Fast-food consumers in Singapore: demographic profile, diet quality and weight status

Objective: To determine the demographic profile of fast-food consumers among adult Singapore residents and ascertain whether fast-food consumption frequency is associated with diet quality and weight status. Design: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey including an FFQ and anthropometric measures. Participants were grouped based on their fast-food consumption frequency as non-consumer, occasional consumer or regular consumer, with regular defined as at least once per week. Setting: Individuals living in the community in Singapore. Subjects: Singapore residents (n 1627) aged 18-69 years of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicity. Results: Proportions of regular fast-food consumers were higher in younger age groups, higher income groups and middle education level groups. Mean daily energy intake was positively associated with fast-food consumption frequency (non-consumers 9636 kJ (2303 kcal); occasional consumers 11 159 kJ (2667 kcal); regular consumers 13 100 kJ (3131 kcal); P for trend < 0.001). Fast-food consumers were more likely to exceed the RDA for energy, fat and saturated fat, and less likely to meet wholegrain and fruit recommendations. Both regular consumers (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.03, 1.51) and occasional consumers (OR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.32, 1.77) were more likely to have a waist: hip ratio indicating abdominal obesity. Occasional consumers were more likely to have a BMI >= 23.0 kg/m(2) (OR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.04, 1.37), whereas regular consumers were less likely (OR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.64, 0.91) to have an 'at-risk' BMI. Conclusions: Fast-food consumption is most prevalent in young adults, high income and middle education level groups. Frequent fast-food consumption in Singapore is associated with unfavourable dietary and nutrient profiles and abdominal obesity.