Associations between the fast-food environment and diabetes prevalence

[Amity Island]

387 195 adults were surveyed, 284 793 of whom were included in the study. 22 951 (8%) reported having diabetes. Fast-food outlet exposures were positively associated with diabetes prevalence.

Associations between the fast-food environment and diabetes prevalence in the Netherlands: a cross-sectional study

The results confirm the evidence that the fast-food outlet environment is a diabetes risk factor. All data included were at the individual level and the variability was ensured by the spatial distribution and number of participants. In this study, we only accounted for residential exposure...

www.thelancet.com

 

[mikeyB]

Well, 6% of the UK population have diabetes. I reckon most of that 6% live within reach of a fast food outlet with delivery. And what is the supposed cure for this - shut down all fast food outlets?

 

[Bloden]

Well, 6% of the UK population have diabetes. I reckon most of that 6% live within reach of a fast food outlet with delivery. And what is the supposed cure for this - shut down all fast food outlets?

Sounds sensible to me. 😉

 

[Deleted member 21371]

They don't state what "Fast Food" is in the survey.

Dutch seafood is popular (like our "fast" fish and chips)
Waffles?
Japanese?
Chinese?
Subway?

Or are they specifically targeting burger bars, pizza and KFC?

 

[Eddy Edson]

Tiny effect size ...

The effect estimates were small for all indicators. For example, in the 400 m buffer in the urban environment, the odds ratio (OR) for having diabetes among people with a fast-food outlet present compared with those without, was 1·006 (95% CI 1·003–1·009) using the presence indicator. The presence indicator showed higher effect estimates and the most consistent results across buffer sizes (ranging from OR 1·005 [95% CI 1·000–1·010] with the 1000 m buffer to 1·016 [1·005–1·028] with the 1500 m buffer in urban areas and from 1·002 [0·998–1·005] with the 1500 m buffer to 1·009 [1·006–1·018] with the 100 m buffer in rural areas) compared with the density and ratio indicators.

I'd guess this wouldn't look like a big call to action (versus other measures) for policy makers.