We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

How Much Fast Food Do Americans Eat?

Americans get an estimated 11% of their total calorie intake from fast food. The total spending on fast food in the US is more than $110 billion US Dollars (USD) annually. Non-Hispanic black males typically eat the highest percentage of fast food, with more than 20% of their calories coming from fast food, on average. The prevalence of quick-service restaurants in the US is thought to contribute to the increasing prevalence of obesity. More than one-third of all Americans are obese, it is estimated, and obese people consume more of their calories from quick-service restaurants. From 2007 to 2010, individuals of normal weights consumed less than 10% of their calories from fast food, compared with 13% by obese people.

More about fast-food consumption:

  • In 1970, the annual spending on convenience food in the US was $6 billion USD, compared with more than $110 billion USD in 2010.

  • American chain restaurants' food servings are about 25% larger than the same chain restaurants' servings in France.

  • China ranks second among all countries in fast-food consumption, but the Chinese still spend only about half of what Americans spend on it.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By anon335623 — On May 22, 2013

Because fast food can be cheap with the dollar menus, they are so convenient. As a working mother whose husband left because he couldn't stand the strain, I worked 10 to 12 hours per day to support the three children we had.

The first was disabled, requiring surgeries, therapy, and doctor appointments, the second was bi-polar and also required therapy and the last is just suffering emotionally. With all that, I had little time to cook, so the drive-throughs got us through.

My daughter and I also have pco and ptc, and we are both obese. However, both my sons are very, very thin. I think being female and the pco and ptc contributed to our being overweight. However, I was heavy before the drive-through portion of our lives.

I dieted frequently following doctors' orders. I would actually not eat for a few days at a time. When I was the proper weight and just beginning to gain, he told me, "When you weight goes up 3 pounds, just don't eat until you've lost it." That method worked for a while, but then it didn't anymore. I held tremendous amounts of water, gaining 10 pounds in a day. I did not understand about salt and water retention.

I have pit edema, and have had it since age 18. If the doctor would give me a shot to help get rid of water, I would drop 8 or 10 pounds in a matter of hours. I always thought the 2 or 3 pounds I could gain in a day was actual fat, and would give up and just eat whatever.

If I could go back 40 years with the knowledge I have today, things would probably be different.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.