title: Salud Tiene Sabor: a model for healthier restaurants in a Latino community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children has risen nationally in recent decades, and is exceptionally high in low-income communities of color such as South Los Angeles CA. Independently owned restaurants participating in the Salud Tiene Sabor program at ethnic foods marketplace Mercado La Paloma in South Los Angeles are responding to the childhood obesity crisis by posting calories for menu items and providing nutrition information to patrons.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether menu labeling and nutrition information at point of purchase have an influence on availability of healthy food options, patron awareness of calorie information, and restaurant owners' support of the program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-study design using mixed methods included restaurant owner and stakeholder interviews, patron surveys, and environmental assessments. Data were collected using originally designed tools, and analyzed in 2009-2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Healthy eating options were available at the Mercado La Paloma; restaurant owners and the larger community supported the Salud Tiene Sabor program; 33% of patrons reported calorie information-influenced purchase decisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Owners of independent restaurants have an important role in improving access to healthy foods in low-income, Latino communities.
authors: Public Health Institute, Oakland, California, USA.
authors: Carmen R
authors: CR
authors: Nevarez
authors: Mariah S
authors: MS
authors: Lafleur
authors: Liz U
authors: LU
authors: Schwarte
authors: Beth
authors: B
authors: Rodin
authors: Pri
authors: P
authors: de Silva
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Samuels
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002149:Energy Intake; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D005518:Food Preferences; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012147:Restaurants; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology