The presence of kids”™ meals and healthier beverage options on fast-food restaurant menus does not necessarily mean that adults are seeking out more nutritious meals for children, according to a new study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut.
The study, which was published in the journal Pediatric Obesity, found 1 in 3 U.S. children eat fast food on a given day. Researchers surveyed more than 2,000 caregivers with at least one child aged 2 to 11 who had bought lunch or dinner for their child at one of four fast-food restaurants (McDonald”™s, Burger King, Wendy”™s and Subway).
The study determined 84% of the caregivers bought lunch or dinner for their children at one of these restaurant chains in the week before they were surveyed. Of those, 55% reported buying a kids”™ meal for their child, and from that group 50% selected a healthier side and 56% selected a healthier drink.
Caregivers who visited a restaurant with a healthier kids”™ meal policy said they were more likely to choose a healthier side. The caregivers added their choices were primarily driven by their child”™s preferences ”“ younger children between 2 and 5 years old were more likely to be given healthier sides or drinks than the older children, and female caregivers were more likely to select healthier drinks and sides than their male counterparts.
“Our study shows that voluntary healthier kids”™ meals policies at fast food restaurants have not led to improvements in children”™s fast-food consumption,” Yoon Choi, a research associate at the Rudd Center and lead co-author of the study. “Purchases of kids”™ meals, which contain fewer calories than regular menu items, and selection of healthier kids”™ meal drinks did not increase following implementation.”
