Mixed
Increased per capita fast food consumption is independently associated with higher mean population body mass index (BMI) in high-income countries, with each 1-unit increase in annual fast food transactions linked to a 0.033 kg/m² increase in BMI.
In high-income countries, higher availability and consumption of fast food are linked to higher average body weights. This link is partly driven by the soft drinks often consumed with fast food, rather than just the fat or total calories in the food itself. Policy changes that restrict market deregulation may help curb the spread of fast food and its associated health impacts.
each 1-unit increase in annual fast food transactions per capita was associated with an increase of 0.033 kg/m2 in age-standardized BMI (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.013–0.052).
Why this rating
High-quality observational design (multivariate panel regression, 25 countries, 10 years) with robustness checks and instrumental variable analysis, though limited by ecological data and potential residual confounding.
Source
The influence of market deregulation on fast food consumption and body mass index: a cross-national time series analysis
Roberto De Vogli et al. · Bulletin of the World Health Organization · 2014
DOI 10.2471/blt.13.120287
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