Nutrient content of children's menu items at US fast food restaurants

Several studies have documented associations between frequency of eating away from home, particularly fast food restaurants, and consumption of total calories, fat, negative metabolic outcomes, and weight status. Yet to date, no studies have been published that explore the nutrient quality of the most popular fast food restaurants in the United States. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the nutrient quality of children's entrees and side dishes to national dietary recommendations for children by age and gender. A secondary aim was to explore the accessibility of online nutrition information on children's meals, including navigational clicks and availability of dietary guidance. Data was obtained from restaurants' corporate webpage and entered into Excel and SPSS by main entrée, side item, and combined meals. Entrees averaged 279.9 calories, 11.8 grams of fat, 3.8 grams of fat, and 613 mg of sodium and side items 177.1, 6.9, and 1.8, respectively. While the majority of main and side items were at or below the 1/3 level of the respective dietary guidelines, a notable number exceeded the tertile, particularly fat, protein, and sodium. An average of 1.95 to 2.1 clicks was needed to obtain nutrition information. Little nutrition education was provided to consumers, such as recommended intakes of fat, calories, etc. for children. Foods and information at fast‐food restaurants could be improved in many ways. Restaurants may also seek to improve offerings in their children's menus, with an impending nutrition labeling mandate for chain restaurants. No source of research support was used for this project .