Researchers Link Takeout Meals to Higher Fat Intake by Children

A new study has found a direct link between eating takeout meals often and higher fat intake by children.

The study, published earlier this year, looked at data on 1,948 children who were either 9- or 10-year-olds. Of the participants, 499 (26 percent) never or hardly ever consumed a takeout meal; 894 (46 percent) did so less than once a week and 555 (28 percent) did so at least once a week.

Higher Intakes of Fat

The study, published in BMJ, shows that eating takeout meals more than once a week was associated with higher intakes of fat energy, saturated fat, and lower intake of protein and micronutrients.