There is a concern that fast food may cause weight gain. A recent study reported that eating at a fast food restaurant or
more times per week was associated with a 10 pound weight gain over a 2 year period based on a relative risk of 2.5. Based on
the outcome can you conclude that eating fast food causes obesity and is the risk increased or decreased for someone who eats
2 or more times a week at a fast food restaurant?
When populations are studied and data and statistics are gathered, the information makes it possible to make comparisons
among populations. In this epidemiologic study, it was found that a 10 pound weight gain was incurred over a 2 year period in
people that at fast food 2 or more times per week with a relative risk of 2.5. Statistics define relative risk as the risk
ratio of those exposed to the stressor (in this case fast food) to those not exposed. The relative risk factor in this study
was 2.5 which means that those in the population who ate fast food 2 or more times a week were 2.5 times more likely to
develop obesity as a result then those who did not eat fast food.
Based on the data from this study I do conclude that eating fast food causes obesity. The risk is 2.5 times higher for
someone who eats fast food 2 or more times a week. However, what also must be considered are other contributing factors as
part of the assessment of the data. THE fast food consumption may not be the only cause of the obesity. These factors may
include urban living and lack of ability to exercise, lower income necessitating the consummation of less healthy food and
increased consumption of fast food, and genetics. An expanded assessment of the other risk factors would help support a
rounded action plan to correct or reduce the obesity issues.
