Prevalence of Fast-Food Outlets Allegedly Linked to Diabetes Rates

A new study has reportedly found that U.K. residents with at least two fast-food restaurants within 500 meters of their homes have significantly increased odds of developing Type-2 diabetes. Danielle Bodicoat, et al., “Is the number of fast-food outlets in the neighborhood related to screen-detected type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors?,” Public Health Nutrition, November 2014. After analyzing data from three cross-sectional studies with a total of 10,000 participants, University of Leicester researchers estimated that for every additional two outlets per neighborhood, the population would have one additional diabetes case, “assuming a causal relationship between the fast-food outlets and diabetes.”

“The observed association between the number of fast-food outlets with obesity and type 2 diabetes does not come as a surprise; fast-food is high in total fat, trans-fatty acids and sodium, portion sizes have increased two to fivefold over the last 50 years and a single fast-food meal provides approximately 5860 kJ (1400 kcal). Furthermore, fast-food outlets often provide sugar-rich drinks,” said one of the study authors. See University of Leicester Press Release, November 11, 2014.

Issue 545