P199 - “Should We Go Out for Dinner Tonight?” Understanding Restaurant-Related Food Choices in the Family

Abstract

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): Families are dining out more than ever which may be problematic as eating out is associated with poor dietary quality. Understanding parent decisions related to dining out is important. Objective: To explore factors influencing families' decisions related to eating out, and their practices and food choices in the restaurant setting. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving the design and dissemination of a survey for parents and caregivers with at least one child aged 4–12. The survey was developed using a compilation of peer-reviewed literature, five constructs from Furst et al.'s conceptual model of the food choice process, and exploratory interviews (n = 7). Once the survey was complete and put into an online platform, test-retest (n = 15) and cognitive interviews (n = 3) were executed to assess validity and reliability. Convenience sampling was employed using email and social media to recruit participants. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Results for test-retest reliability were assessed using Spearman's rho. Descriptive statistics were used to examine survey responses and Cronbach alpha was used to test internal consistency of the theoretical constructs. Results: Questions with weak reliability (<0.6) were removed or changed during cognitive interviews (n = 15). Survey respondents (n = 349) were predominantly middle- to high-income (86.9%) mothers (84.5%). Internal consistency was strong for Ideals (∝ = 0.79), Resources (∝ = 0.79), and Social Framework (∝ = 0.75). Food Context (∝ = 0.67) demonstrated moderate internal consistency, and Personal Factors (∝ = 0.52) demonstrated low internal consistency. Time, convenience, health, and the experience were the most important factors in the decision to eat out. Parents (63.6%) limit children's food options, and 66.8% stated children order from the children's menu. Conclusions and Implications: This study provides a valid and reliable method, with strong theoretical framework, to assess family food choices when dining out. Findings provide insights into key influences of family decisions related to dining out and menus. Future research should explore strategies to promote healthful children's menu options complimenting parents' desired experience. Funding: None.