Frequent Fast Food Research Articles

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 health behaviors differences among male and female school-age adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa region countries: a meta-analysis of the Global School-based Student Health Survey data.

Understanding gender disparities in adolescent health behaviors is crucial for developing targeted health promotion strategies. This study uses data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) across 17 MENA countries to analyze gender differences in adolescent health behaviors, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview for both boys and girls. This meta-analysis incorporates data from recent years of the GSHS, covering 17 MENA countries. The objective was to assess and compare health behaviors between adolescent girls and boys. A random-effects model was employed to calculate odds ratios for gender comparisons in these behaviors. Statistical analyses and modeling were performed using JAMOVI software. In most MENA countries, boys consumed more vegetables compared to girls. Girls were less likely to frequent fast food establishments (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69-0.98) and generally exhibited better self-care behaviors. Boys reported a higher prevalence of physical altercations (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.88-2.51) and were more involved in fights (OR = 3.00, 95% CI: 2.46-3.67). Girls were more likely to miss school without permission and were consistently described as kinder and more helpful across various income levels. However, in some countries such as Oman and Tunisia, boys missed school more frequently. There were no significant gender differences in parental oversight of homework or knowledge of students' activities, but girls were reported to have stronger parental relationships and better parental understanding of their problems and free time, with exceptions in Morocco and the Palestinian Territory-Gaza. Boys were more likely to engage in smoking (OR = 3.57, 95% CI: 2.69-4.76) and other substance use. Conversely, girls reported higher levels of physical inactivity and loneliness, but also demonstrated greater kindness and helpfulness in school settings and stronger parental relationships. Policymakers in the MENA region should develop and implement gender-specific interventions targeting key areas such as hygiene practices, physical activity, and substance use. By focusing on these targeted strategies, they can address the distinct health behaviors and needs of both boys and girls. Effective interventions in these areas are crucial for improving overall health outcomes and promoting healthier lifestyles, thereby enhancing adolescent health and well-being across the region.

Prevalence of overweight/obesity, and associated factors among adolescents aged 12 ∼ 15 in Shandong Province, China: A cross-sectional study

Overweight/obesity among adolescents in Shandong Province, China, has been rising, posing significant public health challenge. Comprehensive investigation is needed to develop effective interventions. Following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines, a stratified random cluster sampling approach was used from September to October 2023 across 17 cities in Shandong Province. The study included 165 middle schools, surveying 99,638 students aged 12 ∼ 15. After applying exclusion criteria, 97,356 students (97.71% effective rate) completed anthropometric measurements and questionnaires. Overweight/obesity were assessed based on national and international standards. Univariable chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze factors influencing overweight/obesity. In 2023, the overweight/obesity rate among 12 ∼ 15-year-olds in Shandong was 19.75%. Significant factors included sex, age, residence, family income, parental weight status and activity, mother’s gestational diabetes history, birth weight, physical activity, sleep, screen time, homework, and diet. Girls, older adolescents, and those with physically active parents or who themselves engaged in over 1.5 hours of daily physical activity had lower odds of being overweight/obese. Adequate sleep and frequent consumption of vegetable and fruit were also protective. Higher odds were associated with urban residence, high family income, overweight/obese parents, maternal gestational diabetes, high birth weight, excessive screen time, extensive homework, and frequent fast food consumption. Overweight/obesity in Shandong adolescents is influenced by multiple determinants. Holistic interventions addressing genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors are essential for promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the prevalence in this demographic.

A Latent Class Analysis of Family Eating Behaviors and Home Environment Habits on Preschool-Aged Children's Body Mass Index.

Background: The etiology of obesity is multifaceted, with multiple risk factors occurring during early childhood (e.g., fast food frequency, eating dinner as a family, TV in the bedroom). Many past studies have largely considered obesity risk factors in isolation, when in reality, the risk factors likely cluster together. A latent class analysis can be used to identify patterns in child eating behaviors, parent feeding behaviors, and household habits among preschool-aged children and their families to identify distinct, heterogenous classes and to determine if classes are associated with overweight and obesity. Methods: We used data from a community-based study of 624 three- to five-year-old children and a parent in New Hampshire, from March 2014 to October 2015. Parent-reported data were used to determine frequency of eating behaviors and household habits. Height and weight were objectively measured. Results: Four classes were identified; Class 1: "Healthy/Mildly accommodating," Class 2: "Healthy/Accommodating," Class 3: "Moderately healthy/Moderately accommodating," and Class 4: "Least healthy/Least accommodating." Compared with Class 1, children in Class 4 had increased odds of being overweight or obese [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-2.15], whereas Classes 2 and 3 were not associated with BMI (Class 2: aOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.62-1.86; Class 3: aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.81-1.81). Conclusion: Study findings highlight that child-parent interactions around meals differentially relate to children's weight status given the context of children's eating habits. Most important, our study findings confirm the importance of adapting multiple healthy habits within the home social and physical environment to offset obesity risk in young children.

