Table 1. Mean Per-Item Nutrients in Children's Menu Items in 2012 and Changes From 2012 to 2015.
| Nutrients | Beverage | Entréea | Side dishb | Dessert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012, M (SE) | ||||
| Calories (kcal) | 139 (5.6) | 362 (8.8) | 157 (10.4) | 360 (22.0) |
| Sodium (mg) | – | 794 (21.0) | 231 (23.5) | 159 (13.1) |
| Saturated fat (g) | – | 6.1 (0.3) | 1.7 (0.2) | 10.5 (0.9) |
| Change, 2012–2013, M (95% CI) | ||||
| Calories (kcal) | 6 (0.8, 10.6)* | −8 (−15.4, 0.1) | −5 (−19.6, 10.0) | 3 (−15.0, 21.2) |
| Sodium (mg) | – | −14 (−35.2, 7.0) | −9 (−56.6, 39.2) | 10 (−0.7, 20.8) |
| Saturated fat (g) | – | −0.1 (−0.3, 0.1) | −0.1 (−0.4, 0.2) | 0.0 (−0.9, 0.9) |
| Change, 2012–2014, M (95% CI) | ||||
| Calories (kcal) | 11 (3.7, 18.3)** | −2 (−16.3, 11.3) | 6 (−13.6, 25.1) | −2 (−24.9, 20.9) |
| Sodium (mg) | – | 5 (−33.4, 42.8) | 33 (−20.4, 86.3) | 8 (−2.7, 18.9) |
| Saturated fat (g) | – | 0.2 (−0.3, 0.6) | −0.1 (−0.5, 0.3) | −0.2 (−1.2, 0.9) |
| Change, 2012–2015, M (95% CI) | ||||
| Calories (kcal) | 6 (−1.4, 14.2) | −1 (−17.0, 14.6) | −6 (−25.7, 13.6) | −10 (−32.5, 13.0) |
| Sodium (mg) | – | −13 (−54.6, 29.5) | 11 (−41.1, 63.6) | 5 (−7.0, 17.2) |
| Saturated fat (g) | – | 0.2 (−0.3, 0.8) | −0.4 (−0.8, 0.0) | −0.5 (−1.6, 0.5) |
Note: Changes in mean per-item calories, sodium, and saturated fat adjusted for whether a restaurant chain is national or not, and restaurant type (fast food, full service, fast-casual). Random intercepts for restaurant were included to account for clustering between items within restaurant chains. Coefficients and SEs are bootstrapped estimates. Boldface indicates statistical significance (
*
p<0.05;
**
p<0.01).
a
Includes burgers, entrées, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and soups not categorized as appetizers or side dishes.
b
Includes appetizers and sides, fried potatoes, and baked goods (i.e., bread, rolls, and biscuits).