The line graph depicts the trends in the consumption of three popular varieties of fast food in Britain over a two-decade period from 1970 to 1990.
Overall, the consumption of fish & chips experienced a gradual increase, while both hamburgers and pizzas showed a notable rise, with pizza ultimately overtaking hamburgers by the end of the period.
In 1970, hamburgers were the most consumed fast food, accounting for approximately 300 grams per capita, followed by fish & chips at around 100 grams and pizza at a mere 50 grams. Throughout the following two decades, hamburgers maintained a leading position but registered a modest increase, reaching about 350 grams by 1990. In contrast, fish & chips exhibited a steady upward trend, culminating in a consumption level of just over 200 grams by the same year, indicating a moderate but consistent growth within this category.
The most striking development was observed in the consumption of pizza, which experienced an extraordinary rise from 50 grams in 1970 to 500 grams by 1990, reflecting a remarkable shift in consumer preferences. This substantial increase allowed pizza to surpass both hamburgers and fish & chips in popularity, ultimately becoming the preferred fast food choice in Britain by the end of the period examined.