Salt content of some fast foods in Casablanca,Morocco: Pilot study

Introduction

High salt intake is associated with high blood pressure. This pilot study aimed to measure the salt content of some fast foods in Casablanca, Morocco.

Health-promoting and health-constraining environmental features and physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adolescence: a geospatial cross-sectional study

The environment may be an important influence on adolescent behaviour. We combined accelerometry and global positioning system data to investigate how the environment was related to physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Adolescents spent most of their time in very close proximity to a range of both health-promoting and health-constraining features. Several associations were detected between time spent in areas with the greatest access to health-promoting features and reduced sedentary time and less travel time by motor vehicle. The environment may contribute to the variation in adolescent activity behaviour.     

Do Parents Perceive That Organized Activities Interfere with Family Meals? Associations between Parent Perceptions and Aspects of the Household Eating Environment

BackgroundResearch has related child participation in organized activities to health and academic benefits; however, participation may interfere with family meals.ObjectiveExamine whether parents perceive child participation in organized activities to interfere with family meals and how perceptions are related to the household eating environment.DesignA cross-sectional analysis was completed using survey data collected in 2015-2016 as part of the Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) cohort study.ParticipantsSurvey participants were originally recruited in Minneapolis–St Paul schools in 1998-1999. The analytic subsample of parents (one per household, n=389, 69% female, 31% nonwhite race, mean age=31) had one or more children involved in an organized activity. Approximately 33% of households included a child aged 2 to 5 and no older child; two thirds of households included school-aged children (6 to 18 years).Main outcome measuresParents reported family meal frequency, family meal scheduling difficulties, frequency of at-home meal preparation, and their own intake of fast food, fruit, and vegetables.Statistical analyses performedAnalyses compared household environment characteristics reported by parents who perceived low interference between organized activities and family meals to characteristics reported by parents who perceived moderate to high interference from at least one form of activity. Regression models included a dichotomous indicator of interference as the independent variable and were adjusted for parental and household characteristics.ResultsAmong parents with children at any age, moderate to high interference was associated with lower family meal frequency, greater difficulty scheduling family meals, and more fast-food intake (all P≤0.01). The perception of moderate to high interference was more common among parents who reported involvement in both sport and nonsport activities (P<0.001) and those with a school-aged child (P<0.001) vs those with only preschool-aged children.ConclusionsFollow-up research, including qualitative studies, is needed to identify the specific aspects of child participation in organized activities (eg, scheduled time of day) that may interfere with family meals.     

The effect of providing nutritional information about fast-food restaurant menus on parents' meal choices for their children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESTo encourage healthier food choices for children in fast-food restaurants, many initiatives have been proposed. This study aimed to examine the effect of disclosing nutritional information on parents'' meal choices for their children at fast-food restaurants in South Korea.SUBJECTS/METHODSAn online experimental survey using a menu board was conducted with 242 parents of children aged 2-12 years who dined with them at fast-food restaurants at least once a month. Participants were classified into two groups: the low-calorie group (n = 41) who chose at least one of the lowest calorie meals in each menu category, and the high-calorie group (n = 201) who did not. The attributes including perceived empowerment, use of provided nutritional information, and perceived difficulties were compared between the two groups.RESULTSThe low-calorie group perceived significantly higher empowerment with the nutritional information provided than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.020). Additionally, the low-calorie group was more interested in nutrition labeling (P < 0.001) and considered the nutritional value of menus when selecting restaurants for their children more than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.017). The low-calorie group used the nutritional information provided when choosing meals for their children significantly more than did the high-calorie group (P < 0.001), but the high-calorie group had greater difficulty using the nutritional information provided (P = 0.012).CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that improving the empowerment of parents using nutritional information could be a strategy for promoting healthier parental food choices for their children at fast-food restaurants.     