Exploring the Multifaceted Influences on Childhood Nutritional Status: A Study Conducted in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Introduction The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in Pakistan is a rising concern affecting school-going children, marked by coexisting under- and over-nutrition within the same population. Key influences include shifts in dietary habits, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanization. With a focus on Multan, Pakistan, the study seeks to assess the proportion of underweight and overweight students while identifying the risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics associated with this incidence. The aim is to guide future health interventions addressing this multidimensional health challenge. Materials and methods This study, adopting a descriptive cross-sectional research design, collected data from female teenage students through interviews and anthropometric measurements. A total of 300 participants were randomly selected from a comprehensive school list representing diverse urban and rural settings. Participants' weight and height were measured to calculate their body mass index (BMI), categorizing them into underweight, normal weight, and overweight groups. The relevant risk factors were collected through an interview questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), with the results stratified according to socioeconomic, dietary, and psychosocial factors and compared across different weight categories. Results The study collected data from 300 students, revealing a correlation between socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and BMI. Parental occupation significantly affected nutritional status, with children of laborers primarily falling within normal and underweight categories. Dietary habits like frequency of fast food and milk or dairy consumption showed notable associations with nutritional status. Psychosocial factors such as peer or teacher comments about weight and outdoor sports participation also influenced the students' nutritional status. However, factors like family income, video game hours, and the presence of pets at home did not show significant associations with nutritional status. Conclusions The study illustrates a multi-faceted association between socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and BMI among schoolchildren in Multan, Pakistan, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions.

The Effect of Childhood Nutritional Status Changes with Pre-Diabetes And Diabetes Risk among Adolescents: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The first 1000 days of life and before the age of five years is a critical period of nutritional opportunity and vulnerabilitya. Only few have studies that trace individuals from childhood to adolescence examined the influence of childhood undernutrition on diabetes risk. This research was a retrospective cohort study using secondary data from IFLS (Indonesian Family Life Survey) involving 373 adolescents at IFLS-5 (2014) that folllowed at IFLS-3 (2000) and at IFLS-2 (1997). The effect of childhood undernutrition on the risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes in adolescents was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. The results of this study showed that the prevalence of pre-diabetes was 12.6% and diabetes was 15.0%. The risk factor for pre-diabetes is frequent consumption of fast food (aOR=4.38). Meanwhile, recovering from stunting was a protective factor in adolescents (aOR=0.05). Risk factors for diabetes were stunting (aOR=2.71), deteriorated nutritional status during childhood (aOR=3.85), experienced wasting during childhood (aOR=3.55), and frequent fast food consumption (aOR=3.11). Meanwhile, vegetable consumption was a protective factor of diabetes (aOR=0.37). In conclusion, this study showed that childhood undernutrition on the risk of diabetes. Improvement point is through nutrition programs in childhood and adolescence.

Hubungan Asupan Gizi dari Makanan Cepat Saji, Aktivitas Fisik dan Tingkat Stres dengan Kejadian Gizi Lebih pada Remaja

