TY - JOUR
T1 - Why Eat at Fast-Food Restaurants
T2 - Reported Reasons among Frequent Consumers
AU - Rydell, Sarah A.
AU - Harnack, Lisa J.
AU - Oakes, J. Michael
AU - Story, Mary
AU - Jeffery, Robert W.
AU - French, Simone A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK067599).
PY - 2008/12
Y1 - 2008/12
N2 - A convenience sample of adolescents and adults who regularly eat at fast-food restaurants were recruited to participate in an experimental trial to examine the effect of nutrition labeling on meal choices. As part of this study, participants were asked to indicate how strongly they agreed or disagreed with 11 statements to assess reasons for eating at fast-food restaurants. Logistic regression was conducted to examine whether responses differed by demographic factors. The most frequently reported reasons for eating at fast-food restaurants were: fast food is quick (92%), restaurants are easy to get to (80%), and food tastes good (69%). The least frequently reported reasons were: eating fast food is a way of socializing with family and friends (33%), restaurants have nutritious foods to offer (21%), and restaurants are fun and entertaining (12%). Some differences were found with respect to the demographic factors examined. It appears that in order to reduce fast-food consumption, food and nutrition professionals need to identify alternative quick and convenient food sources. As motivation for eating at fast-food restaurants appears to differ somewhat by age, sex, education, employment status, and household size, tailored interventions could be considered.
AB - A convenience sample of adolescents and adults who regularly eat at fast-food restaurants were recruited to participate in an experimental trial to examine the effect of nutrition labeling on meal choices. As part of this study, participants were asked to indicate how strongly they agreed or disagreed with 11 statements to assess reasons for eating at fast-food restaurants. Logistic regression was conducted to examine whether responses differed by demographic factors. The most frequently reported reasons for eating at fast-food restaurants were: fast food is quick (92%), restaurants are easy to get to (80%), and food tastes good (69%). The least frequently reported reasons were: eating fast food is a way of socializing with family and friends (33%), restaurants have nutritious foods to offer (21%), and restaurants are fun and entertaining (12%). Some differences were found with respect to the demographic factors examined. It appears that in order to reduce fast-food consumption, food and nutrition professionals need to identify alternative quick and convenient food sources. As motivation for eating at fast-food restaurants appears to differ somewhat by age, sex, education, employment status, and household size, tailored interventions could be considered.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jada.2008.09.008
DO - 10.1016/j.jada.2008.09.008
M3 - Article
C2 - 19027410
AN - SCOPUS:56249123668
SN - 0002-8223
VL - 108
SP - 2066
EP - 2070
JO - Journal of the American Dietetic Association
JF - Journal of the American Dietetic Association
IS - 12
ER -