Higher Consumption Of Fast Food Research Articles

Fast food consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome after 3-years of follow-up: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

There are growing concern globally regarding fast food consumption and its related cardiometabolic outcomes. In this study we investigated whether fast food consumption could affect the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) after 3-years of follow-up in adults. This longitudinal study was conducted in the framework of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study on 1476 adults, aged 19-70 y. The usual intakes of participants were measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were assessed at baseline (2006-2008) and 3 years later (2009-2011). Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the occurrence of the MetS in each quartile of fast food consumption. The mean age of participants was 37.8±12.3 y, and mean BMI was 26.0±4.5 kg/m(2) at baseline. Participants in the highest quartile of fast food consumption were younger (33.7 vs 43.4 years, P<0.01). Higher consumption of fast food was accompanied with more increase in serum triglyceride levels and triglyceride to HDL-C ratio after the 3-year follow-up. After adjustment for all potential confounding variables, the risk of metabolic syndrome, in the highest quartile of fast foods compared with the lowest, was 1.85 (95% CI=1.17-2.95). The effects of fast food consumption on the occurrence of MetS were more pronounced in younger adults (<30 years), and participants who had greater wait to hip ratio, consumed less phytochemical-rich foods or had low-fiber diet (P<0.05). We demonstrated that higher consumption of fast foods had undesirable effects on metabolic syndrome after 3-years of follow-up in Iranian adults.

Consumption of fast food and dietary self-efficacy of university undergraduates in Nigeria

Fast-food eating, a dietary pattern that used to be uniquely foreign, has gradually become part of the lifestyle of people in Nigeria, especially those in urban centres. However, studies have shown that the fat dietary behaviour of people while eating generally or in a fast-food restaurant will determine if they are going to be affected by the amount of fat they consume. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the level of consumption of fast food and dietary self-efficacy of undergraduates in three universities in south-west Nigeria to ascertain their confidence in engaging in fat-restrictive actions. A total number of 1950 undergraduate respondents participated in the study. The instrument used for collecting data was a questionnaire, and the data collected were analysed using Pearson's product–moment correlation and t-test. The results indicated that most of the respondents had high consumption of fast food and that the majority of them had moderate dietary self-efficacy in their ability to engage in fat-restrictive actions. Male and female respondents did not differ in the level of consumption of fast food and dietary self-efficacy. In addition, residential and non-residential undergraduates differ in consumption of fast food, but do not differ in dietary self-efficacy. It is concluded, therefore, that there is high consumption of fast foods and moderate dietary self-efficacy among the undergraduates.

Association of Iron Depletion with Menstruation and Dietary Intake Indices in Pubertal Girls: The Healthy Growth Study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of iron depletion (ID) with menstrual blood losses, lifestyle, and dietary habits, in pubertal girls. The study sample comprised 1222 girls aged 9–13 years old. Biochemical, anthropometrical, dietary, clinical, and physical activity data were collected. Out of 274 adolescent girls with menses, 33.5% were found to be iron depleted (defined as serum ferritin < 12 μg/L) compared to 15.9% out of 948 girls without menses. Iron-depleted girls without menses were found to have lower consumption of poultry (P = 0.017) and higher consumption of fruits (P = 0.044) and fast food (P = 0.041) compared to their peers having normal iron status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that girls with menses were 2.57 (95% CI: 1.37, 4.81) times more likely of being iron depleted compared to girls with no menses. Iron depletion was found to be associated with high calcium intake, high consumption of fast foods, and low consumption of poultry and fruits. Menses was the only factor that was found to significantly increase the likelihood of ID in these girls. More future research is probably needed in order to better understand the role of diet and menses in iron depletion.

Risk of asthma associated with energy-dense but nutrient-poor dietary pattern in Taiwanese children.

Childhood asthma has rapidly increased over the past few decades, possibly due to changes in lifestyle and dietary patterns. We aimed to determine associations between dietary patterns and asthma in schoolchildren in Taiwan. The Nutrition and Health survey in Taiwan Elementary School Children was carried out by using a multi-staged complex sampling design. A total of 2,082 elementary school children with complete data on dietary, lifestyle, demographics and asthma were included in the analysis. We used a Chinese version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire to generate an asthma symptom score and to define asthma outcomes. Dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Reduced rank regression (RRR) was used to identify the dietary pattern associated with the asthma symptoms score. Asthma outcomes included; current asthma, current severe asthma, nocturnal cough, exercise-induced wheeze and asthma ever. The RRR-derived dietary pattern was characterized by high consumption of fast foods, high-fat snacks, candy, and cheese; and low consumption of fruit, vegetables and rice. The RRR-derived dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of current asthma (OR [95% CI]) (2.42 [1.19-4.93] for Q4/Q1, p-for-trend=0.01), current severe asthma (3.21 [1.11-9.25] for Q3/Q1, 4.45 [1.59-12.5] for Q4/Q1; p-for-trend=0.003), and nocturnal cough (1.79 [1.06-3.05] for Q2/Q1, 1.74 [1.02-2.97] for Q3/Q1, 1.82 [1.07-3.11] for Q4/Q1; p-for-trend=0.049). Our results suggest that a diet with a high intake of fat and simple sugars and low intake of fruit, vegetables and rice is associated with an increased risk of asthma in Taiwanese children.

