Coronary rates linked to fast food prevalence

A Canadian study by the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences claims that areas with more fast food restaurants also have higher rates of heart disease and death. (As reported today by CTV and Canoe.) The study looked at 380 regions in Ontario and calculated the per capita rate of fast food restaurants and compared them with the coronary and mortality rates in those regions. Dr. David Alter, an ICES scientist: "Our study sends a strong message at a time when obesity rates in adults and children are rising rapidly across the nation."

In a not at all surprising move, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association has quickly posted a press release refuting the claims of the study and calling into question its research methods: "The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences has released a highly flawed study on restaurants in Ontario which is riddled with contradictions."