Prevention Matters

The recession is causing American teenagers to cut back their spending on food, according to research from Piper Jaffray. Will this have a positive effect on the obesity epidemic? Maybe not, according to the study.

While teens are spending 20% less on eating out compared with fall 2007, Chipotle and McDonald's are gaining market share over casual dining restaurants.

"Key influencers have always been taste and convenience, but now value is trumping that," says Nicole Miller Regan, senior research analyst at Piper Jaffray. "They're eating more at [quick-service restaurants] than they are at casual dining. It's all about value, value menus, dollar menus and a lower average ticket."