Fast-food consumption and body mass index in children and adolescents: an international cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether reported fast-food consumption over the previous year is associated with higher childhood or adolescent body mass index (BMI). DESIGN: Secondary analysis from a multicentre, multicountry cross-sectional study (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) Phase Three). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Parents/guardians of children aged 6-7 completed questionnaires which included questions about their children's asthma and allergies, fast-food consumption, height and weight. Adolescents aged 13-14 completed the same questionnaire. The questionnaire asked 'In the past 12 months, how often on average did you (your child) eat fast-food/burgers?' The resp…