Overnutrition status is an accumulation of excess fat that accumulates in the body, causing various health problems such as non-communicable diseases. Adolescents who experience excess nutrition have a 70% risk of experiencing overweight or obesity as adults. This study aims to determine the relationship between intake of nutrients from fast food, physical activity and stress levels with the incidence of overweight in adolescents at SMK Muhammadiyah 9 Jakarta in 2022. This study used an observational analytic study design and a cross sectional approach. This research was conducted on 96 adolescents in class X and XI at SMK Muhammadiyah 9 Jakarta. Data on fast food nutrient intake was obtained by filling out the SQ-FFQ form through interviews, physical activity data was obtained by filling out the PAQ-A questionnaire independently, and stress level data was obtained by filling out the DASS-14 questionnaire independently, and data on excess nutrition was obtained through Anthropometric measurements are then interpreted into a BMI/U z – score. Total respondents in this study were 96 people. The proportion of adolescents who experienced excess nutrition was 68.8%. Based on the results of data analysis, the results showed that there was a significant relationship between the type of fast food (p value = 0.000), the frequency of fast food (p value = 0.000), the amount of fast food nutrients, energy and fat (p value = 0.000), physical activity (p value = 0.000) and stress levels (p value = 0.000) with the incidence of overweight in adolescents at SMK Muhammadiyah 9 Jakarta.Keywords: Nutrient Intake, Fast Food, Physical Activity, Stress Level, Over nutrition

FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN KONSUMSI FAST FOOD PADA MURID SMA BUDHI WARMAN 1 JAKARTA TIMUR

Fast Food is a type of practical food that contains high levels of fat, sodium, sugar, and energy. However, it’s low in vitamins and fiber. The aim of research is to determine the factors associated with fast food consumption among students at SMA Budhi Warman 1 East Jakarta in 2023. The research location at Budhi Warman 1 High School, East Jakarta. The research time in August 2023. This research is a quantitative study with a cross sectional research design. The research population is 180 students with a total sample of 137 samples. The sampling technique uses stratified random sampling. Sources and types of primary and secondary data. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate with the chi square test. Univariate results: frequent fast food frequency 65%, lack of nutritional knowledge 62,8%, peer influence 62,8%, negative attitude 70,1%. Meanwhile, the bivariate results showed that there was a relationship between nutritional knowledge, peer influence, and attitudes towards fast food consumption (p value <0,001). This research recommends that can better understand about snacks and healthy foods that are good for consumption.

Hubungan Tingkat Stres, Kebiasaan Konsumsi Fast Food dengan Status Gizi pada Remaja

Background: One of the main health indicators of a country is nutritional status. There are various factors that can influence nutritional status, one of which is stress levels and fastfood consumption habits, excessive stress levels and consuming fast food too often will have an impact on changes in a person's nutritional status, which will then pose a risk of health problems in the future. Objective: To determine the relationship between stress levels, fast food consumption habits and nutritional status of adolescents at SMAN 1 Kalasan Yogyakarta. Methods: This research uses a cross-sectional design, with a proportional random sampling technique, the number of research respondents was 77 respondents. Weight and height measurement data is carried out directly to determine nutritional status (BMI/U), stress levels were measured using the DASS questionnaire, fast food consumption habits using the fastfood consumption habit questionnaire form. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate tests with the Chi-Square test. Results: There were 57,1% of adolescents with normal nutritional status, 51,9% of adolescents with stress levels in the no-stress category, 50,6% of adolescents with frequent fast food consumption habits. The results showed that there was no relationship between stress levels and the nutritional status of adolescents (p-value = 0,449). There was no relationship between the habit of consuming fast food and the nutritional status of adolescents (p-value = 0,576). Conclusion: There is no relationship between stress levels, fast food consumption habits and nutritional status of adolescents at SMAN 1 Kalasan Yogyakarta.

Health behaviours associated with healthy body composition among Aboriginal adolescents in Australia in the ‘Next Generation: Youth Well-being study’

This study described the distribution of healthy body composition among Aboriginal adolescents in Australia aged 10–24 years and examined associations with health behaviours and self-rated health. Data were cross-sectional from the ‘Next Generation: Youth Well-being study’ baseline (N = 1294). We used robust Poisson regression to quantify associations of self-reported health behaviours (physical activity, screen time, sleep, consumption of vegetables, fruit, soft drinks and fast food, and tobacco smoking and alcohol) and self-rated health to healthy body mass index (BMI) and waist/height ratio (WHtR). Overall, 48% of participants had healthy BMI and 64% healthy WHtR, with healthy body composition more common among younger adolescents. Higher physical activity was associated with healthy body composition (5–7 days last week vs none; adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) healthy BMI 1.31 [95% CI 1.05–1.64], and healthy WHtR 1.30 [1.10–1.54]), as was recommended sleep duration (vs not; aPR healthy BMI 1.56 [1.19–2.05], and healthy WHtR 1.37 [1.13–1.67]). There was a trend for higher proportion of healthy body composition with more frequent fast food consumption. Healthy body composition was also associated with higher self-rated health (‘very good/excellent’ vs ‘poor/fair’; aPR healthy BMI 1.87 [1.45–2.42], and healthy WHtR 1.71 [1.40–2.10]). Culturally appropriate community health interventions with a focus on physical activity and sleep may hold promise for improving body composition among Aboriginal adolescents.

