FROM THE GOLDEN ARCHES TO THE GOLDEN POND - FAST-FOOD AND OLDER ADULTS

This research addresses the issues of older adults and the frequency o f fast food patronage, fast food meals purchased most often, and reaso ns for fast food patronage. A randomly selected sample of 500 mature a dults (50 years of age and older) was surveyed. The response rate was 36 percent (n = 175). Results of this study indicate that older males are more likely to patronize fast food restaurants than their female c ounterparts. Mature adults who were in the 60-64 age group were signif icantly more likely to frequent fast food restaurants than other matur e age segments.