Personal and lifestyle characteristics predictive of the consumption of fast foods in Australia

Objective: To determine the demographic profile of fast-food consumers among adult Singapore residents and ascertain whether fast-food consumption frequency is associated with diet quality and weight status. Design: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey including an FFQ and anthropometric measures. Participants were grouped based on their fast-food consumption frequency as non-consumer, occasional consumer or regular consumer, with regular defined as at least once per week. Setting: Individuals living in the community in Singapore. Subjects: Singapore residents (n 1627) aged 18-69 years of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicity. Results: Proportions of regular fast-food consumers were higher in younger age groups, higher income groups and middle education level groups. Mean daily energy intake was positively associated with fast-food consumption frequency (non-consumers 9636 kJ (2303 kcal); occasional consumers 11 159 kJ (2667 kcal); regular consumers 13 100 kJ (3131 kcal); P for trend , 0?001). Fast-food consumers were more likely to exceed the RDA for energy, fat and saturated fat, and less likely to meet wholegrain and fruit recommendations. Both regular consumers (OR 5 1?24; 95 % CI 1?03, 1?51) and occasional consumers (OR 5 1?52; 95 % CI 1?32, 1?77) were more likely to have a waist:hip ratio indicating abdominal obesity. Occasional consumers were more likely to have a BMI $ 23?0 kg/m 2 (OR 5 1?19; 95 % CI 1?04, 1?37), whereas regular consumers were less likely (OR 5 0?76; 95 % CI 0?64, 0?91) to have an 'at-risk' BMI. Conclusions: Fast-food consumption is most prevalent in young adults, high income and middle education level groups. Frequent fast-food consumption in Singapore is associated with unfavourable dietary and nutrient profiles and abdominal obesity.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Fast-food consumers in Singapore: demographic profile, diet quality and weight status

Whitton

Bastian

et al. 2013

“…The association between socio-economic position (SEP) and takeaway food has been examined in a number of Australian (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) and international studies (7)(8)(9) . To date, the findings of such studies are mixed, with some studies showing that socio-economically advantaged groups are more likely to purchase or consume takeaway food (2,5,7) and others reporting the opposite (1,4,8,9) or no association (3,6) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-economic differences in takeaway food consumption among adults

Miura

Giskes

Turrell

2011

Objective: To examine socio-economic differences in the frequency and types of takeaway foods consumed. Design: A cross-sectional postal survey. Setting: Participants were asked about their usual consumption of overall takeaway food (,4 times/month or $4 times/month) and of twenty-two specific takeaway food items (,1 time/month or $1 time/month); these latter foods were grouped into 'healthy' and 'less healthy' choices. Socio-economic position was measured on the basis of educational level and equivalised household income, and differences in takeaway food consumption were assessed by calculating prevalence ratios using log binomial regression. Subjects: Adults aged 25-64 years from Brisbane, Australia, were randomly selected from the electoral roll (n 903; 63?7 % response rate).

“…Given that the time costs for meals must consider all aspects, including preparation, eating and cleaning time (35) , this association may be related to a greater amount of time afforded to these women through not having paid work commitments. Alternatively, those who do work may be under more time pressure, which may increase the demand for convenience products such as fast food (24,(36)(37)(38) . Further, blue-collar employees may work non-standard working hours (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, studies have revealed that a higher consumption of, or expenditure on, FPOH is associated with less-healthy nutritional profiles in Westernised countries such as Australia (14) , the USA (8,9,18) and countries within Europe (19,20) . Although increased socio-economic disadvantage has been linked to lower dietary quality (21)(22)(23) , and specifically to increased fast-food consumption (22,(24)(25)(26) , less is known about predictors of more general out-of-home purchasing (14,20) or of consumption of meals prepared at home. In addition, it is rare for studies examining predictors of eating behaviour to consider multiple places of consumption, or multiple indicators of socio-economic position.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Who is eating where? Findings from the SocioEconomic Status and Activity in Women (SESAW) study

Thornton

Crawford

Ball

2010

Objective: Foods prepared outside of the home have been linked to less-than-ideal nutrient profiles for health. We examine whether the locations where meals are prepared and consumed are associated with socio-economic predictors among women. Design: A cross-sectional study using self-reported data. We examined multiple locations where meals are prepared and consumed: (i) at home; (ii) fast food eaten at home; (iii) fast food eaten at the restaurant; (iv) total fast food; (v) non-fast-food restaurant meals eaten at home; (vi) non-fast-food restaurant meals eaten at the restaurant; and (vii) all non-fast-food restaurant meals. Multilevel logistic regression was used to determine whether frequent consumption of meals from these sources varied by level of education, occupation, household income and area-level disadvantage. Setting: Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Subjects: A total of 1328 women from forty-five neighbourhoods randomly sampled for the SocioEconomic Status and Activity in Women study. Results: Those with higher educational qualifications or who were not in the workforce (compared with those in professional employment) were more likely to report frequent consumption of meals prepared and consumed at home. High individualand area-level socio-economic characteristics were associated with a lower likelihood of frequent consumption of fast food and a higher likelihood of frequent consumption of meals from non-fast-food sources. The strength and significance of relationships varied by place of consumption. Conclusions: The source of meal preparation and consumption varied by socioeconomic predictors. This has implications for policy makers who need to continue to campaign to make healthy alternatives available in out-of-home food sources. Keywords Eating behavioursFast food Socio-economic position Over 60 % of Australian adults and 25 % of children are now overweight or obese (1) and therefore at increased risk for multiple adverse health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes, CVD, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis and some cancers (2,3) . Consumption of energy-dense foods and beverages is a key modifiable risk factor for weight gain and obesity (4,5) . Fast-food outlets are one of the most recognisable sources of energy-dense foods, despite some outlets offering a limited range of healthy options. In Britain, the energy density of traditional fast-food menus is reported to be up to 65 % higher than that of the average British diet and more than twice as high as that recommended for a healthy diet (6) . Although it is recognised that energydense meals can also be obtained from sources other than fast-food outlets, there is little consistent information available on the nutritional quality of meals from nonfast-food restaurants, although it has been suggested that foods from full-service restaurants may be equally healthy or even unhealthier than some fast-food options (7) . Compared with meals prepared at home, and acknowledging that meals from all sources are likely to be hig...