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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Joshua R. Vest, MPH¹, Jessie K. Patton-Levine, BS¹, and Jerry A. Schultz, PhD². (1) Austin/Travis County HHSD, 15 Waller St, Austin, TX 78702, (2) Work Group for Community Health and Development, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Dole Center, Room 4082, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-0533, jschultz@ku.edu

Americans are eating out at restaurants and fast food establishments at a more frequent rate than two decades ago. Food prepared away from the home has been associated with a greater energy intake, and a higher total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, and added sugar intake. In particular, individuals who report eating fast food have been shown to have lower intakes of nutritious food, such as fruit and milk, and are more likely to not meet one or more of the government dietary recommendations for fat, saturated fat and added sugar intake. Previous research has demonstrated individuals have a higher percentage of body fat and greater odds of being overweight with repeated fast food consumption. To assess the association between frequent restaurant use and obesity at the local level, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department analyzed data from a random digit dialed telephone survey of adults collected as part of the Steps to a Healthier US intervention. Frequency of eating meals prepared outside the home was determined by self-report and obesity was calculated based on self-reported body mass index. After controlling for confounding factors, individuals who reported eating meals prepared outside their home four or more times a week were twice as likely to be obese as those who reported eating out less than once a week. This information provides support for continuation and expansion of local programs funded by Steps designed to encourage healthy eating practices, and classes on preparing healthy food within the home.

Learning Objectives: By viewing this poster, the participant

• will recognize the assocaition between eating out and obesity
• will be able to identify the important confounding factors in studies of eating meals prepared out of the home
• be able to develop justification for nutrition interventions based on these results

Keywords: Risky Behaviors, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered