European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 17, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Make it not fancy by Richard Morin Washington Post America is enjoying one whopper of a big Mac attack according to a National Survey by the Washington Post. The poll shows that americans done to expect fancy food under the Golden Arches or beneath the Taco Bell nor do we expect particularly healthful food. Cheap fast and filling that a the recipe for the food that Many americans love to hate and eat anyway. Who eats fast food a nearly half a 48 percent a of those interviewed said they eat fast food at least once a week. Four percent say they eat it once a Day which translates into roughly 8 million fast food aficionados. A younger people Are far More Likely than older people to eat fast food. Nearly six out of 10 respondents Between 18 and 34 years of age say they eat fast food at least once a week compared to just one out of four persons 65 years old or older. A Middle income americans Are More Likely to eat fast food than Are the very poor or the relatively affluent. Only about a third of those with household incomes less than $15,000 a year say they eat fast food at least once a week compared to six out of 10 in families with incomes Between $25,000 and $50,000. A there s a fast food gender Gap men eat fast food somewhat More often than women. And men Are far less Likely to doubt the nutritional benefits of fast food than Are women. A the Survey even found that republicans Are More Likely than democrats to eat fast food 51 percent of All republicans but 43 percent of All democrats eat at fast Foo restaurants at least once a week according to the poll. To measure attitudes toward fast food the Post interviewed 1,002 randomly selected adults nationwide. Margin of sampling error for the Overall results is plus or minus 3 percentage Points. Why do americans eat at fast food restaurants because its fast says a 44-percent plurality of those interviewed. Six percent say they eat at fast food restaurants mainly because they like the food the same percentage who eat there primarily because it is a Quot Good place to eat if Vou have  nutrition thank you but not while i m eating fast food. Fewer than 1 percent say the biggest reason they eat fast food is because it is nutritious. While for Many americans a trip to the neighbourhood fast food restaurant has become the routine for others it is a special occasion. The second most frequently cited reason for eating at fast food restaurants is that they Are Quot something different a break from the  that is particularly True of less affluent and older respondents. Nearly four out of 10 persons with household incomes of less than $15,000 a year say the major reason they eat at a fast food restaurant is because it provides a welcomed break from the routine. In contrast Only about one out of 10 persons with household incomes greater than $40,000 a year goes to fast food restaurants facts do Jour source the Gallup organization for cooking Light and Hippocrates magazines primarily for this reason. Similarly a third of All persons 65 and older says the primary reason they go to a fast food restaurant is because it is something different compared to one out of five respondents under the age of 35. Whether they eat fast food often or eat it infrequently Many americans appear to feel a bit guilty about eating so much of it. More than half �?54 percent a of those interviewed acknowledge that fast food is Quot not too Good Quot or Quot not Good at All Quot for you. Remarkably this View varies Little Between frequent and occasional fast food eaters. Among those who eat at fast food restaurants at least several times a week 51 percent say it in t too Good for you. Among those who go just once a month or less often 53 percent say it Isnit too Good for you. Among those who never eat it eight out of 10 say fast food is not healthful. Many americans say they have Cut Down on certain fast food delicacies because of concerns about health. In fact nearly half a 47 percent including those who most frequently eat at fast food restaurants a say they have stopped ordering or Cut Back on certain items because of concerns about nutrition. That View is most frequently expressed by Middle aged respondents wealthier people and women 50 percent of All women compared to 44 percent of All men report they have changed their fast food eating habits because of concerns about nutrition. Its these concerns no doubt that led Mcdonald a to its current test marketing of a Low fat hamburger. The fast food giant announced the consumer test this week about four in 10 respondents say they try to eat something healthier after a meal at a fast food restaurant a a View expressed by far More women than men. Nearly three out of four respondents also say fast food restaurants should be required to provide nutrition information on the wrappers or containers of the food they sell. But the Survey results suggest that most americans would look the other Way even if such information were widely available. Currently Mcdonald s will provide nutritional information to those customers who request it. Of those who have eaten at Mcdonald a 94 percent acknowledge they have never asked for the brochure a including More than nine out of 10 people who support nutrition labels on fast food. 02/19/90 Krten inf graphics / Bill Baker a a Christma Holiday Bonus All children a Christmas books have been discounted 25% or More from regular Price now available at most stars and stripes  17. 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 17