The Relationship of Fast Food with Body Mass Index and Waist Cir-cumference in Girls from Isfahan, Iran

According to high prevalence of obesity and central adiposity in adolescents and its relevance with food intake, the aim of this research was to determine the relation between fast food consumption and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in female adolescents. This study was conducted on 140 students aged 10 to 14 years, selected randomly among guidance school students in an area of Isfahan. They completed the quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by recording daily activities. BMI was categorized to lower than 15th percentile for age and sex, named "low weight", between 15th to 85th percentile named "normal weight", between 85th to 95th percentile "overweight" and equal or more than 95th percentile named "obese". The mean value of BMI and waist circumference was 19.8 ± 3.3 kg/m2 and 69 ± 9 cm. 35.7% of these adolescents were either obese or overweight. The daily mean value of fast food intake was 174.6 g. There was a significant relation among fast food consumption, BMI and waist circumference (P < 0.05). Those in the highest quartile of fast food intake had higher BMI and waist circumference compared to those in the first quartile (P < 0.001). There was a significant association between fast food consumption and BMI and waist circumference among Isfahan female adolescents. Nutritional education is needed in this regard.