Not so fast: One study s contradictory conclusions about kids and fast food

A British study just published in BMJ has drawn some odd conclusions about fast food consumption among inner-city kids in London. The study actually found that children who more frequently ate fast food had a body mass index (BMI) lower than their peers who didn t consume it as often. Yet the researchers still insist that actions should be taken to limit these children's access to fast food. We wonder: Is it possible that the key to this contradictory conclusion lies in the researchers already established agenda?

For the purposes of their study, researchers in England examined the diets of nearly 200 schoolchildren, ages 11 to 14, in a low-income borough of London. They were particularly interested in the relationship between the children's BMI and how often they ate fast food. Thus the children, who self-reported their gender, age, and ethnicity, were asked how many times a week they purchased food or drinks from a fast food outlet. Over half said that they usually purchased fast food fare "more than two to three times a week." Yet the results do not lend themselves to any kind of neat conclusion. That is, while about a third of the kids were overweight or obese, those with the highest BMIs were less likely to consume fast food as often as their leaner peers.

The researchers conclude that, because these schoolchildren "are exposed to an obesogenic environment, it is not surprising that ¦many of these children are already overweight and will likely become obese as adults." To which those around the ACSH table say, "What?" "The popular wisdom is that fast food equals excess calories," says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. "Yet the results of this study indicate that's not necessarily the case. The researchers conclusions seem to rely on their own biases." The study results are worth looking at, Dr. Whelan notes. "It's just the authors' interpretation that's questionable."

Furthermore, as ACSH s Dr. Ruth Kava points out, The fact that all the data were provided by the students themselves also weakens this study. It s impossible to tell whether, or to what extent, the study subjects over- or under-reported their body weights or intake of fast foods.