Who Eats Fast Food? Characteristics of Frequent Fast-Food Consumers among Utah Tongan Americans

Introduction: About 27% of all meals in the U.S. are eaten away from home, a good proportion of which are purchased at fast food restaurants. Fast food consumption is linked to obesity and related health problems. Pacific Islanders have high rates of obesity. The National Tongan American Society (NTAS), based in Salt Lake City, invests considerable resources in improving health and reducing obesity among Pacific Islanders in Utah. Anecdotal information suggests that fast food consumption is a major contributor to obesity in this population. Methods: In 2008, NTAS conducted the “Healthy Living in the Tongan American Community Survey” to better understand demographic and lifestyle-related links to obesity rates among its community members. This study was limited to Tongan adults, aged 18 and over (n=347). Logistic regression and cross-tabulations were used in the analyses. Findings: More than half (54.2%) of respondents were obese (BMI 30+). Two-fifths (42.7%) reported consuming fast food three or more times a week (frequent consumers). Unadjusted odds for obesity among frequent consumers were twice (2.0) that for less frequent consumers (p<.01). Characteristics significantly associated with frequent consumption included: (1) engagement in physical activity less than three times a week, (2) living in households with seven or more residents, (3) being under age 35, (4) being U.S.-born, and (5) regularly consuming either sugar-sweetened or diet soft drinks. Conclusions: Obesity is a complex issue, but identifying one lifestyle behavior and understanding it in depth helps increase the effectiveness of interventions and healthy-choice community education, as promoted by NTAS.