Dataset Information

Trends in Nutrient Content of Children's Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants.

ABSTRACT: Restaurant food is widely consumed by children and is associated with poor diet quality. Although many restaurants have made voluntary commitments to improve the nutritional quality of children's menus, it is unclear whether this has led to meaningful changes.Nutrients in children's menu items (n=4,016) from 45 chain restaurants were extracted from the nutrition information database MenuStat. Bootstrapped mixed linear models estimated changes in mean calories, saturated fat, and sodium in children's menu items between 2012 and 2013, 2014, and 2015. Changes in nutrient content of these items over time were compared among restaurants participating in the Kids LiveWell initiative and non-participating restaurants. Types of available children's beverages were also examined. Data were analyzed in 2016.There was a significant increase in mean beverage calories from 2012 to 2013 (6, 95% CI=0.8, 10.6) and from 2012 to 2014 (11, 95% CI=3.7, 18.3), but no change between 2012 and 2015, and no differences in nutrient content of other items over time. Restaurants participating in Kids LiveWell reduced entrée calories between 2012 and 2013 (-24, 95% CI= -40.4, -7.2) and between 2012 and 2014 (-40, 95% CI= -68.1, -11.4) and increased side dish calories between 2012 and 2015 (49, 95% CI=4.6, 92.7) versus non-participating restaurants. Sugar-sweetened beverages consistently constituted 80% of children's beverages, with soda declining and flavored milks increasing between 2012 and 2015.Results suggest little progress toward improving nutrition in children's menu items. Efforts are needed to engage restaurants in offering healthful children's meals.

SUBMITTER: Moran AJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5541374 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Trends in Nutrient Content of Children's Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants.

Moran Alyssa J AJ Block Jason P JP Goshev Simo G SG Bleich Sara N SN Roberto Christina A CA

American journal of preventive medicine 20170111 3

<h4>Introduction</h4>Restaurant food is widely consumed by children and is associated with poor diet quality. Although many restaurants have made voluntary commitments to improve the nutritional quality of children's menus, it is unclear whether this has led to meaningful changes.<h4>Methods</h4>Nutrients in children's menu items (n=4,016) from 45 chain restaurants were extracted from the nutrition information database MenuStat. Bootstrapped mixed linear models estimated changes in mean calories ...[more]

PMID: 28089130

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Project description:ImportanceCalorie labeling on menus is required in US chain food establishments with 20 or more locations. This policy may encourage retailers to offer lower-calorie items, which could lead to a public health benefit by reducing customers' calorie intake from prepared foods. However, potential reformulation of restaurant menu items has not been examined since nationwide enforcement of this policy in 2018.ObjectiveTo examine the calorie content of menu items at large chain restaurants before and after implementation of federally mandated menu calorie labels.Design, setting, and participantsThis pre-post cohort study used restaurant menu data from MenuStat, a database of nutrition information for menu items offered in the largest chain restaurants in the US, collected annually from 2012 to 2019. The study comprised 35 354 menu items sold at 59 large chain restaurants in the US. Statistical analysis was conducted from February 4 to October 8, 2021.InterventionNationwide implementation of menu calorie labeling.Main outcomes and measuresChanges in menu items' calorie content after restaurant chains implemented calorie labels were estimated, adjusting for prelabeling trends. All menu items, continuously available items, items newly introduced to menus, and items removed from menus were examined separately.ResultsAmong the 59 restaurant chains included in the study, after labeling, there were no changes in mean calorie content for all menu items (change = -2.0 calories; 95% CI, -8.5 to 4.4 calories) or continuously available items (change = -2.3 calories; 95% CI, -11.5 to 6.3 calories). Items that were newly introduced after labeling, however, had a lower mean calorie content than items introduced before labeling (change = -112.9 calories; 95% CI, -208.6 to -25.2 calories), although there was heterogeneity by restaurant type. Items removed from menus after labeling had similar calorie content as items removed before labeling (change = 0.5 calories; 95% CI, -79.4 to 84.0 calories).Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study of large chain restaurants, implementing calorie labels on menus was associated with the introduction of lower-calorie items but no changes in continuously available or removed items.

Dataset Information

Trends in Nutrient Content of Children's Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants.

Publications

Trends in Nutrient Content of Children's Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants.

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