Effects of a dietary intervention promoting the adoption of a Mediterranean food pattern on fast-food consumption among healthy French-Canadian women

It is expected that a dietary intervention based on the traditional Mediterranean food pattern should be associated with a reduction in fast-food consumption but this has never been tested before. We assessed the impact of a 12-week dietary intervention, promoting the adoption of a Mediterranean food pattern, on fast-food consumption among seventy-one healthy women aged between 30 and 65 years. The dietary intervention consisted of two group sessions and seven individual sessions with a dietitian. To determine the Mediterranean dietary score (MedScore) and fast-food consumption, an FFQ was administered. During the 12-week intervention, the MedScore significantly increased (from 21.1 (SD 3.6) units at baseline to 28.6 (SD 4.4) units at week 12, P < 0.0001), while the fast-food consumption significantly decreased (from 51.7 (SD 46.4) g/d at baseline to 20.5 (SD 18.2) g/d at week 12, P < 0.0001). Moreover, women who had a higher consumption of fast food at baseline decreased their fast-food consumption to the most (r - 0.50, P < 0.0001). When four subgroups were formed on the basis of median values of Medscore and fast-food consumption changes, it was found that only the subgroup of women which increased the most their MedScore and decreased the most their fast-food consumption experienced a significant decrease in BMI (P < 0.01). In conclusion, a dietary intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern led to a decrease in fast-food consumption among healthy women even if it was not a specific target of the intervention. Dietary strategies for increasing intake of healthy foods may be a useful approach for decreasing intake of less healthy foods.

Consumo de alimentos y asma en niños escolares de Cuernavaca

To evaluate the relation between diet and the development of asthma and allergic rhinitis in schoolchildren from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. We apply the ISAAC's questionnaire in 5460 schoolchildren from 6 to 8 and 11-14-year-old of elementary level selected in random form. Six groups of food were formed using a hierarchic clusters analysis and the association was evaluated using logistic regression models. The consumption of fast food had an adverse effect for current wheezing (OR=1.82; CI95%=1.16-2.87) and the consumption of tidbits for more than three episodes of wheezing (OR=2.26; CI95%=1.04-4.95) and nasal symptoms without cold, OR=1.35 (IC95%;1.06-1.71). This study provides evidence that the diet plays a very important role since the high consumption of fast food and tidbits increased the risk of asthma and rhinitis symptoms.

Fast food consumption counters the protective effect of breastfeeding on asthma in children?

Fast food consumption and childhood asthma have rapidly increased in recent decades. During the same period there has been an increased rate of prolonged breastfeeding. To evaluate if fast food consumption was associated with asthma in children, and if the proposed protective effect of breastfeeding on asthma was altered by fast food consumption. This case-control study included 246 children with allergist-diagnosed asthma and 477 non-asthmatic controls at age 8-10 years. Information on fast food consumption and exclusive breastfeeding was obtained from questionnaire data. The association between asthma and fast food consumption was evaluated. Asthma in relation to exclusive breastfeeding was also evaluated, taking into account fast food consumption as a modifying factor. Children with asthma were more likely to consume fast food than children without asthma [crude odds ratio (OR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.34]. In comparison to prolonged exclusive breastfeeding (> or =12 weeks), asthma was positively associated with short-term exclusive breastfeeding (<12 weeks) in children who never or occasionally consumed fast food (crude OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.09-3.11), but not in children who frequently consumed fast food (crude OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.72-1.61). The P-value for this interaction (0.109) was borderline. Children with high fast food consumption who were exclusively breastfed <12 weeks as infants, had greater than a twofold risk of asthma compared with infants who had been exclusively breastfed for a longer time period and who did not become high consumers of fast food in later childhood. These findings were not affected after final adjustment of confounders and covariates. Fast food consumption is associated with asthma in children and potentially counteracts the protective effect of prolonged breastfeeding on asthma. This may explain the paradoxical phenomenon of parallel increased rates of prolonged breastfeeding and asthma in children. 556-561.