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among pregnant women attending general and teaching hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria

BackgroundSugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have become a global health concern because of their adverse health effects and their association with the obesity pandemic. It has not received much attention in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, especially among pregnant women. The pattern, frequency and factors associated with SSBs among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria, were investigated.DesignData were from the Ibadan Pregnancy Cohort Study - a prospective cohort study investigating 1745 pregnant women from four comprehensive obstetric facilities in Ibadan. A qualitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess the pregnant women’s intake of food and drinks over the previous months. Sugar-sweetened beverage variable and scores were also generated using the principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Factors associated with high SSB scores were examined using multivariate logistics regression analyses at a 5% significance level.ResultsThe most commonly consumed SSBs were cocoa-sweetened beverages, soft drinks, malt drinks, and fruit juice. A quarter of the women (75th percentile) consumed SSB more than once weekly. The factors associated with high SSB on multivariate analysis were; being employed (AOR: 1.52, 95% CI 1.02–2.26), maternal obesity (AOR: 0.065, 95% CI 0.47–0.89), high fruit intake (AOR:3.62, 95% CI 2.62–4.99), high green vegetable consumption (AOR:1.99, 95% CI 1.06–3.74), high milk intake (AOR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.65– 2.74), frequent fast food outlet visit (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI 1.53–1.70), all of these remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables.ConclusionSSBs were common among our study population. Factors associated with high SSBs intake are crucial for implementing locally relevant public health interventions.

Evaluation of Eating Habits and Nutrient Intake in Adolescents with and without Suspected Eating Disorders in Iran

Objective: Increasing the incidence of eating disorder (ED) attitude during adolescence may lead to inadequate nutrient intake and consequently to growth disorders. This study aimed to compare eating habits and nutrient intakes of adolescents with high risk and low risk of developing eating disorders in high schools in Tehran, Iran.
 Methods: In the current cross-sectional study, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) was applied to 299 students (185 females and 114 males) aged 15-18 years for the determination of ED attitudes. Food habits and nutrient intake were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire and a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), respectively. Nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) were calculated using nutrient’s Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for age and sex.
 Results: Of all students, 17.7% were at risk of developing ED. The results showed that girls, unlike boys, consumed more energy than they needed, but this difference between the ED group in both sexes was not significant. The distribution of sweetened drinks, candy, chocolate, and fast food frequency was significantly different between the two groups of girls (P

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Fast-Food Consumption in Malaysian Young Adults

Fast-food is the fastest-growing food category in the world, offering young adults a quick, affordable, and readily available alternative to home-cooked meals. The objective of this study was to determine the socio-demographic determinants of the most frequent fast-food consumption among young adults in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involved 405 Malaysian young adults aged 18 to 29 who participated in an online survey. This self-administered online questionnaire of habitual fast-food consumption was evaluated using a modified Fast-food Frequency Questionnaire comprised of 30 food items, while the socio-demographic profile was determined by age, gender, ethnicity, monthly household income, marital status, residence, and educational level. IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 (SPSS IBM, New York, USA) was used to analyse the data. The results indicated that the most frequently consumed fast-foods were fried chicken (77.6% of habitual consumption), ice cream (41.3%), and burgers (40%). A chi-square independence test revealed a statistically significant association between urban and rural residence and high fast-food consumption (i.e., fried chicken): X2(2, N = 405) = 22.924, p = 0.001. However, there is no association between consumption of fast-food and gender (X2(2, N = 405) = 0.044, p = 0.834), fast-food and age (p = 0.403), or fast-food and educational level (p > 0.05). Taken together, these findings have provided more information on the habitual consumption of fast-food by young adults. The Malaysian government and other health authorities may be able to develop an action plan to reduce obesity rates and other diseases associated with fast-food consumption among young adults.

