Every time we are tempted to eat fast food, the most well-known representative of which are hamburgers, we increase our body mass index by 0.03, a new study reveals.
The data show that for the period 1999-2008 the number of meals eaten per year of the type of "fast food" per person increased from 27 to 33. For the same period the body mass index in 25 of the high-income countries has increased increased from 25, 8 to 26, 4.
Based on these results, researchers at the University of California, Davis, estimate that each such dish adds 0.03 to the body mass index .
When the values are from 18.5 to 24.9, the weight is considered healthy. Indicators from 25 to 29.9 indicate overweight, and if the body mass index is higher than 30, we are already talking about obesity .
According to researchers, governments could reduce, even reverse, the growing obesity epidemic by taking steps to regulate the consumption of such snacks.
The data show that the sharpest increases are in Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, while the lowest are in countries with tighter market regulation, such as Italy, the Netherlands, Greece and Belgium.
The researchers found that animal fat intake fell slightly from 212 calories per person in 1999 to 206 in 2008. Experts also found that calorie intake increased slightly between 2002 and 2008, from 3,432 to 3,437.
The study, published in a bulletin of the National Health Organization, emphasizes the importance of a targeted policy to tackle the
obesity epidemic .