Fast Food Remains Key Stable in California Children's Diets, Study Says

By City News Service

Fast food continues to be a staple in the diets of California's young children, and many fail to eat recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, according to a study released today by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

According to researchers, 60 percent of children aged 2-5 surveyed for the study said they had eaten fast food at least once in the previous week. The study also found that only 57 percent of parents reported that their child ate at least five services of fruits and vegetables the previous day.

"A weekly happy meal is an unhappy solution, especially for toddlers," according to Susan Holtby, the study's lead author and senior researcher at the center. "Hard-working, busy parents need support to make health food selections for their kids."

On the positive side, the study found a general decline in children's consumption of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, but researchers said that progress was offset by the prevalence of fast food.

"Fast food combined with drinking soda at such a young age can set these kids up for obesity-related health problems," Holtby said.

The study found that in 2007 and 2009, two-thirds of children between 2 and 5 ate at least one fast food meal during the previous week, while 29 percent ate two or more. About 10 percent had eaten three or more fast food meals.

Asian children eat the fewest fruits and vegetables of any ethnic group, with only 40 percent of Asian children eating at least five servings a day, the study found.

Authors of the study, funded by First 5 California, said the data can be used to determine which communities would benefit most from campaigns encouraging healthy eating.

"Simple messages and programs can reinforce what every parent wants -- the good health of their children," according to Camille Maben, executive director of First 5 California. "This shows there is more work to be done to reach families with the critical education and support they need."