US kids are shunning the healthy options at fast food restaurants

74% of parents still purchase unhealthy drinks and side items for their kids despite fast food restaurants committing to offering healthier choices. This research comes from the University of Connecticut which found that many fast-food restaurants still automatically provide soda and French fries with kids’ meal orders and continue to widely promote their unhealthy options inside the restaurants on menu boards and signs. The healthier kids’ meal sides and drinks available include fruit and yogurt and 100 percent juice, low-fat milk, and water. 

“While most fast-food restaurants do have healthier kids’ meal drinks and sides available, many do little to make parents aware of the healthier options or to encourage parents to choose the healthier options instead of unhealthy ones,” said Jennifer Harris, lead author of the report and associate professor of allied health sciences. “If restaurants are serious about children’s health, they will make the healthiest choice the easiest choice for parents and the most appealing choice for children.”

The researchers also found that US families were visiting fast food restaurants more frequently. In 2016, 91% of parents reported purchasing lunch or dinner for their child in the past week at one of the four largest chains, up from 79% in 2010. The four largest chains are McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Subway.

One-third of parents who purchased lunch or dinner for their child at a fast-food restaurant did not purchase a kids’ meal, and this was true for both younger children (ages 2-5) and older children (ages 6-11). They purchased regular menu items, which include adult-sized portions and tend to be less nutritious than kids’ meal items. 

“We know that fast food offers parents a convenient, affordable option for feeding their families. But restaurants have a responsibility to make these affordable, convenient foods healthier. Most fast-food meals – even kids’ meals – have more fat, sugar, and sodium than children need, and eating this kind of unhealthy food can have negative health consequences over time, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues,” said Harris.

Since 2010, the four largest fast-food restaurant chains have pledged to offer healthier drinks and side options in kids’ meals, and not list sugary soda as a kids’ meal option on menu boards.