According to a study in the August 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, "eating location and food source significantly impact daily energy intake for children". It was found that fast foods and food prepared away form home were responsible for the increase in total calorie intake in children.
The study highlighted the rapid shift in food sources for children finding that most kids tend to consume food that was prepared outside of the home. Fast foods make up a greater proportion of the calorie intake compared to home made food. This is not at all surprising when fast food chains dangle brightly coloured toys with their kids meals. Add the convenience of just buying supper after a long, hard day at work, it's not unbelievable at all.
More on fast food and your child:
Should fast food TV ads be banned?
Fast food restaurants target kids
Veggies vs burgers
Fast food + nearby schools = fat kids
How often do your kids eat out?
The study highlighted the rapid shift in food sources for children finding that most kids tend to consume food that was prepared outside of the home. Fast foods make up a greater proportion of the calorie intake compared to home made food. This is not at all surprising when fast food chains dangle brightly coloured toys with their kids meals. Add the convenience of just buying supper after a long, hard day at work, it's not unbelievable at all.
More on fast food and your child:
Should fast food TV ads be banned?
Fast food restaurants target kids
Veggies vs burgers
Fast food + nearby schools = fat kids
How often do your kids eat out?