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Introduction
Takeaway, take-out and fast foods are common terminology used for various 'out-of-home' foods. 'Takeaway foods', commonly used in the UK and Australia, are defined as hot meals made to order and take away from small, independent outlets(1,2)whereas in the USA 'take-out' shares a similar definition. 'Fast food' mainly defines foods from national/multinational fast food chains (such as McDonald's, Domino's Pizza, Subway, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell)(3-5)and can include dining in. However, 'out-of-home' foods do include multiple definitions and can come from a number of sources including vending machines, convenience stores, fast food outlets, takeaway food outlets, coffee shops, schools, etc.(6). For the purpose of the present review, the terminology from the original articles reviewed has been maintained to represent the subtle differences between studies. Therefore, the terminology used by the authors has also been used interchangeably dependent on the literature in review. In instances of critique and where multiple studies are being discussed, 'out-of-home foods' has been used as this term broadly covers takeaway and fast food. Out-of-home foods have become increasingly popular over the past few decades and are thought to be one of the key proponents driving increasing levels of overweight and obese individuals(7). The causes of obesity are complex(8)but the overconsumption of food and sugar-sweetened beverages, along with increased portion sizes, are also undoubtedly strong determinants(9). A recent UK study found that 27 % of adults and 19 % of children consumed meals outside the home once per week or more and 21 % of adults and children ate takeaway meals at home once per week or more(10). Similar consumption patterns are common in other high-income and urban societies; particularly those in Europe, the USA and Australia(11,12). Kant et al.(13)found that more than 50 % of US adults reported consuming three or more out-of-home meals per week and more than 35 % reported consuming two or more fast food meals per week. While the...