Ethnic differences in fast-food advertising exposure and body mass index among Asian American/Pacific Islander and White young adults

BackgroundFast-food advertising (FFA) is a potential contributor to obesity. Few studies have examined the relationship between FFA exposure and body mass index (BMI) among young adults. Furthermore, these studies have rarely examined ethnic differences in the relationship between FFA exposure and BMI, specifically across Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) subgroups.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate ethnic differences in the association between FFA exposure and BMI in a sample of predominantly AAPI young adults.MethodsCross-sectional data were collected in 2018 from 2622 young adult college students (ages 18–25 years; 54% women) on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. FFA exposure was assessed using a cued-recall measure. Multiple regression and analysis of covariance were used to analyze the data.ResultsA significant association was found between higher FFA exposure and higher BMI (p < 0.05; 2-tailed) in the entire sample, adjusting for ethnicity, other demographic variables, and levels of physical activity. However, when examined by ethnic group, the association between FFA exposure and BMI was not statistically significant. A statistically significant main effect of ethnicity on BMI was found. Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) reported the highest mean BMI [27.07 (SD ± 7.74) kg/m²] compared with the other four ethnic groups (p < 0.001). The effect of ethnicity on FFA exposure was not found to be statistically significant.ConclusionFFA exposure appears to adversely influence BMI in a population of predominantly AAPI young adults. Although we did not find ethnic differences in FFA exposure or in the association between FFA exposure and BMI, the current data make a case for similar future investigation with larger subgroup sample sizes. Regulations that curtail FFA exposure among young adults may be needed.     

台湾新竹市国中生摄取西式快餐行为及其相关因素研究

[目的]了解台湾新竹国中学生摄取西式快餐现况,进一步探讨背景因素、营养知识、饮食态度、拒绝摄取的自我效能与摄取行为间的关系。[方法]用问卷进行调查,以t检验、单因素方差、多元回归等进行分析。[结果]女生的营养知识、饮食态度平均得分高于男生;拒绝摄取西式快餐自我效能偏向容易;整体摄取西式快餐行为,以“每次西式快餐,一定吃完”、“在快餐店购买西式快餐”和“在路边摊购买西式快餐”最为普遍;近20%的国中生在过去1周内摄取西式快餐;男生比女生吃得较多;每周零用钱、西式快餐营养知识、饮食态度、拒绝摄取的自我效能对摄取行为的解释力为27.3%;每周零用钱、拒绝摄取的自我效能为摄取西式快餐行为之重要影响因素。[结论]教师应培养学生健康的饮食行为,勿过量摄取西式快餐。     

Calorie Postings in Chain Restaurants in a Low-Income Urban Neighborhood: Measuring Practical Utility and Policy Compliance

Current strategies for combating obesity include recent federal legislation mandating calorie count postings in chain restaurants. This study describes the current practice of menu board calorie postings in a low-income urban neighborhood, identifies the extent to which current practice complies with existing policy, and evaluates the practical utility of menu boards to consumers. We conclude that although most postings were legally compliant, they did not demonstrate utility. Menu postings for individual servings are easily understood, but complex math skills are needed to interpret meals designed to serve more than one person. In some items, calories doubled depending on flavor and the calorie posting did not give enough information to make healthier selections. We identified specific strategies to improve practical utility and provide recommendations for policy implementation.     

A spatial analysis of the association between restaurant density and body mass index in Canadian adults

Objective

To investigate the association between fast-food restaurant density and adult body mass index (BMI) in Canada.

Methods

Individual-level BMI and confounding variables were obtained from the 2007–2008 Canadian Community Health Survey master file. Locations of the fast-food and full-service chain restaurants and other non-chain restaurants were obtained from the 2008 Infogroup Canada business database. Food outlet density (fast-food, full-service and other) per 10,000 population was calculated for each Forward Sortation Area (FSA). Global (Moran's I) and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation of BMI were assessed. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and spatial auto-regressive error (SARE) methods were used to assess the association between local food environment and adult BMI in Canada.

Results

Global and local spatial autocorrelation of BMI were found in our univariate analysis. We found that OLS and SARE estimates were very similar in our multivariate models. An additional fast-food restaurant per 10,000 people at the FSA-level is associated with a 0.022 kg/m² increase in BMI. On the other hand, other restaurant density is negatively related to BMI.

