight variation classifications were determined from T0 to T1 and evaluated longitudinally for changes in lifestyle, dietary habits, food consumption, eating behavior, and perceived stress using generalized estimating equations (p < 0.05). Out of 453 participants, 23.6% lost weight, 18.1% maintained their weight, 26.0% gained up to 2.4 kg, and 32.2% gained ≥2.5 kg. Weight loss was associated with decreased food consumption and increased stress at T2. The group that gained up to 2.4 kg reported reduced food intake, snacking, meal preparation, and candy consumption but increased stress at T2. Those gaining ≥2.5 kg initially increased food consumption, snacking, meal preparation, hamburgers/canned products, sugary drinks, instant meals/snacks, candies, and fast food consumption at T1, all of which were reduced at T2, along with a decrease in uncontrolled and emotional eating. Although the pandemic initially affected daily habits differently based on weight changes, participants—especially those who gained more weight—tended to revert to pre-pandemic habits.

The potential of autonomous delivery services to increase fast food consumption.

Technological innovations in the online food delivery sector include the use of autonomous delivery vehicles. The aim of the present study was to investigate consumers' intentions to use these services once they are widely available and their motivations for using them to access unhealthy food. Online survey including a vignette describing a future world where autonomous food deliveries are in common use in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Australia. 1078 Australians aged 18 years and older, nationally representative by sex, age, and location (metropolitan versus non-metropolitan residence). Around half of the sample reported intending to use an autonomous food delivery service at least once per week for fast food (53%) and/or healthy pre-prepared food (50%). Almost two-thirds (60%) intended using autonomous vehicle deliveries to receive groceries. Around one in five (17%) anticipated an increase in their fast food intake as a result of access to autonomous delivery services compared to one in two (46%) expecting others' total fast food intake to increase. The most common reason provided for using autonomous food deliveries was increased convenience. More frequent current fast food ordering, higher socioeconomic status, younger age, and regional location were significantly associated with an anticipated increase in fast food consumption. The emergence of autonomous food delivery systems may bring both benefits and adverse consequences that in combination are likely to constitute a substantial regulatory challenge. Proactive efforts will be required to avoid negative public health nutrition outcomes of this transport evolution.

The Impact of Calories Information Displayed on Menus on Fast Food Consumption Among Teachers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Impact of Calories Information Displayed on Menus on Fast Food Consumption Among Teachers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension Among Urban School Teachers in Patna, India

Background: Hypertension, a major cause of cardiovascular disease, is increasingly common among urban professionals, including school teachers, who face unique stressors and lifestyle challenges. Understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted health interventions. This study aims to determine the prevalence and key determinants of hypertension among government school teachers in Patna. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2021 to October 2022 with 1321 teachers from 325 urban schools in Patna. The sample size was calculated based on a 45.4% estimated hypertension prevalence, with a 3% margin of error and 20% non-response rate. Teachers were selected using stratified sampling with probability proportional to size. Results: Of the 1283 respondents, 61.34% were male and 38.66% female. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 14.1%, higher in males (15.5%) than females (11.9%). Hypertension was significantly associated with frequent fast-food consumption, extra salt intake, tobacco use, stress, and higher BMI (p<0.05), though not with age, gender, physical activity, or depression. Conclusions: Improving dietary habits, reducing tobacco use, and managing BMI among teachers can significantly reduce hypertension. Healthier teachers create a better teaching environment, positively impacting student learning outcomes and enhancing the overall educational experience.

Socioeconomic mobility, metabolic health, and diet: mediation via subjective socioeconomic status.

