Fast-Food Patronage and Obesity Prevalence during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Alternative Explanation.

In a study recently published in Obesity, Ashby (1) examined how unhealthy eating, defined as patronage to eating establishments serving unhealthy foods (i.e., fast food ), was associated with adult obesity prevalence, the food environment, and poverty across counties in the United States (U.S.) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ashby found that while patronage to fast food eating establishments declined, counties with greater adult obesity prevalence saw less steep declines.