Conclusions

Fast-food restaurant density is positively associated with BMI in Canada. Results suggest that restricting availability of fast-food in local neighborhoods may play a role in obesity prevention.     

Visual Cues and Optimal Defaults in Fast-Food Combo Meals Benefit Health-Concerned Consumers—A Randomized Scenario-Based Experiment

BackgroundThe use of low-calorie menu items as optimal defaults and visual cues may nudge consumers to healthier choices at restaurants. However, little is known regarding their effects on emotions and behavioral intentions, particularly among people with different levels of health concern.ObjectiveEvaluate optimal defaults and visual cues’ effect on anticipated pleasure and order intention depending upon consumers’ health concern level.DesignBetween-subjects randomized scenario-based experiment.Participants/settingIn all, 636 US adults recruited through an online crowdsourcing platform in July 2020.InterventionParticipants saw 1 of 6 menu boards in a fast-food drive-through simulation. Half the menu boards included meal photos with (1) menu items to be arranged as a combo by choice (ie, create-your-own combo); (2) traditional combos that included high-calorie default items; or (3) optimal combos that included low-calorie default items. The remaining 3 boards were identical without photos.Main outcome measuresAnticipated pleasure, order intention, and health concern were evaluated with 7-point Likert scales.AnalysisStatistical tests included multiple regression, Kruskal-Wallis, χ², and analysis of variance. Education and sex were tested as potential confounders.ResultsOptimal combos negatively affected anticipated pleasure (P = .003) and order intention (P < .001) compared with choice combos. Order intention reduction was the same for traditional and optimal combos (P = .128). The presence of photos changed order intention for optimal combos but varied by consumer’s health concern level. When health concern was lower, photos decreased the likelihood of ordering the optimal combos (B = ?3.06, P = .001), but when health concern was higher, photos enhanced ordering intention compared with the choice group (B = 0.60, P = .001). The photos did not affect anticipated pleasure for any level of health concern.ConclusionsThe adverse effect of optimal defaults and how visual cues may reduce their negative effect should be considered in menu design.     

Fast-Food Optimal Defaults Reduce Calories Ordered,as Well as Dietary Autonomy: A Scenario-Based Experiment

BackgroundLow-calorie menu items as optimal defaults may encourage healthier choices when people eat out. Limited research has studied default effects from the restauranteurs’ perspective, as well as the public health perspective.ObjectiveTo examine the effects of optimal defaults on calories ordered, dietary autonomy, and visit intention in the context of a fast-food drive-through.DesignBetween-subjects randomized scenario-based experiment.Participants/settingIn all, 377 adults who lived in the United States were recruited through a crowdsourcing platform in July 2020.InterventionParticipants were asked to visualize ordering a combo meal in a fast-food drive-through. They were randomly assigned to order from 1 of 3 menu boards: (1) menu items available for combos by customer choice, (2) combos that included traditional high-calorie default items, or (3) combos that included low-calorie optimal defaults.Main outcome measuresDifferences in calories ordered among groups, dietary autonomy, and restaurant visit intention.AnalysisStatistical tests included multiple regression, Kruskal-Wallis, χ², and 1-way analysis of variance. Covariates such as education and sex were tested in regression models as potential confounders.ResultsCompared with the choice combo meals, optimal combo meals reduced calories ordered by consumers (?337 kcal, standard error = 19, P < .001), while traditional combos increased them (+132 kcal, standard error = 20, P < .001). No significant difference was found in visit intention. Dietary autonomy was affected by the optimal defaults (P = .025), even in participants with high health concern. Conversely, the traditional combo’s effect on dietary autonomy was moderated by health concern (B = ?0.26, P = .023), with only individuals with very high levels of health concern perceiving less autonomy.ConclusionsOptimal defaults provided a robust reduction in calories ordered but had implications for dietary autonomy.