Parental Food Choice Values Influence Children's Restaurant Eating Behavior, Research Shows

A new study opens in new tab/window in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior opens in new tab/window, published by Elsevier, examines how the food choice values of parents impact their children's eating behaviors in restaurants. The study focuses on low-income families who are regular restaurant-goers and provides insight into how parental choices influence children's meal decisions, with potential implications for public health interventions aimed at promoting healthier restaurant eating habits.

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,146 low-income parents with children aged 2 to 11, using latent class analysis to categorize parents based on their food choice values, such as convenience, taste, and nutrition. This method allowed the researchers to identify distinct patterns in how parents prioritize different aspects of food when making decisions about eating out, providing a more nuanced understanding of their behavior. Data were collected between November 2020 and February 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restaurant consumption habits were disrupted.

Senior author Megan P. Mueller, PhD, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, states, "We found distinct parental value systems that influenced children's choices in restaurants, for example, children of parents who prioritized convenience and disliked cooking were significantly less likely to order healthy entrees compared to others."

The study identified three parent groups: hassle-free consumers, indulgent consumers, and multifaceted consumers. Hassle-free consumers, who prioritized convenience and avoided cooking at home, had children who were far less likely to choose healthy meals, such as grilled chicken or seafood, in favor of items like burgers and pizza. Indulgent consumers placed a high value on taste, and while their children made healthier choices more often than the hassle-free group, they still favored indulgent options. Multifaceted consumers, who valued a combination of nutrition, local sourcing, and food safety, visited restaurants the most frequently but were relatively more likely to make more balanced, healthier food choices for their children. However, across all classes children were still less likely to have meals that included healthier entrées, sides, and beverages, which likely reflects the types of foods that are more frequently offered on restaurant menus.

This research underscores the need for tailored restaurant interventions that consider parental food choice values, providing a basis for more effective public health initiatives. Public health campaigns could target specific parent groups by promoting healthier meal options that align with their priorities, such as highlighting the convenience and taste of nutritious meals for hassle-free consumers. For indulgent consumers, restaurants could introduce menu innovations that satisfy taste preferences while reducing calories and unhealthy ingredients. Additionally, multifaceted consumers could benefit from increased access to local, sustainable, and nutritious food options, allowing them to make informed, health-conscious decisions for their children.

Dr. Mueller adds, “These findings highlight the importance of addressing parental stress and food insecurity, as these factors were closely linked to less healthy eating habits in restaurants. Public health strategies targeting parents' experiences and values could be an effective way to promote healthier eating in children."

Notes for editors

The article is “Impacts of Parental Food Choice Values on Children’s Restaurant Eating Behavior Among Regular Restaurant Consumers With Low Income: A Latent Class Analysis,” by Jenna Bensko, MS; Daniel J. Graham, PhD; Soo K. Kang, PhD; Yeeli Mui, PhD; and Megan P. Mueller, PhD (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2024.07.011 opens in new tab/window). It appears in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Volume 56, Issue 11 (November 2024), published by Elsevier.

The article is openly available for 90 days at https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(24)00402-0/fulltext opens in new tab/window.

The authors would like to acknowledge Alyssa Leib and other students from the Systems Thinking for Obesity Prevention Laboratory at Colorado State University for their data processing and Stata coding support.

Full text of the article is also available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact Eileen Leahy at +1 732 406 1313 or [email protected] opens in new tab/window to obtain a copy or additional information. To schedule an interview with the author(s), please contact Megan P. Mueller, PhD, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, at [email protected] opens in new tab/window.

An audio podcast featuring an interview with Megan P. Mueller, PhD, and other information for journalists are available at https://www.jneb.org/content/media opens in new tab/window. Excerpts from the podcast may be reproduced by the media with permission from Eileen Leahy.

About the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB)

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education and dietary/physical activity behaviors. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research, emerging issues, and practices relevant to nutrition education and behavior worldwide and to promote healthy, sustainable food choices. It supports the Society's efforts to disseminate innovative nutrition education strategies, and communicate information on food, nutrition, and health issues to students, professionals, policymakers, targeted audiences, and the public.

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior features articles that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice, and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests of health, nutrition, education, Cooperative Extension, and other professionals working in areas related to nutrition education and behavior. As the Society's official journal, JNEB also includes occasional policy statements, issue perspectives, and member communications. https://www.jneb.org opens in new tab/window

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