Fast-food nation.

• Position: Imposing new regulation to control obesity - GRAPH: NATIONAL - Graph

Many Americans believe there's a correlation between fast-food consumption and the alarming rise in obesity in the U.S. Some cities and states have tried to address the problem by imposing new regulations, or even bans, on fast-food chains. [See "'L.A. Says: "No Fries With That'" on p. 12 of the magazine.] As the graph at right shows, fast food has become an integral, part of the American diet.

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

ANALYZE THE GRAPH

(1) McDonald's grossed $31 billion in U.S. sales in 2009--three times that of Subway, which ranked No. 2--even though Subway has about--more restaurants than McDonald's.

a 7,000

b 8,000

c 9,000

d 10,000

(2) In 1975, there were 677 Starbucks stores in the U.S. That number has since become about --times larger.

a 8

b 11

c 13

d 16

(3) Of the categories of restaurants in the graph, the largest number of restaurants is in the --category.

a burger

b pizza

c coffee

d chicken

(4) There are approximately 32,000 McDonald's restaurants worldwide. About --percent serve customers in the U.S.

a 14

b 28

c 44

d 65

(5) Five Guys Burgers & Fries [not shown) saw the highest sales growth of any fast-food chain in 2009. With only 548 restaurants, it has about 10 percent of the stores that --has.

a Wendy's

b Taco Bell

c Burger King

d Domino's

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(1) The number of overweight children in the U.S. has tripled since 1980. What might account for this trend?

(2) How many times a week do...