Are fast food restaurants an environmental risk factor for obesity?

TLDR

Fast‑food consumption has risen and is linked to obesity, yet the definition of fast food, proximity metrics, and the overall proliferation of such restaurants may not uniquely drive obesity. The study investigated whether proximity to fast‑food restaurants is associated with body weight. Researchers surveyed 1,033 Minnesota residents, measured height and weight, recorded restaurant‑eating frequency, and used GIS to assess home and work proximity to fast‑food restaurants. Fast‑food eating correlated with higher BMI, higher fat intake, and lower vegetable consumption and activity, but proximity to fast‑food restaurants was not linked to BMI or fast‑food consumption, whereas proximity to non‑fast‑food restaurants only affected eating frequency.

Abstract

Eating at "fast food" restaurants has increased and is linked to obesity. This study examined whether living or working near "fast food" restaurants is associated with body weight.A telephone survey of 1033 Minnesota residents assessed body height and weight, frequency of eating at restaurants, and work and home addresses. Proximity of home and work to restaurants was assessed by Global Index System (GIS) methodology.Eating at "fast food" restaurants was positively associated with having children, a high fat diet and Body Mass Index (BMI). It was negatively associated with vegetable consumption and physical activity. Proximity of "fast food" restaurants to home or work was not associated with eating at "fast food" restaurants or with BMI. Proximity of "non-fast food" restaurants was not associated with BMI, but was associated with frequency of eating at those restaurants.Failure to find relationships between proximity to "fast food" restaurants and obesity may be due to methodological weaknesses, e.g. the operational definition of "fast food" or "proximity", or homogeneity of restaurant proximity. Alternatively, the proliferation of "fast food" restaurants may not be a strong unique cause of obesity.