Socioeconomic mobility, i.e., changing socioeconomic status (SES) between adolescence and adulthood, may impact health through changing resources, social status, and health-related behaviors. This analysis examined whether subjective SES contributes to associations of mobility with metabolic health (BMIand metabolic syndrome) and unhealthy diets (fast-food consumptionand sugar-sweetened beverage [SSB] consumption). National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data were used (n = 4132). Mobility was defined as the difference between adolescent (collected 1994-1995, ages 11-19 years) and adult (collected 2016-2018, ages 33-43 years) SES. Linear and logistic regressions examined associations of mobility with metabolic and dietary outcomes and mediation by subjective SES. Substantial upward mobility was associated with lower risk of high SSB consumption compared with stable disadvantaged SES (risk difference: -0.10 [95% CI: -0.16 to -0.041]). Subjective SES mediated associations of upward, but not downward, mobility with risks of developing metabolic syndrome, high fast-food consumption, and high SSB consumption; upward mobility was associated with higher subjective SES and lower risks of poor metabolic and dietary outcomes. The finding that subjective SES contributed to associations between upward mobility and better health may inform development of interventions designed to promote healthier diets and reduce socioeconomic disparities in metabolic health.

Fast-food consumption among Indian adolescents and associated factors

Fast food consumption is on a rise among adolescence in India and this age group is also facing the double burden of malnutrition. Fast foods are an unhealthy food choice and are associated with increasing obesity and related non -communicable diseases at a young age. India has the largest adolescent population and the health and nutrition issues of this group need to be addressed. Ironically children and teenagers who require more healthy nutritious food constitutes the largest population preferring fast foods. There is need to gain a clear insight on the issue in Indian context therefore the current paper was undertaken to study the scale of the problem, along with factors contributing to rising fast-food consumption among adolescent in India. The review primarily focused on existing Indian studies pertaining to the issue. Available studies report high prevalence of fast-food consumption and lower than recommended consumption of fruits, green leafy vegetables and dairy products which is likely to result in higher calorie consumption and lesser intake of protein, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and phytochemicals in respondents. Both urban and rural adolescence show rising trends of fast-food consumption. It is higher among the urban counterparts. Studies establishing association between overweight/obesity and junk food/fast food consumption in this age group could be sighted. Studies reported taste, affordability, availability, advertising and marketing, parental influence, nuclear families and working mothers, peer pressure and meal skipping to be the contributory associated factors.

Ending the obesity epidemic: multidimensional challenges and effectiveness analysis of increasing taxes on fast food

With the continuous development of society, fast food has become a daily choice in modern society due to its high convenience. However, its high-calorie, high-sugar, high-fat, and low-nutrient characteristics significantly increase the risk of obesity. According to statistics, over 2.5 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and fast food consumption is recognized as an important factor driving the rise in obesity rates. This article delves into the multidimensional impact of fast food consumption on the global obesity rate and the effectiveness and challenges of controlling obesity through increasing fast food taxes. These policies face many difficulties in implementation, such as economic penalties that make it challenging to change consumption habits completely and may exacerbate the burden on low-income groups. In addition, Denmark’s saturated fat tax practice has shown that although tax policies can bring specific results, they have also caused problems such as increased unemployment and cross-border shopping. The article points out that relying solely on raising taxes is challenging to solve the problem of obesity, and multiple factors need to be considered comprehensively. The convenience, addiction, and extensive advertising coverage of fast food make it difficult for consumers, predominantly low-income and adolescent groups, to resist its temptation. Therefore, the government, businesses, and consumers need to work together to address the challenge of obesity through comprehensive measures such as strengthening health education, promoting healthy eating habits, and improving food production and processing technologies. This article also emphasizes that although tax increase measures can, to some extent, guide consumers to reduce their fast food intake, their effectiveness is limited and may lead to social and economic inequality issues. In the future, more innovative and comprehensive strategies should be explored to address the global obesity epidemic effectively.

Lifestyle habits and openness to alternative tobacco products: insights from the Minerva Project

