(09-06-14) Associations between exposure to takeaway food outlets, takeaway food consumption, and body weight in Cambridgeshire, UK

: population based, cross sectional study

Abstract
Objectives To examine the association between environmental exposure to
takeaway food outlets, takeaway food consumption, and body weight, while
accounting for home, work place, and commuting route environments.
Design Population based, cross sectional study, using data on individual
participants’ diet and weight, and objective metrics of food environment
exposure.
Participants Working adults participating in the Fenland Study,
Cambridgeshire, UK (n=5442, aged 29-62 years), who provided home and work
addresses and commuting preferences. Takeaway food outlet exposure was derived
using data from local authorities for individual environmental domains (at
home, at work, and along commuting routes (the shortest route between home and
work)), and for exposure in all three domains combined. Exposure was divided
into quarters (Q); Q1 being the least exposed and Q4 being the most exposed.
Main outcome measures Self reported consumption of takeaway type food (g/day;
pizza, burgers, fried foods, and chips) using food frequency questionnaires,
measured body mass index, and cut-offs for body mass index as defined by the
World Health Organization.
Results In multiple linear regression models, exposure to takeaway food
outlets was positively associated with consumption of takeaway food. Among
domains at home, at work, and along commuting routes, associations were
strongest in work environments (Q4 v Q1; â coefficient=5.3 g/day, 95%
confidence interval 1.6 to 8.7; P<0.05), with evidence of a dose-response
effect. Associations between exposure in all three domains combined and
consumption were greater in magnitude across quarters of exposure (Q4 v Q1; 5.7
g/day, 2.6 to 8.8; P<0.001), with evidence of a dose-response effect. Combined
exposure was especially strongly associated with increased body mass index (Q4
v Q1; body mass index 1.21, 0.68 to 1.74; P<0.001) and odds of obesity (Q4 v
Q1; odds ratio 1.80, 1.28 to 2.53; P<0.05). There was no evidence of effect
modification by sex.
Conclusions Exposure to takeaway food outlets in home, work, and commuting
environments combined was associated with marginally higher consumption of
takeaway food, greater body mass index, and greater odds of obesity. Government
strategies to promote healthier diets through planning restrictions for
takeaway food could be most effective if focused around the workplace.

Source: BMJ 2014; 348 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g1464 (Published 13
March 2014)
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;348:g1464

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