ABSTRACT
The fast food environment is linked with poor diet quality, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Higher intakes of fast food are associated with lower vegetable intake, higher trans-fats and higher free (added) sugars consumption. The availability of fast food has increased in the last decade in many places; in the UK, availability has increased more in disadvantaged areas, thus widening inequalities in diet and health. Particular attention is now focussed on accessibility of fast food outlets near work and schools as well as homes. This chapter reviews the evidence for the impact of number and density of fast food outlets on diet quality and health outcomes such as obesity and looks at existing policies to reduce availability and accessibility of fast food. Fast food deliveries which increase accessibility of fast food are now common and are also discussed. Although there is less information on the impact of diet and health related to other aspects of the out-of-home sector such as cafes, these are also covered briefly. Suggestions are made for further improving the out-of-home sector such as expanding the ranges of healthier fast food rather than focussing solely on reducing access to fast food.