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested that the use of alternative tobacco products (ATPs) is a significant predictor of cigarette smoking, particularly among young individuals. The present study evaluates the association between dietary patterns, specifically junk food consumption, and the willingness to try ATPs among non-smokers. Methods MINERVA (My changINg lifEstyles, our Research, and eVeryone’s heAlth) is an ongoing prospective international cohort study primarily focused on investigating the link between smoking habits and the dietary and lifestyle habits of participants. Subjects are given a web-based survey to report socio-demographic characteristics, dietary and lifestyle habits, smoking habits, and attitudes towards ATPs. This analysis concentrates on respondents from Italy who do not smoke traditional tobacco products. Results The survey included 7,535 respondents from Italy; of these, 40% (2,992 subjects) were non-smokers. Among the non-smokers, 219 (7%) were identified as fast-food consumers (defined as consuming fast-food at least once a week). Fast-food consumers were significantly more likely to consume junk food as snacks (87% vs. 62%) and were less likely to report daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Notably, fast-food consumers were 2.5 times more likely to be willing to try ATPs compared to those who do not consume junk food (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.55, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.68-3.88). Conclusions Junk food consumption has been identified as being associated with an increased willingness to use ATPs among non-smokers. This finding is significant from a public health standpoint, highlighting the crucial influence of unhealthy eating habits in fostering an interest in ATP use. Key messages • The Minerva study evaluates the association between dietary patterns, specifically junk food consumption, and the willingness to try alternative tobacco products among non-smokers. • The study underscores the public health importance of addressing dietary patterns alongside smoking habits.

Smartphone addiction among medical students in the University of Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract Background Smartphone addiction is a global mental health issue with diverse psychological and socioeconomic concerns. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its associated factors among medical students in the university of Monastir, Tunisia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among medical students of the faculty of medicine of Monastir in October 2020. The data were collected through a self-administered anonymous questionnaire that included the SAS-SV scale to assess smartphone addiction levels. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify associated factors. The threshold of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 626 medical students participated in this study, with an average age of 21.76 ± 3.12 years and a sex ratio of 0.41. The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 30.2% (95% CI: 26.0% - 33.79%). Associated factors with smartphone addiction included academic repetition(OR = 4.30; 95% CI [1.38 - 13.42]), fast food consumption scores (OR = 1.55; 95% CI [1.21 - 2.00]),addiction to the Facebook social network (OR = 6.36; 95% CI [1.92 - 21.07]), cohabitation with colleagues (OR = 2.13; 95% CI [1.03- 4.43]), cohabitation with family members(OR = 2.10; 95% CI [1.01 - 4.36]) and stress level (OR = 1.13; 95% CI [1.07 - 1.18]). Conclusions This study identified associations between smartphone overuse and other behavioral and mental health indicators. Based on these findings, several interventions should be undertaken to address this growing concern. Key messages • The prevalence of smartphone addiction among medical students in the University of Monastir was 30.2% (95% CI: 26.0% – 33.79%). • The main associated factors with smartphone addiction were academic repetition, fast food consumption, addiction to Facebook, cohabitation with colleagues and with family members and stress level.

Secular trends in blood pressure among university students in Japan over the last two decades.

High blood pressure (BP) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, not only among middle-aged and older adults, but also in young adults. Early interventions for high BP may prevent future organ damage. Therefore, it is essential to monitor BP trends in young adults to support this approach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend of increasing BP was observed worldwide. However, young adults have not been fully evaluated. Therefore, this study examined BP trends among university students (n = 106,691) over two decades, every 5 years from 2003 to 2023, including the period before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2003 to 2018, there were no notable changes in BP. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, increased BP was observed in both men and women, with systolic BP increasing from 118.1 (SD, 14.2) mmHg in 2018 to 120.6 (SD, 12.5) mmHg in 2023 among men, and from 104.6 (SD, 11.8) mmHg to 105.1 (SD, 11.7) mmHg among women. These trends were particularly pronounced among students with normal and underweight somatotypes and among first- and second-year students. The results of the lifestyle survey showed a decrease in smoking and drinking habits, insufficient sleep, mental stress, consumption of fast food and snacks, and an increase in exercise habits. Although contributing factors to the recent increase in BP were not identified, there was an upward trend in BP among Japanese university students. It is important to carefully observe how BP trends change over the long term following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trends in Nutritional Status and Dietary Behavior in School-Aged Children with Congenital Heart Defects.

