Nearly 600 adults and teens in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area were interviewed for the study in 2005-2006. Most reported eating fast food at least three times per week.

Here are their top reasons for eating fast-food meals, according to the percentages of people who agreed with each statement:

They're quick: 92.3%
They're easy to get to: 80.1%
I like the taste of fast food: 69.2%
They're inexpensive: 63.6%
I'm too busy to cook: 53.2%
It's a "treat" for myself: 50.1%
I don't like to prepare foods myself: 44.3%
My friends/family like them: 41.8%
It is a way of socializing with friends and family: 33.1%
They have many nutritious foods to offer: 20.6%
They're fun and entertaining: 11.7%