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Annual Conference 2019

March 28–31, 2019

Marriott City Center, Dallas, TX

Proposal authors of accepted papers can use the tool below (scroll down) to see where they have been placed in the agenda. Note: Special Topics sessions - Only the submitter's name is searchable, not panelists. [If you wish an overview of the conference please click here: Conference Overview Agenda.

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4.1d Kids' Restaurant Menus: Formatting Can Significantly Impact Food Choice

Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 8:30 AM–10:00 AM CDT
1-Normandy A
Abstract

The typical “kids’ menu” offers meals that are not nutritionally balanced. Chicken tenders, mac and cheese, French fries, and Shirley Temples are alluring to children and may ease the fears of parents who worry that their fussy eaters will not get fed. Despite being childhood favorites, the typical kids’ menu offerings may contribute to issues such as childhood obesity, disease, and malnutrition. The present study examines minor changes to kids’ menu formatting that bear significant influence on kids’ food choices. Participants in this study were children ages 7 to 11 and their parents. Respondents were 51 children and 44 parents. Results of the lab study showed that unhealthy food choices were more prevalent when the menu featured pictures of the food items. Menus with words and no food images resulted in healthier food choices. Parents who viewed a menu featuring the MyPlate logo were more likely to disapprove of their child’s food selections and were also more insistent that their child switch to healthier options. Policy implications are discussed.

First & Corresponding Author

Anna McAlister, Endicott College
Authors in the order to be printed.

Shannon Harris, Endicott College; Anna McAlister, Endicott College

Additional Authors

Shannon Harris, Endicott College
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