Background: Malnutrition and poor weight gain has been reported in infants with congenital heart defects (CHDs); however data in older children with CHDs are limited. In order to obtain representative data on the nutritional status, dietary behavior, and potential influencing factors in school-aged children with CHDs, we performed a nationwide online survey. Methods: Patients aged 6 to 17 years registered in the German National Register for CHDs were asked to participate in this study by completing the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) eating study questionnaire in order to assess their self-reported dietary habits. The use of the same questionnaire enabled a comparison with a representative subset of 4569 participants of the KiGGS study. Results: A total of 894 patients (mean age 12.5 ± 3.0 years; 47.2% female) were enrolled. Patients were allocated according to anatomic complexity into simple (23.8%), moderate (37.8%), and complex CHDs (38.4%). The consumption of sugar-containing food (p < 0.001) and fast food (p < 0.05) was significantly lower among the CHD patients than in the healthy children. Children with CHDs showed significantly lower body mass index (BMI) percentiles (p < 0.001) compared with their healthy peers, while children with complex and moderate CHDs had the lowest BMI. While in CHD patients, the BMI percentiles were not related to unhealthy food, there was a strong correlation with the CHD severity and number of previous interventions (p < 0.01). Conclusions: According to this nationwide survey, school-aged children with complex CHD are at risk of undernutrition, which is not due to dietary habits but to CHD severity and repeated surgery.

HUBUNGAN POLA KONSUMSI MAKANAN CEPAT SAJI DENGAN STATUS GIZI PADA REMAJA DI SMP N 1 NGAWEN

Data from RISKESDAS 2018 Indonesian adolescents aged 15-20 years, found that adolescents consume instant noodles or other instant foods with a prevalence of more than 1 time per day 11.2%, more than 1 to 6 times per week 67.6%, and less than 3 times per month 21.2%. This can cause health problems Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship of fast food consumption patterns with nutritional status in adolescents at SMP N 1 Ngawen. Research method: This research is a type of quantitative correlation. With a cross sectional approach. Sampling using simple random sampling obtained 89 respondents. The instrument used ffq questionnaire and tools using scales and microtoice. Data were analysed using spearman rank. Results: Characteristics of respondents in this study the majority of 14 years (36.0%), female gender 44 (49.4%), male 45 (50.6%), the majority of patterns 45 (50.6%) and consumption of the majority of nutritional status 57 (64.0%). Spearman rank results obtained a value of 0.772 (&gt; 0.05). Conclusion: There is no relationship between fast food consumption patterns and nutritional status in adolescents at SMP N 1 Ngawen.

The Role of Family Members on Decision Making Related to Fast Food

When it comes to consumer behavior, the impact that family members have on choices surrounding the consumption of fast food is a significant factor that plays a vital role. An investigation of the ways in which the dynamics of families influence preferences, choices, and consumption patterns within the fast-food sector is presented in this paper. The purpose of this study is to expose the complex web of decision-making processes that occur inside families by analyzing the roles and dynamics that exist within families, such as parental authority, sibling influence, and preferences that are passed down from generation to generation. In addition, it investigates the role that family norms, beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds have on the decisions that people make about fast food, offering insight on the ways in which these elements jointly affect consumer behavior. For marketers and politicians who want to encourage healthy eating habits and address social problems connected to nutrition and health within family groups, it is essential to have a solid understanding of these interactions.

Healthy eating behaviors and food consumption frequencies of retail workers.

Retail workers comprise millions of people, but little is known about their eating behaviors and food consumption patterns. To examine the healthy eating behaviors and food consumption frequencies of retail workers in shopping malls. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 385 retail employees working in ready-made garment stores of shopping malls in Istanbul (42% of those eligible). A descriptive information form, the nutrition subscale of the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), and the Food Consumption Frequency Survey were used as data collection tools. It was determined that more than half of the participants skipped breakfast and other meals and consumed fast food and packaged and acidic drinks five to six days a week. The mean score of the participants on the HPLP-nutrition subscale was determined to be 11.79±3.29. The retail workers in shopping malls were found to have insufficient healthy eating behaviors, a low frequency of healthy food consumption, and a high level of fast-food consumption. Maintaining healthy eating habits is crucial for the health of employees. It is necessary for workplaces to take steps to help their employees become aware of and practice healthy eating. Workplaces should also be encouraged to provide healthy food options for their employees.

