FAST FOOD

Fast food consumption is strongly associated with adverse health and longevity outcomes, including an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders, and premature mortality. Although the health risks of frequent fast food consumption have been recognized for some time, our data indicate that a decline in consumption among Americans is a relatively recent trend. Specifically, fast food intake increased between 2007 and 2017, but has shown a decline in the years following 2017. 

Almost a third of young and middle-aged Americans (ages 25-54) consume over 20% of their daily calories from fast food. 

Highly educated people (college plus) are the least likely to eat fast food excessively. However, excessive fast food consumption rates are similar among people with some college, high school diplomas, and those who did not graduate from high school. At the same time, and somewhat surprisingly, income is not strongly associated with excessive 

fast food consumption. In fact, Americans who report the lowest income are less likely to eat fast food three or more times a week across almost all age groups.