Middle Class Eats the Most Fast Food

Middle-class families consume on average more fast food than lower-income, less-healthy families that can’t afford to eat out, according to a new study published online in the journal Population Health Management. The findings challenge the popular belief that fast food is to blame for higher obesity rates among the poor.

Researchers from the University of California, Davis examined data from the 1994 to 1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the accompanying Diet and Health Knowledge Survey. The data included responses from nearly 5,000 U.S. consumers about food consumption patterns, household income, race, gender, age and education.

They found as incomes rose, visits to full-service restaurants increased. In contrast, eating at fast-food restaurants followed a different pattern. Fast-food restaurant visits rose along with annual household income up to $60,000; however, as income increased beyond that level, fast-food visits decreased.

The researchers noted that the fast-food industry attracts the middle class by locating restaurants right off freeways in middle-income areas and by offering products that appeal to a large proportion of Americans.

"There is a correlation between obesity and lower income, but it cannot be solely attributed to restaurant choice," said senior author J. Paul Leigh, professor of public health sciences at UC Davis. "Fast-food dining is most popular among the middle class, who are less likely to be obese."

Sources:

·                                 UC Davis: UC Davis study shows that fast-food dining is most popular for those with middle incomes, rather than those with lowest incomes