This paper discusses the need and suitability for an Empirical Modelling approach for the provision of business optimisation support. This is with particular reference to the fast food industry, with a model of this environment being created. Its limitations, and those of EM as a whole in this area are also discussed.

The purpose of this project is to analyze the impact of a minimum wage increase on the probability of being employed in the fast food industry in selected states and to test the hypothesis that this impact may be different in different regions of the United States. Our study uses the Current Population Survey (CPS) and focuses on four states divided in two groups. The first group includes Vermo...

Objective Higher serum phosphorus concentrations are associated with cardiovascular disease events and mortality. Low socioeconomic status is linked with higher serum phosphorus, but the reasons are unclear. Poor individuals disproportionately consume inexpensive processed foods commonly enriched with phosphorus-based food preservatives. Accordingly, we hypothesized that excess intake of these ...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between residential exposure to fast-food entrées, using two measures of potential spatial access: proximity (distance to the nearest location) and coverage (number of different locations), and weekly consumption of fast-food meals. METHODS Traditional fast-food restaurants and non-traditional fast-food outlets, such as conv...

Introduction: Recently, changes in people's lifestyles and new eating habits have diminished the importance of main dishes and have led to increasing the consumption of fast foods. Therefore, paying close attention to the health conditions and safety of the food provided in these centers can dramatically reduce the incidence of various diseases. The present study examines the environmental heal...

The authors examined associations among fast-food consumption, diet, and neighborhood fast-food exposure by using 2000-2002 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis data. US participants (n = 5,633; aged 45-84 years) reported usual fast-food consumption (never, <1 time/week, or > or =1 times/week) and consumption near home (yes/no). Healthy diet was defined as scoring in the top quintile of the Al...

BACKGROUND Individuals and families are relying more on food prepared outside the home as a source for at-home and away-from-home consumption. Restricting the estimation of fast-food access to fast-food restaurants alone may underestimate potential spatial access to fast food. METHODS The study used data from the 2006 Brazos Valley Food Environment Project (BVFEP) and the 2000 U.S. Census Sum...

Background: Overweight and obesity prevalence in children is now on the rise in low/middle-income countries, including Guatemala. Fast food consumption is a recognized contributing factor to this rise. Fast food restaurants use health claims, toy giveaways, price incentives and fast service to promote children’s combo meals. This study sought to assess the use of toy giveaways, time to delivery...