Public health extras: News on fast food habits, teen sexual behavior, call for papers
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* Donya Currie
* Kim Krisberg

## Poll finds most Americans eat fast food monthly

A recent Gallup Poll found eight in 10 Americans report eating at fast-food restaurants at least monthly, with almost half saying they eat fast food at least weekly.

Released in August, the poll found only 4 percent of Americans said they never eat at fast-food restaurants. But slightly fewer eat fast food weekly than in 2006. And while fast food is a fixture in many people’s diets, 76 percent think the food served is “not too good” or “not good at all for you,” which is the same percentage as in 2003.

The poll found young adults ages 18-29 eat fast food most often, with 57 percent saying they do so at least weekly. That number dropped to 47 percent for those ages 30-49, 44 percent for those ages 50-64 and 41 percent among those ages 65 and older.

Results of the Gallup annual consumption poll are available at [www.gallup.com/poll](http://www.gallup.com/poll).

## Parental consent laws do not seem to reduce risky teen sex

A recent study found no association between parental consent laws and youth sexual behavior or rates of sexually transmitted infections.

Published in the September issue of the *Journal of Health Economics*, the study found little evidence that parental involvement laws result in lower rates of gonorrhea or chlamydia among 15- to 19-year-olds or resulted in minors changing their sexual behaviors. Laws in 38 states require physicians to obtain parental consent or notify a parent when a minor seeks an abortion.

“Our findings have important public health implications,” said Silvie Colman, PhD, of Mathematica Policy Research, who is one of the study’s authors.

She noted the “alarmingly high” rate of sexually transmitted infections among teens needs to be addressed but that parental involvement laws do not seem to be an effective tool.

## Call for papers: Effects of media on children’s health

Papers are now being sought for a special issue of *JAMA Pediatrics*.

In 2014, the theme issue of the journal will revisit the effects of the media on children’s health, with a special emphasis on new forms of media, such as tablets, smartphones and video games. Editors are seeking papers on how new media affects children, but also on how such media can promote better health. For example, topics can explore whether social media sites can identify children at risk and offer effective interventions, how doctors are using Twitter to reach out to patients, or whether smartphone apps can promote healthier behavior.

All types of manuscripts are being sought, including empirical and descriptive papers as well as field-based and laboratory-based papers. Manuscripts submitted before Nov. 1 will be given preference.

For more information on submission, visit [http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/journal.aspx](http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/journal.aspx).

*   Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association