Associations Between a Voluntary Restaurant Menu Designation Initiative and Patron Purchasing Behavior

Sosa, Erica T.; Biediger-Friedman, Lesli; Banda, Martha

doi:10.1177/1524839912469535

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…In San Antonio, Texas, ¡Por Vida! involved registered dietitians working with local restaurants to identify menu items that met Dietary Guidelines for Americans ( 8 , 9 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Children’s Menus in Community Restaurants: Best Food for Families, Infants, and Toddlers (Best Food FITS) Intervention, South Central Texas, 2010–2014

Crixell¹,

Friedman²,

Fisher³

et al. 2014

Prev. Chronic Dis.

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BackgroundApproximately 32% of US children are overweight or obese. Restaurant and fast food meals contribute 18% of daily calories for children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years. Changing children’s menus may improve their diets. This case study describes Best Food for Families, Infants, and Toddlers (Best Food FITS), a community-based intervention designed to address childhood obesity. The objective of this study was to improve San Marcos children’s access to healthy diets through partnerships with local restaurants, removing sugar-sweetened beverages, decreasing the number of energy-dense entrées, and increasing fruit and vegetable offerings on restaurant menus.Community ContextSan Marcos, Texas, the fastest growing US city, has more restaurants and fewer grocery stores than other Texas cities. San Marcos’s population is diverse; 37.8% of residents and 70.3% of children are Hispanic. Overweight and obesity rates among school children exceed 50%; 40.3% of children live below the poverty level. MethodsThis project received funding from the Texas Department of State Health Services Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention Program to develop Best Food FITS. The case study consisted of developing a brand, engaging community stakeholders, reviewing existing children’s menus in local restaurants, administering owner–manager surveys, collaborating with restaurants to improve menus, and assessing the process and outcomes of the intervention.OutcomeBest Food FITS regularly participated in citywide health events and funded the construction of a teaching kitchen in a new community building where regular nutrition classes are held. Sixteen independent restaurants and 1 chain restaurant implemented new menus.InterpretationImproving menus in restaurants can be a simple step toward changing children’s food habits. The approach taken in this case study can be adapted to other communities. Minimal funding would be needed to facilitate development of promotional items to support brand recognition.

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“…In San Antonio, Texas, ¡Por Vida! involved registered dietitians working with local restaurants to identify menu items that met Dietary Guidelines for Americans ( 8 , 9 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Children’s Menus in Community Restaurants: Best Food for Families, Infants, and Toddlers (Best Food FITS) Intervention, South Central Texas, 2010–2014

Crixell¹,

Friedman²,

Fisher³

et al. 2014

Prev. Chronic Dis.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Unhealthy add-ons and substitutions (i.e., asking to remove vegetables from quesadilla) to a new healthy child meal can negate the impact of the new menu item [ 39 ]. Second, restaurants were reluctant to remove unhealthy child menu items, such as grilled cheese sandwiches and fried chicken tenders from their menus; workarounds such as those enacted by other researchers and practitioners may be warranted (e.g., continued encouragement to remove from printed menu but make available upon request; [ 20 , 26 , 40 ]). Similarly, some restaurants that already had child menus priced the new healthy child menu items at a price point that was slightly higher than existing child menu items, citing overall rising costs and the need to modify prices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Cluster Randomized Trial to Promote Healthy Menu Items for Children: The Kids’ Choice Restaurant Program

Ayala

Castro

Pickrel

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Evidence indicates that restaurant-based interventions have the potential to promote healthier purchasing and improve the nutrients consumed. This study adds to this body of research by reporting the results of a trial focused on promoting the sale of healthy child menu items in independently owned restaurants. Eight pair-matched restaurants that met the eligibility criteria were randomized to a menu-only versus a menu-plus intervention condition. Both of the conditions implemented new healthy child menu items and received support for implementation for eight weeks. The menu-plus condition also conducted a marketing campaign involving employee trainings and promotional materials. Process evaluation data captured intervention implementation. Sales of new and existing child menu items were tracked for 16 weeks. Results indicated that the interventions were implemented with moderate to high fidelity depending on the component. Sales of new healthy child menu items occurred immediately, but decreased during the post-intervention period in both conditions. Sales of existing child menu items demonstrated a time by condition effect with restaurants in the menu-plus condition observing significant decreases and menu-only restaurants observing significant increases in sales of existing child menu items. Additional efforts are needed to inform sustainable methods for improving access to healthy foods and beverages in restaurants.

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“…18,21 While previous studies on the use of media to promote a restaurant-based program are limited, favorable results from the Por Vida restaurants initiative in San Antonio, Texas, underscore the importance of marketing at both the population and institutional levels to increase patron awareness, consumer demand, and restaurant participation. 16 Results of this study can help inform future efforts to promote the Choose Heath LA Restaurants program. Comparing panel survey results in 2013 and 2014 shows an increase in visits to the program Web site; 10% of people reported visiting the Choose Health LA Web site in 2014 compared with only 3% from the previous year's survey.…”

mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…While previous studies have examined interventions to modify the retail food environment, including efforts to increase consumer demand, most studies have typically focused on a limited set of promotional components (eg, point-ofpurchase signage). [14][15][16][17] Case examples that examine the potential for large-scale promotional campaigns to complement environmentally focused interventions, such as a voluntary healthy restaurants recognition program, are limited.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Media Outlet and Consumer Reactions to Promotional Activities of the Choose Health LA Restaurants Program in Los Angeles County

Gase

Montes

Robles³

et al. 2016

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Associations Between a Voluntary Restaurant Menu Designation Initiative and Patron Purchasing Behavior

Abstract: Menu logo designation initiatives can potentially influence patron purchasing behaviors among a segment of the population when the logo is visible.

Cited by 11 publications

References 16 publications

Improving Children’s Menus in Community Restaurants: Best Food for Families, Infants, and Toddlers (Best Food FITS) Intervention, South Central Texas, 2010–2014

Improving Children’s Menus in Community Restaurants: Best Food for Families, Infants, and Toddlers (Best Food FITS) Intervention, South Central Texas, 2010–2014

A Cluster Randomized Trial to Promote Healthy Menu Items for Children: The Kids’ Choice Restaurant Program

Media Outlet and Consumer Reactions to Promotional Activities of the Choose Health LA Restaurants Program in Los Angeles County

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