ArticleNutrition journal2015
Comparison of the nutrient content of children's menu items at US restaurant chains, 2010-2014.
Article in Nutrition journal, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Progress Evaluation for Transnational Restaurant Chains to Reformulate Products and Standardize Portions to Meet Healthy Dietary Guidelines and Reduce Obesity and Non-Communicable Disease Risks, 2000-2018: A Scoping and Systematic Review to Inform Policy.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2019Pooled it
- A Meta-Analysis to Determine the Impact of Restaurant Menu Labeling on Calories and Nutrients (Ordered or Consumed) in U.S. Adults.Nutrients · 2017Pooled it
- Messages Promoting Healthy Kids' Meals: An Online RCT.American journal of preventive medicine · 2021Trial
- The effectiveness of mandatoryThe British journal of nutrition · 2025Review
- Evaluation of Fast-Food Restaurant Kids' Meal Beverage Offerings 1 Year After a State-Level Healthy Beverage Default Policy.AJPM focus · 2024Article
- Evaluation of Short-Term Changes in Fast-Food Restaurant Online Kids' Meal Beverage Offerings Following a State-Level Healthy Beverage Default Policy.Current developments in nutrition · 2023Article
- Nutrition composition of children's meals in twenty-six large US chain restaurants.Public health nutrition · 2020Article
- Nutritional Quality of Fast Food Kids Meals and Their Contribution to the Diets of School-Aged Children.Nutrients · 2020Article
- Nutrient composition of Australian fast-food and fast-casual children's meals available in 2016 and changes in fast-food meals between 2010 and 2016.Public health nutrition · 2019Article
- Article
- Nutritional quality of meals offered to children (kids' meals) at chain restaurants in Japan.Public health nutrition · 2018Article
- Monitoring the changes to the nutrient composition of fast foods following the introduction of menu labelling in New South Wales, Australia: an observational study.Public health nutrition · 2018Article
- Child and parent perspectives on healthier side dishes and beverages in restaurant kids' meals: results from a national survey in the United States.BMC public health · 2017Article
- Trends in Nutrient Content of Children's Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants.American journal of preventive medicine · 2017Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo determine changes in the nutritional content of children's menu items at U.S. restaurant chains between 2010 and 2014.
methodsThe sample consisted of 13 sit down and 16 fast-food restaurant chains ranked within the top 50 US chains in 2009. Nutritional information was accessed in June-July 2010 and 2014. Descriptive statistics were calculated for nutrient content of main dishes and side dishes, as well as for those items that were added, removed, or unchanged during the study period.
resultsNutrient content of main dishes did not change significantly between 2010 and 2014. Approximately one-third of main dishes at fast-food restaurant chains and half of main dishes at sit down restaurant chains exceeded the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended levels for sodium, fat, and saturated fat in 2014. Improvements in nutrient content were observed for side dishes. At sit down restaurant chains, added side dishes contained over 50% less calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium, and were more likely to contain fruits/vegetables compared to removed sides (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Added side dishes at fast-food restaurant chains contained less saturated fat (p < 0.05).
conclusionsThe majority of menu items, especially main dishes, available to children still contain high amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium. Efforts must be made by the restaurant industry and policy makers to improve the nutritional content of children's menu items at restaurant chains to align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Additional efforts are necessary to help parents and children make informed choices when ordering at restaurant chains.
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