One in two adults worldwide dines out at least once a week, and frequent dining out raises the risk of obesity, according to a new study.
Analysis of 280,000 People Across 65 Countries Confirms Link Between Dining-Out Frequency and Obesity
A joint research team from the University of Göttingen and Heidelberg University presented the findings at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026), which opened in Istanbul, Turkey, on the 12th of this month. The team analyzed the correlation between dining habits and body weight among 280,265 adults aged 18 and older, drawing on national health survey data collected in 65 countries between 2009 and 2021.
The survey found that 47 percent of all respondents dined out at least once a week. Regional disparities were pronounced. In the Americas, 81 percent reported eating out every week, compared with 26 percent in Southeast Asia and 36 percent in Central Europe.
Dining-out frequency was closely tied to national income levels. High-income countries recorded an average of 3.7 meals out per week, more than three times the 1.1 meals reported in low-income countries. In the United States, 84 percent of adults said they ate out each week, with an average of four times per week.
Differences by gender, age, and income were also observed. Men dined out more frequently than women, and younger people, unmarried individuals, office workers, and those with higher levels of education were more likely to eat outside the home.
In Low-Income Countries, Obese Individuals Dine Out 39% More Than Those at Normal Weight
The link between dining-out frequency and obesity was also clear. In low-income countries, obese individuals dined out 39 percent more often than those of normal weight, while overweight individuals ate out 28 percent more frequently. In lower-middle-income countries, the obese group's dining-out frequency was 20 percent higher than that of the normal-weight group.
Lead researcher Mubarak Sulola said, "In low- and lower-middle-income countries, dining out showed a consistent association with obesity." He explained, "This appears to be influenced by the nutrition transition, in which access to large-portion, high-calorie foods is increasing." He added, "In low-income countries, dining out is still a symbol of affluence, but in high-income countries, it has already become part of everyday life."
Professor Sebastian Vollmer of the University of Göttingen stressed, "In today's food environment, it is not easy to avoid overeating and choose healthy foods." He added, "As dining-out culture spreads globally, public health policy must treat the restaurant industry as a key leverage point for obesity prevention."
The researchers noted, however, that because the study is a cross-sectional analysis of data from a specific point in time, it is difficult to establish a causal relationship between dining out and obesity. They also pointed out that some data were collected in 2009, that physical activity and energy expenditure were not sufficiently reflected, and that dietary data relied on self-reporting.
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