Does it surprise you that people who eat fast food several times per week weigh significantly more than those who don't eat fast food very often? It's no shock to me that a study released on Monday reveals what every one of us should already know: Fast food makes us fat.

Each additional fast-food meal packs on the pounds, according to a Temple University obesity study that reveals these specific facts:

• The weight of people who consumed three to six fast-food meals a week was significantly higher than those who consumed no fast food or ate one to two such meals per week.

• Every additional fast-food meal during the week was associated with a 1 1/2-pound increase in body weight. There may be factors other than fast-food here -- like a sedentary lifestyle of people who tend to eat fast food, for example.

• About 50 percent of respondents -- there were 4,600 in all -- said they'd be more likely to eat healthy options if offered as part of a value meal, and 41 percent would like to have nutritional information on menus. This data offers clues about what might help people make healthier choices.

Source