Youths Familiar With TV Fast-Food Ads Are More Likely To Be Obese

Teenagers and young adults who are aware of and receptive to fast-food ads on television are at greater risk of obesity, according to a U.S. study. The researchers polled more than 3,000 youths ages 15 to 23 years about their height and weight, exercise, and dietary habits, including frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants. They were also asked if they were familiar with 20 images taken from fast-food restaurant ads. About 18 percent were found to be overweight, and 15 percent were obese. But the percentage of youths who were obese was significantly higher among those who recognized more fast-food ads than those who recognized few ads (17 percent vs. 8.3 percent).