EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF A HEALTHY RESTAURANT INTERVENTION ON CUSTOMERS' PURCHASES OF HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS IN LATINO FAMILY-OWNED RESTAURANTS

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a Healthy Restaurant Intervention on customers' purchases of healthier food options in Latino family-owned restaurants. As part of the context for this study, the Nutrition Committee of the Latino Health for All Coalition collaborated in a community-based participatory research approach to implement a Healthy Restaurant Award Program. The objective of the Healthy Restaurant program was to make healthier food options available and accessible in restaurants in low-income, predominantly Latino neighborhood. The Healthy Restaurant Intervention in this study consisted of placing small menu stickers for identified healthier food options and assuring that healthier food options were available by modifying recipes/servings in the two participating family-owned restaurants. The effects of the intervention were examined with one primary dependent variable: customers' purchases of healthier food options. In addition, to assess the context of healthier food options available to customers, the study also measured modifications made by the restaurant owners in traditional recipes/menu items based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. Results showed that the Healthy Restaurant Intervention produced no discernible improvements in customers' purchasing behaviors in either restaurant. Assessments showed that there were a number of menu modifications made by participating restaurant owners to assure healthier food options on their menus. The findings suggested that the Healthy Restaurant Intervention--consisting of small menu stickers and access to healthier food options--was not effective in increasing purchasing behaviors of customers visiting participating restaurants. Limitations are discussed in addition to strengths and implications for future research and practice.