Differential associations of fast food and restaurant food consumption with 3-y change in body mass index: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

Background: Away-from-home food consumption has rapidly increased, though little is known about the independent associations of restaurant food and fast food intake with body mass index (BMI) and BMI change.Objective: The aim was to compare the associations of restaurant food and fast food consumption with current and 3-y changes in BMI.Design: Multivariate linear regression models, with control for demographic and lifestyle factors, were used to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of away-from-home eating with BMI by using data from subjects of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (n = 3394) obtained at exam years 7 (1992–1993) and 10 (1995–1996).Results: Forty percent of the sample increased their weekly consumption of restaurant or fast food, though mean (±SD) changes were −0.16 ± 2.39 times/wk (P = 0.0001) and −0.56 ± 3.04 times/wk (P < 0.0001), respectively. Cross-sectionally, fast food, but not restaurant food, consumption was positively associated with BMI. Similarly, higher consumption of fast food at year 7 was associated with a 0.16-unit higher BMI at year 10. After adjustment for baseline away-from-home eating, increased consumption of fast food only (β: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.39) and of both restaurant food and fast food (β: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.51) were positively associated with BMI change, though the estimates were not significantly different (P = 0.47). Increased consumption of restaurant food only was unrelated to BMI change (β: −0.01; 95% CI: −0.21, 0.19), which differed significantly (P = 0.014) from the estimate for an increase in both restaurant food and fast food intake.Conclusions: We found differential effects of restaurant food and fast food intakes on BMI, although the observed differences were not always statistically significant. More research is needed to determine whether the differential effects are related to consumer characteristics or the food itself.

Dietary Factors Associated With Wheezing and Allergic Rhinitis in Schoolchildren From Cuernavaca Mexico

TAB3-PD-03 The effect of dietary factors on asthma is controversial. This study examined food consumption in relation to wheezing and allergic rhinitis among schoolchildren participating in the ISAAC Phase 3 Study. Baseline questionnaire data, including 45 food items were recorded by parents of 5238 children 6 to 14 years of age living in Cuernavaca, Mexico, occurrence of respiratory symptoms (more than 3 episodes of wheezing, wheezing in the last 12 months, and symptoms of allergic rhinitis) were considered. Frequency of food intake (never and almost never vs. weekly and daily) was obtained by questionnaire and dietary indexes were constructed using analysis of hierarchic clusters. The association between the different dietary indexes and respiratory symptoms was evaluated using logistic regression models. Results: After adjusting for sex, passive smoking, respiratory infection after birth, humidity at home, cockroaches, animals at home in the first years of life, and family history of asthma, children who had an intake of nuts and cereals had lower risk of current wheezing (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67–0.95 and OR = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45–0.96, respectively). The consumption of fruits and vegetables had a protective role for allergic rhinitis (OR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.97). However children who had a higher consumption of fast food or “junk food” had greater risk of wheezing without cold (OR = 2.22; 95% CI, 1.03–4.74) and allergic rhinitis without cold (OR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.11–2.04). No other food was significantly associated. Conclusions: Dietary factors appears to affect the risks of respiratory symptoms in our population. While fast food consumption was strongly associated with current wheezing without cold, a “healthy diet”, rich in cereals and fruits and vegetables, had a protective role.

Noncommunicable diseases: risk factors and regional strategies for prevention and care

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a major disease burden in the Region. Many of the risk factors are related to lifestyle and can be controlled. Physical inactivity, low fruit and vegetable intake, high fast food consumption and high cholesterol are predominant causes of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Overweight and obesity can lead to metabolic changes and raise the risk of NCDs, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Three main strategies are proposed to deal with the problem: estimate need and advocate for action; develop national policies, strategies and plans for prevention and care; promote and implement community participation in prevention and care. NCDs are preventable using available knowledge; solutions are effective and highly cost-effective.

Social environmental factors in Japan affecting the development of proper eating behaviors

This article summarizes issues related to myofunctional disorders/dysphagia and focuses upon social and economic changes within Japanese culture affecting eating habits and behaviors in children. The authors suggest that unfavorable environmental factors negatively impact upon the acquisition of mastication and swallowing behaviors. The article includes discussion of prior research. Studies indicate that decreased observation of early childhood eating habits, dietary changes with regard to higher consumption of fast food and changes within the family, i.e. busy work schedules, decrease in family mealtimes, combine to incur negative change with regard to orofacial function.