Young adults and eating away from home: associations with dietary intake patterns and weight status differ by choice of restaurant.
BACKGROUND
Young adults report frequent away-from-home eating; however, little is known regarding what types of restaurants are patronized or whether associations with dietary intake and weight status differ according to restaurant type.


OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study in a diverse sample of young adults examines sociodemographic differences in the frequency of eating at different types of fast-food and full-service (server brings food to table) restaurants. In addition, this study examines whether associations between away-from-home eating, dietary intake, and weight status differ according to restaurant type.


METHODS
There were 1,030 men and 1,257 women (mean age=25.3 years) who participated in Project EAT-III (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults). Participants were members of a longitudinal cohort who completed baseline surveys at schools in Minneapolis/St Paul, MN, and completed the EAT-III surveys online or by mail in 2008-2009.


METHODS
Height, weight, and usual dietary intake were self-reported.


METHODS
Regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics were used to examine associations between frequency of restaurant use, dietary intake, and weight status.


RESULTS
More frequent use of fast-food restaurants that primarily served burgers and french fries was associated with higher risk for overweight/obesity; higher intake of total energy, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fat; and with lower intake of healthful foods and key nutrients. For example, those who reported burger-and-fries restaurant use on three or more occasions per week consumed nearly one additional sugar-sweetened beverage per day compared to those who reported burger-and-fries restaurant use on less than one occasion per week. More frequent use of fast-food restaurants that primarily served sandwiches/subs was related to a few markers of poorer diet quality, but unrelated to weight status. More frequent use of full-service restaurants was also unrelated to weight status and related to higher intake of vegetables.


CONCLUSIONS
There may be a need for interventions to promote healthier food choices among young adults who report frequent burger-and-fries restaurant use.
Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. larsonn@umn.edu
Nicole
N
Larson
Dianne
D
Neumark-Sztainer
Melissa Nelson
MN
Laska
Mary
M
Story
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012147:Restaurants / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables
D004041:Dietary Fats; D019422:Dietary Sucrose