Dr. Hannah Sahud, a pediatrician at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, has published her study in Pediatrics, about fast food junctions and resaurants in children’s hospitals. Having fast-food restaurants in children’s hospitals influences patients’ families to eat fast food and to think that it’s relatively healthy.
At least 59 of the US’ 250 children’s hospitals have fast-food restaurants, the study found. That is a troubling phenomenon, particularly given rising obesity rates, said the study’s lead author, Sahud. She said “efforts are needed to balance the dietary choices and social messages” sent by locating them in children’s hospitals.