Food insecurity and food consumption among children who receive federal food assistance

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between household food insecurity and food intake among children who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), including a sub-sample who also participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Data came from the 2014 and 2017 Los Angeles County WIC Surveys, involving a random sample of WIC participating families in Los Angeles, California. Outcome variables were average daily consumption of fruit, 100% fruit juice, vegetables, milk, other juice, other sweetened drinks, and sweet foods, and frequency of fast-food consumption, as reported by the child's caregiver. Our predictor was household food insecurity, obtained from the 6-item Household Food Security Survey Module. Poisson regression (fruit, 100% fruit juice, vegetables, and milk), Negative Binomial regression (other juice, other sweetened drinks, and sweet foods) and multinomial logistic regression (frequency of fast food) models were run, adjusting for child's age and sex; maternal age, ethnicity and language, education, and employment; and type of WIC participation (WIC only vs. WIC + SNAP). In fully adjusted models, household food insecurity was associated with higher consumption of 100% fruit juice (RR = 1.08, 95%CI = 1.03–1.11), milk (RR = 1.04, 95%CI = 1.01–1.07), other juice (RR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.08–1.26), other sweetened drinks (RR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.12–1.46), and sweet foods (RR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.04–1.14). No significant associations were found between household food insecurity and fruit and vegetable consumption. Nutrition education provided by WIC should continue to emphasize the importance of consuming fresh foods, while limiting foods high in sugar for this young population. Efforts should be made to identify food insecure families at the point of service delivery for enhanced nutrition education and social services referrals.

Factors Associated with Frequent Consumption of Fast Food and its Effect on Health among Fast Food Venders and School or College Going Teenage Consumer with View to Develop an Informational Booklet

The consumption of different types of fast food is increasingly growing in all parts of the world, both in developed and developing countries. Because of the changes and transitions in the lifestyle and dietary habits of people, an increasing number of people from different age group, particularly adolescent and young adults, are inclined toward consumption of fast food. OBJECTIVE: 1. To explore the factors associated with frequent consumption of fast food among vendors and school or college going teenage consumers. 2. To assess the existing levels of knowledge on effect of frequent fast food consumption on health among school or college going teenage consumers. 3. To see the correlation between the frequent consumption of fast food among school or college going teenage consumers and its effect on health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research approach is the most essential part of any research. The entire study is based on it. The appropriate choice of the research approach depends on the purpose of the research study that is undertaken. “Approach to research is an umbrella which covers the basis procedure for conducting research”. The researcher found that Quantitative research approach is best suited, as it is a scientific investigation in which observations are made, data are collected according to a set of well-defined criteria and study. RESULTS: The highest percentage of participants falls under the category of 56% (28) of the participants in socio demographic data are belongs to the age group (10-15) years and 24% (12) participants belongs to age group (15-24) years of age group and 20% (10) participants belongs to the age group of above 24 years 12-14 year age group. Knowledge 47(94%) obesity, 32(64%) Damage the tooth enamel and poor oral health, 32 (64%) Reducing the brain function or sharpness, 26(52%) reducing.

Prevalence of Dyslipidemia among Healthy University Students: Fayoum Governorate, Egypt.


 Introduction:. Dyslipidemia is a well known and major modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Increased prevalence of these abnormalities in young adulthood, increase the prevalence of CHD later on life.
 Objectives: to estimate the prevalence and patterns of serum lipid profiles and associated factors among university students in Fayoum University students.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of 384 Fayoum university students. Fasting blood samples were collected from all participants and assayed for fasting total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL).
 Results: According to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, the overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 44.3% , hypercholesterolemia prevalence was 38.8%, hypertrigyceridemia 29.7% low HDL-C 27.1% and high LDL-C 33.1% Significant associated factors of dyslipidemia among study participants were urban residence, increasing age, physical inactivity ,overweight&obesity, abdominal obesity frequent fast food consumption and Low fruit and vegetables consumption
 Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia is high among Fayoum university students, important associated factors are obesity and overweight, physical inactivity , unhealthy dietary habits that need to be tackled through intervention programs.

