The prevalence of heart-healthy menu items in West Virginia restaurants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of heart-healthy choices offered in restaurants.


METHODS
Menus (N=273) were obtained from restaurants in the 10 most populated cities in West Virginia. A survey assessed the number of restaurants that provide point-of- purchase nutrition information and the heart-healthy choices offered.


RESULTS
One restaurant offered point-of-purchase nutrition information. Nine percent of restaurants identified heart-healthy choices on their menus. There was a high frequency of offering vegetarian entrees, light side dishes, and vegetables; however, much less fruit, low-fat milk, low-fat salad dressing, or heart-healthy desserts were on menus.


CONCLUSIONS
There is much opportunity for providing and identifying heart-healthy choices in restaurants.
Jones
Jenni L
JL
Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
Krummel
Debra A
DA
Wheeler
Karen
K
Forbes
Betty
B
Fitch
Cindy
C
D005518:Food Preferences; D015438:Health Behavior; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008612:Menu Planning / Q000592:standards*; D012147:Restaurants; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014903:West Virginia