Family dining survey finds children are less likely to choose healthy menu options despite parental habits

A new US study examines how parents’ food choices impact their children’s eating behaviors in restaurants. Despite varying consumer habits among families, children were less likely to choose meals with healthier entrées, sides and beverages, which likely reflects the standard food choices frequently offered on restaurant menus.

The research in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior underscores potential difficulties for public health interventions aimed at promoting healthier restaurant eating habits.

“We found distinct parental value systems that influence children’s choices in restaurants, for example, children of parents who prioritized convenience and disliked cooking were significantly less likely to order healthy entrées compared to others,” says senior author Megan Mueller, Ph.D., Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University. 

What’s on the menu?

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,146 low-income parents with children aged two to 11, using latent class analysis to categorize parents based on their food choice values, such as convenience, taste and nutrition.

This method allowed the researchers to identify distinct patterns in how parents prioritize different aspects of food when making decisions about eating out, offering a more “nuanced understanding of their behavior.”

The study identified three parent groups: “hassle-free consumers,” “indulgent consumers” and “multifaceted consumers.”

Despite children in all groups exhibiting preferences for less healthy meals, those of the hassle-free consumer class were 91% less likely to select a healthy entrée.Hassle-free consumers, who prioritized convenience and avoided cooking at home, had children who were far less likely to choose healthy meals — such as grilled chicken or seafood — in favor of items like burgers and pizza.

Indulgent consumers highly valued taste. While their children made healthier choices more often than the hassle-free group, they still favored indulgent options.

Multifaceted consumers, who valued a combination of nutrition, local sourcing and food safety, visited restaurants the most frequently but were relatively more likely to make more balanced, healthier food choices for their children.

Despite children in all groups exhibiting preferences for less healthy meals, those of the hassle-free consumer class were 91% less likely to select a healthy entrée than an unhealthy entrée and were even less likely to select a healthy entrée than those of the indulgent and multifaceted consumer classes. The multifaceted consumer class ate from restaurants the most in the week before taking the survey.

“Within the restaurant setting, tailoring interventions to specific consumer classes…such as offering a separate dollar menu with healthy options marketed for convenience, has the potential for a significant impact,” highlight the report authors.

Tailored restaurant interventions 

This research underscores the need for tailored restaurant interventions that consider parental food choice values, providing a basis for more effective public health initiatives.

“Overall, these findings hold significant implications for nutrition professionals and policymakers concerned with obesity prevention in restaurant settings. Traditionally, interventions have relied on information-based approaches with limited success,” write the authors.

“For instance, studies on labeling techniques have shown little impact on promoting healthful choices. Our research advocates for a shift toward interventions targeted to parental food choice values.”

In the US, such interventions are limited. The New York City Council recently heard testimony on legislation requiring restaurants to offer at least two nutritious kids’ meals. If passed, it would be the country’s fourth jurisdiction to enforce such nutrition standards.

The study authors suggest public health campaigns could target specific parent groups by promoting healthier meal options that align with their priorities. For instance, targeted advertisements may highlight the convenience and taste of nutritious meals for hassle-free consumers.

For indulgent consumers, the researchers suggest restaurants could introduce menu messaging highlighting their foods that “satisfy taste preferences while reducing calories and unhealthy ingredients.”

Additionally, multifaceted consumers “could benefit from increased access to local, sustainable and nutritious food options, allowing them to make informed, health-conscious decisions for their children.”

“These findings highlight the importance of addressing parental stress and food insecurity, as these factors were closely linked to less healthy eating habits in restaurants,” adds Dr. Mueller.

“Public health strategies targeting parents’ experiences and values could be an effective way to promote healthier eating in children.”

Data for this study was collected between November 2020 and February 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurant consumption habits were disrupted.

In other research, children may be at risk of regularly maxing out their daily allotted sugar limits by being allowed cakes and biscuits in and out of school, a recent UK report by Action on Sugar warns. The advocacy group’s survey of individually packaged or portioned sweet snacks reveals that a typical combination — such as a cake, chocolate bar and one or two biscuits consumed over the course of a day — can pack 1,326 calories and 92.5 grams of sugar.