Does college selectivity reduce obesity? A partial identification approach.

We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to investigate whether the quality of tertiary education -measured by college selectivity-causally affects obesity prevalence in the medium run (by age 24-34) and in the longer run (about 10years later). We use partial identification methods, which allow us, while relying on weak assumptions, to overcome the potential endogeneity of college selectivity as well as the potential violation of the stable unit treatment value assumption due to students interacting with each other, and to obtain informative identification regions for the average treatment effect of college selectivity on obesity. We find that attending a more selective college causally reduces obesity, both in the medium and in the longer run. We provide evidence that the mechanisms through which the impact of college selectivity on obesity operates include an increase in income, a reduction in physical inactivity and in the consumption of fast food and sweetened drinks.

Mediation of risk factors for high blood pressure in four racial and ethnic populations.

This study evaluated the extent to which body mass index (BMI) mediates associations between risk factors and incident high blood pressure in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) and Hispanics. There were 7,793 participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health: 312 AI/ANs, 1,091 Hispanics, 1,567 NHBs and 4,823 NHWs. Risk factors for high blood pressure included adolescent BMI, TV watching, fast-food consumption, smoking, parental obesity, parental educational attainment and financial instability. Relative risk regression models stratified by race/ethnicity were used to examine associations between risk factors and incident high blood pressure. Path analysis was used to assess mediation by BMI. Female sex was a protective factor against high blood pressure, and higher BMI was a risk factor in all populations. Smoking increased high blood pressure risk in AI/ANs (Incident Rate Ratio [IRR]: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.27), but not in other groups. BMI partially mediated the effect of parental obesity on high blood pressure in NHWs and completely mediated the effect of parental obesity in NHBs. In AI/ANs and Hispanics, BMI did not mediate the relationship between incident high blood pressure and any risk factor. This study assessed the extent to which BMI mediates risk factors for high blood pressure in four populations, and showed important differences across populations. Further research is needed to improve knowledge about relationships between BMI, risk factors and incident high blood pressure, and their potential variability by race/ethnicity.

Consuming Habits Fast Food and the incidence of obesity in elementary school students

Obesity has become a global pandemic throughout the world and is declared the largest chronic health problem, making it a major public health problem, including for school-aged children. The aim of this research is to identify the relationship between consumption fast food and the incidence of obesity in elementary school students. Design approach cross-sectional with a student population in one of the elementary schools in Manado City. The number of respondents was 162 people with the criteria being aged 6 years and over and having consent from their parents, taken using techniques quota sampling. Fast food consumption data was collected using a paper-based questionnaire, while the incidence of obesity was measured by BMI. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test with significance values p ≤ 0.005. The research results showed a significant relationship between consumption frequency fast food with the incidence of obesity in students (p &lt; 0.001). It is recommended for schools to provide school canteens that comply with health standards and for parents to prepare a healthy breakfast for children

Nutrition literacy and eating habits in children from food-secure versus food-insecure households: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to explore whether maternal food and nutrition literacy (FNL) can mitigate negative effects of food insecurity on children's eating habits and assist food-insecure households in making better nutrition choices with limited resources available. A cross-sectional study was conducted on children aged 6 to 12 years and their mothers. FNL was assessed using a validated Food and Nutrition Literacy Assessment Tool, and household food security was evaluated with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Eating habits were measured through a structured questionnaire that focused on various dietary habits. Logistic regression was used to determine the associations between maternal FNL, food insecurity status, and children's eating habits. A total of 327 children-mothers, comprising 159 food-secure and 168 food-insecure households, were evaluated. Maternal FNL was inversely associated with consumption of fast-foods and fried foods, and skipping breakfast in both food-secure and food-insecure participants. However, only food-secure participants showed an inverse association between FNL and the habit of eating out. Both groups indicated lower sweet consumption associated with higher FNL. Maternal FNL was inversely associated with lower dairy and nut intake in food-secure group and lower fruit and vegetable consumption in food-insecure participants. This study suggests that in conditions of food insecurity FNL may reduce the negative impact of food insecurity on children's nutrition choices and food habits.