Obesity and Fast Food Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
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Are 400-calorie sodas, 1,520-calorie burgers and ice-cream drinks packing 39 grams of saturated fat driving America’s obesity epidemic? Consider the evidence: In one study that followed thousands of young adults for 15 years, those eating fast food more than twice weekly gained ten pounds more than those who indulged less often. Teens whose schools are within easiest walking distance of burger joints are more likely to be obese. And every fast food meal a 10-year-old eats per week increases her body weight by 1.7 pounds. Burgers and fries aren’t the only reason we’re gaining weight, of course. But big portions, hidden calories and frequent consumption make fast food a major factor for many.
Fast Facts:- It’s easy to low-ball fast-food calories and overeat without realizing it. In one study, people underestimated calories in restaurant meals by as much as 600.
- Children eat almost twice as many calories when eating out compared to meals at home.
- Skip the extras. Bacon, cheese, croutons, mayo and creamy dressings adds hundreds of extra calories to a burger, chicken sandwich or otherwise healthy salad.
- Never say yes to crispy. Gotta hit the drive-through? Get your chicken grilled and skinless. Frying doubles the calories and quadruples the fat.
- Check calories online for your usual haunts. Most fast-food joints aren’t posting calorie counts on menu boards yet. So look for them on a chain’s website.
Nutrition :: McDonalds.com
mcdonalds.com — “You rely on us to deliver quality food, and we take that responsibility very seriously. From our dietitians to our suppliers, we're dedicated to making you feel good about choosing McDonald's.” View full resource at mcdonalds.com
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