Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Calorie Intake Linked to Fast Food Proximity

A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals adults who live within five miles of a fast-food restaurant consume more calories.

Researchers examined the associations between fast-food restaurant availability with dietary intake, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference among 4,74 blacks the southeastern United States who participated in the African American Jackson Heart Study. No consistent associations were found between the availability of fast-food restaurants and body-mass index (BMI) or waist circumference; however, increased access to fast-food restaurants was associated with higher calorie intake.

They found living within five miles of fast-food restaurants was associated with higher calorie intake among women and men younger than age 55, even after adjustments were made for individual socioeconomic status. Men consumed 138 more calories, while women consumed 58 more calories. Similar associations were observed for those living within two miles of a fast-food restaurant, especially in men.

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