Marl Dolliver's Takes: Fear Itself

Harried by assorted do-gooders, fast-food chains and other eateries feel increasingly obliged to display at least a dash of nutritional virtue. But does their clientele share these priorities? A Decision Analyst poll, summarized in the chart here, suggests it depends on where people fall on the income scale. Concern about nutrition when eating out is a luxury to which upscale consumers are most apt to treat themselves. (No trans fats in my caviar, garçon!) In a breakdown by age, the 18-24 cohort was the least likely to express concern about nutrition at restaurants (35 percent); the 45-54s were the most likely (44 percent).