Fast Food Consumption of U.S. Adults: Impact on Energy and Nutrient Intakes and Overweight Status

To compare the diet quality and overweight status of free-living adults, ages 20 years and older, grouped based on their fast food intake status.

USDA's 1994 to 1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII 1994-1996) data was used. Three separate analyses were conducted: (1) effect of fast food on diet quality of males and females based on day-one data, (2) comparison of dietary and overweight status of adults who ate fast food on one- two- or none of survey days and (3) within-person analysis comparing energy and macronutrient intakes of adults who ate fast food on one of the two survey days. SUDAAN software package was used in pair-wise mean comparisons and regression analyses (alpha = 0.05).