NCHS Data Briefs

NCHS Data Brief, No. 322 - Fast Food Consumption Among Adults in the
United States, 2013–2016.

During 2013–2016, approximately 37% of adults consumed fast food on a given day. The overall percentage of adults who consumed fast food decreased with age, increased with income, and was higher among non-Hispanic black persons compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. In addition, a higher percentage of non-Hispanic white adults consumed fast food than did non-Hispanic Asian adults. Among men and women who consumed fast food, a higher percentage of men ate it for lunch, while a higher percentage of women ate it as a snack.

Fast food consumption has been associated with increased intake of calories, fat, and sodium (4). A previous report estimated that adults consumed 11.3% of their total daily calories from fast food (1). Consumers can find nutritional information on calories on the menu in most fast food establishments and restaurants (5).

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