Study: Fast Food Calorie Content Has Steadily Increased Over the Past 30 Years

The calorie content at the most popular U.S. fast food restaurants has shot up over the past three decades, according to a new study. The study, published this week in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, compared food at 10 fast food restaurants: Arby’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Dairy Queen, Hardee’s, Jack in the Box, KFC, Long John Silver’s, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. The study looked at the restaurants’ food in 1986, 1991 and 2016. Researchers found that, on average, the calorie content of entrees went up by 30 calories a decade, while the calorie content of desserts went up by 62 calories a decade. Menu items also had a major increase in sodium content – about a 4.6% daily value increase per decade for entrees, the study said. “Despite the vast number of choices offered at fast food restaurants, some of which are healthier than others, the calories, portion sizes and sodium content overall have worsened (increased) over time and remain high,” Megan McCroy, the study’s lead investigator, said in a statement. Portion sizes for both entrees and desserts increased from decade to decade. The portion size of entrees went up by about 13 grams a decade, while desserts got 24 grams larger. The size of side dishes remained the same. The study’s authors say that they chose to study fast food, in part, because Americans consume so much of it. Additionally, about 40% of American adults between 20 an...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized diet Fast Food onetime restaurants Source Type: news