Effects of Healthier Choices on Kid's Menu: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis

This study evaluates the effect of a quick-service restaurant (QSR) strategy which changes de-fault calorie-dense menu items to healthier options on children’ menu consumption behaviors. A series of difference-in-differences (DID) models are estimated to compare sales between treat-ment and control group restaurants in the Washington State. The results do not provide evidence that adding healthier options causes consumers to make healthier diet choices. This negative re-sult suggests that more proactive interdiction is needed to make an impact on childhood obesity. Government policies such as those that require additional, possibly highlighted, information and/or education are likely to have a greater effect.