Comparison of fast-food and non-fast-food children's menu items.
OBJECTIVE
Compare the macronutrient content of children's meals sold by fast-food restaurants (FFR) and non-fast-food restaurants (NFF).


METHODS
All restaurants within the designated city limits were surveyed. Non-fast-food children's meals were purchased, weighed, and analyzed using nutrition software. All fast-food children's meals were recorded, with nutrient content information obtained from their respective commercial Web sites.


METHODS
Community in southeastern United States.


METHODS
33 restaurants, 10 FFR and 23 NFF.


METHODS
Total weight, total calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber.


METHODS
Paired t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and general linear model analyses.


RESULTS
Overall mean percentage of calories from fat for children's meals at FFR was 37.5%, and 40.5% at NFF. Significant differences (P < .01) existed between FFR and NFF, with FFR providing smaller servings, fewer calories, and less total fat, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. When analyzing only with the highest calorie option side, controlling for portion size, no differences remained except saturated fat.


CONCLUSIONS
Fast-food restaurants offered smaller children's portion sizes and lower-fat options. These results have implications for restaurants, parents, children, and nutrition educators.
Serrano
Elena L
EL
Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0430, USA. serrano@vt.edu
Jedda
Virginia B
VB
D002151:Calorimetry; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002149:Energy Intake; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012147:Restaurants; D015144:Southeastern United States; D014768:Virginia
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins