Kids Are Eating More Fast Food Than Ever Before, Study Says

Every parent wants their kid to develop healthy eating habits, but it’s not as easy said as done. Despite their efforts, families’ fast food intake is on the rise, according to a new report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut.

In 2016, 91 percent of parents reported purchasing lunch or dinner for their child in the past week at one of the four largest chains—McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Subway. This number is up from 79 percent in 2010.

“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,” says Jennifer Harris, lead author of the report.

The study surveyed approximately 800 parents in 2010, 2013 and 2016 about what they ordered for their 2 to 11-year-old child in the past week from one of the four fast food restaurants.

One-third of parents who purchased lunch or dinner for their child—both younger children (ages 2 to 5) and older children (ages 6 to 11)—at a fast food restaurant did not purchase a kids’ meal. Instead, they purchased regular menu items, which include adult-sized portions and tend to be less nutritious than kids’ meal items. It also found parents are more likely to purchase healthier options for their younger children (ages 2 to 5) than for older kids (ages 6 to 11).

Healthy eating habits start from birth. Brush up on some tips to get your kid to maintain a balanced diet early on.

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