Published: September 2013

ID #: 68383

Journal: Public Health Nutr

Authors: Rudelt A, French S, Harnack L

See more related research

Share


This article examines changes in the sodium content of lunch/dinner menu offerings at eight of the leading fast-food restaurants in the U.S. between 1997-1998 and 2009-2010. Researchers found that the mean sodium content of menu offerings across the eight restaurants increased by 23.4 percent over the 14 years studied. The mean sodium content of entrées increased by 17.2 percent (from 934 mg/item to 1,095 mg/item) and that of condiments increased by 26.1 percent (from 249 mg/item to 314 mg/item). Side dishes were the only menu item that showed a decrease in sodium content, decreasing by 6.6 percent (from 624 mg/item to 583 mg/item). None of the restaurants examined had a decrease in mean sodium across the lunch/dinner menu over the time studied. Rather, increases ranging from 6 percent to 55 percent were seen at seven of the eight restaurants and no change occurred at one of the restaurants.

Related Research

June 2013

Nutritional Quality at Eight U.S. Fast-Food Chains: 14-Year Trends

This article assesses trends in the nutritional quality of menu offerings in eight U.S. fast-food restaurant chains from 1997/1998 to 2009/2010. Researchers calculated Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005 scores for each restaurant as a measure of the extent to which menu offerings were consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and compared the scores over time. More

November 2012

Energy Content of U.S. Fast-Food Restaurant Offerings: 14-Year Trends

This article discusses a study that examined changes in the energy content of lunch/dinner menu offerings at eight of the leading fast-food restaurants in the U.S. between 1997-1998 and 2009-2010. Researchers found that there have been few changes to the energy content of menu offerings among the selected restaurants. During the 14-year period, the number More

November 2010

Evaluating the Impact of Mandatory Menu Labeling on the Nutritional Quality of Restaurant Offerings

The U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (health care reform law) includes a national requirement for calorie labeling at chain restaurants with 20 or more locations. Development and implementation of regulations related to this new policy are expected to occur within the next one to two years, and studies evaluating the public More