DO FAST/JUNK FOODS HAVE AN EFFECT ON ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

Certain types of food may increase or decrease the frequency of asthma exacerbations. The study is aimed at determining whether there is an association between consuming fast/junk foods and asthma. A well-adjusted, standardized questionnaire was used for the collection of information. This study is focused on finding a relationship between fast food intake and frequency and severity of asthma exacerbation rather than a causative relationship. This is a cross-sectional study done in the southern part of India in the state of Kerala. The correlation between fast food and asthma is established through a detailed analysis of the results. After adjusting for confounding variables like Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) and allergens at home we were able to indicate that fast/junk food consumption is a risk factor for asthma symptom exacerbation in children.

DO FAST/JUNK FOODS HAVE AN EFFECT ON ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

Certain types of food may increase or decrease the frequency of asthma exacerbations. The study is aimed at determining whether there is an association between consuming fast/junk foods and asthma. A well-adjusted, standardized questionnaire was used for the collection of information. This study is focused on finding a relationship between fast food intake and frequency and severity of asthma exacerbation rather than a causative relationship. This is a cross-sectional study done in the southern part of India in the state of Kerala. The correlation between fast food and asthma is established through a detailed analysis of the results. After adjusting for confounding variables like Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) and allergens at home we were able to indicate that fast/junk food consumption is a risk factor for asthma symptom exacerbation in children.

Diet Quality of Frequent Fast-Food Consumers on a Non-Fast Food Intake Day Is Similar to a Day with Fast Food, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013-2016

BackgroundFrequent fast food (FF) consumers may make more healthful food choices at eating occasions without FF. However, it is not clear if poor diet quality of frequent FF consumers is a function of FF consumption or less healthful food choices overall. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare diet quality, energy, and nutrient intakes of infrequent FF consumers (INFREQ) with that of frequent FF consumers on an intake day with FF (FREQ-FF) or without FF (FREQ_NO FF). DesignThis study is a cross-sectional analysis of 1 day dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2016, the dietary intake component of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants/settingParticipants included adults aged 20 years and older (N = 4,012), who, during the previous 7 days, reported no consumption of FF or pizza (n = 2,142 INFREQ) or reported FF or pizza three or more times and either had FF/pizza (n = 1,455 FREQ_FF) or did not have FF/pizza (n = 415 FREQ_NO FF) on the intake day. Main outcome measuresMain outcomes were energy, nutrient density (nutrient intake per 1,000 kcal), and diet quality evaluated using Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015. Statistical analyses performedGroup comparisons were made using t tests. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.001. ResultsCompared with INFREQ consumers, FREQ_FF consumers had higher intakes of energy and fat per 1,000 kcal, lower scores for total HEI and most components, and lower nutrient densities of most micronutrients (P < 0.001). HEI component scores of INFREQ consumers for vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and added sugars were higher than FREQ_FF consumers (P < 0.001). Energy intake, most nutrient densities, and total HEI and component scores of FREQ_NO FF consumers were not significantly different from FREQ_FF consumers with the exception of fruit but were different from INFREQ consumers for some nutrients and HEI components. ConclusionsResults suggest diet quality and nutrient intake of frequent FF consumers on a non-FF intake day is not markedly different from a day with FF.

Reducing Obesogenic Eating Behaviors in Hispanic Children through a Family-Based, Culturally-Tailored RCT: Abriendo Caminos.

Family-based interventions that incorporate culturally-tailored multi-component curricula and are grounded on evidence-based information and theoretical frameworks can help reduce the prevalence of obesity among Hispanic children. Abriendo Caminos: Clearing the Path to Hispanic Health is a multi-site culturally-tailored randomized control trial that aims to reduce obesity rates in Hispanic families by delivering education on nutrition, family wellness, and physical activity. This study evaluated the effect of the Abriendo Caminos six-week intervention on dietary behaviors of Hispanic children (6–18 years). Mothers (n = 365) reported their child’s eating behavior intake using the U.S. Department of Education’s Early Childhood Longitudinal Study protocol (ECLS). Pre/post dietary changes were evaluated using separate generalized estimating equation models adjusted for site, child sex, and child age group. Findings indicate a reduction in the frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35, 0.87, p = 0.01), French fries (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.36, 0.86, p = 0.009), and fast food (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36, 0.84, p = 0.006) consumption among children in the intervention arm. Additionally, children in the intervention arm increased their frequency of vegetable consumption (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.08, 3.12, p = 0.03). The Abriendo Caminos intervention effectively improved four of eight eating behaviors in a short-term intervention.