Fast food restaurants and their relationship to body weight: A review of the evidence

INTRODUCTION: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 (DGA) encourages individuals to cook and eat more meals at home and to make better choices when eating out. This presentation describes the results of systematic reviews of scientific evidence completed by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) related to eating out, particularly at fast food restaurants. METHODS: The 2010 DGAC conducted systematic evidence-based reviews on the relationship between body weight and (1) the food environment and (2) eating out. Both DGAC reviews examined literature published from January 2000 to January 2010. An updated search was conducted to capture additional literature on these topics published through January 2011. RESULTS: Limited but consistent evidence suggests that increased geographic density of fast food restaurants is related to increased body mass index. Further, strong and consistent evidence indicates that children and adults who eat fast food are at increased risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity. The strongest documented relationship between fast food and obesity is when one or more fast food meals are consumed per week. DISCUSSION: In order to reduce the obesity epidemic, actions must be taken to improve the food environment, especially in foods eaten away from home. The restaurant industry is encouraged to offer foods in appropriate portion sizes that are low in added sugars, refined grains, and solid fat. Individuals need to choose foods and beverages away from home that are lower in calories.