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Fast food intake in Canada: Differences among Canadians with diverse demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics

  • Quantitative Research
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Abstract

Objectives

To estimate the contribution of fast food to daily energy intake, and compare intake among Canadians with varied demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics.

Methods

Using the National Cancer Institute method, nationally representative estimates of mean usual daily caloric intake from fast food were derived from 24-hour dietary recall data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.2 (n = 17,509) among participants age ≥2 years. Mean daily intake and relative proportion of calories derived from fast food were compared among respondents with diverse demographic (age, sex, provincial and rural/urban residence), socio-economic (income, education, food security status) and health and lifestyle characteristics (physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake, vitamin/ mineral supplement use, smoking, binge drinking, body mass index (BMI), self-rated health and dietary quality).

Results

On average, Canadians reported consuming 146 kcal/day from fast food, contributing to 6.3% of usual energy intake. Intake was highest among male teenagers (248 kcal) and lowest among women ≥70 years of age (32 kcal). Fast food consumption was significantly higher among respondents who reported lower fruit and vegetable intake, poorer dietary quality, binge drinking, not taking vitamin/mineral supplements (adults only), and persons with higher BMI. Socio-economic status, physical activity, smoking and self-rated health were not significantly associated with fast food intake.

Conclusion

While average Canadian fast food consumption is lower than national US estimates, intake was associated with lower dietary quality and higher BMI. Findings suggest that research and intervention strategies should focus on dietary practices of children and adolescents, whose fast food intakes are among the highest in Canada.

Résumé

Objectifs

Estimer la contribution des produits de restauration rapide à l’apport énergétique quotidien des Canadiens et examiner comment varie la consommation de ce type d’aliments en fonction des habitudes de vie et de certaines caractéristiques démographiques et socioéconomiques.

Méthodes

Des estimés représentatifs à l’échelle nationale de l’apport calorique moyen provenant d’aliments de restauration rapide ont été dérivés à l’aide des données du cycle 2.2 de l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes pour un sous-échantillon de répondants âgés de deux ans et plus (n = 17 509). La méthodologie employée est celle du National Cancer Institute. Les apports quotidiens moyens et la proportion relative de calories issues d’aliments de restauration rapide ont été comparés en fonction des caractéristiques démographiques (âge, sexe, province et lieu de résidence rural/urbain), socioéconomiques (revenu, éducation, sécurité alimentaire) et des habitudes de vie (niveau d’activité physique, consommation de fruits et légumes, prise de suppléments de vitamines et de minéraux, tabagisme, consommation excessive d’alcool, indice de masse corporelle (IMC), perception de son état de santé et qualité des habitudes alimentaires).

Résultats

En moyenne, les Canadiens consommaient au moment de l’enquête 146 kcal de produits de restauration rapide par jour, ce qui représente 6,3% de l’apport énergétique quotidien habituel. Les adolescents de sexe masculin étaient caractérisés par les apports les plus élevés (248 kcal/jour) alors que les apports les plus faibles se retrouvaient chez les femmes de 70 ans ou plus (32 kcal/jour). La consommation de produits de restauration rapide était significativement supérieure chez les répondants ayant déclaré une plus faible consommation de fruits et légumes de même que des habitudes alimentaires de moindre qualité, qui ne prenaient pas de suppléments de vitamines ou de minéraux (adultes seulement) et dont l’IMC était plus élevé. Le statut socioéconomique, le niveau d’activité physique, le tabagisme et la perception de son état de santé n’étaient pas associés à la consommation d’aliments de restauration rapide.

Conclusion

Bien que la consommation moyenne de produits de restauration rapide au Canada soit inférieure aux estimations qui existent pour les États-Unis, elle apparaît liée à des habitudes alimentaires de moindre qualité et à un IMC plus élevé. Les résultats suggèrent que la recherche et les stratégies d’intervention devraient se concentrer sur les enfants et les adolescents, dont les apports habituels figurent parmi les plus élevés au Canada.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2205 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Jennifer L. Black PhD, RD

  2. Microdata Access Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Jean-Michel Billette PhD

Authors
  1. Jennifer L. Black PhD, RD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer L. Black PhD, RD.

Additional information

Disclaimers: While the research and analyses were based on data from Statistics Canada, the views and opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Statistics Canada. Additionally, all errors and omissions remain the sole responsibility of the authors.

Acknowledgements of sources of support: Jennifer Black has received prior support from the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, Canada and the University of British Columbia Food, Nutrition and Health Vitamin Research Fund to support analyses of the Canadian Community Health Survey version 2.2. However, the study described in this manuscript was not directly supported by any funding agency.

Conflict of Interest: None to declare.

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Black, J.L., Billette, JM. Fast food intake in Canada: Differences among Canadians with diverse demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics. Can J Public Health 106, e52–e58 (2015). https://doi.org/10.17269/CJPH.106.4658

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