Nutrient composition of Australian fast-food and fast-casual children\u27s meals available in 2016 and changes in fast-food meals between 2010 and 2016

Objective:A quarter of Australian children are overweight or obese. Research conducted in 2010 found that fast-food children\u27s meals were energy-dense and nutrient-poor. Since then, menu labelling and self-regulation of marketing have been introduced in Australia. The present study aimed to: (i) investigate the nutrient composition of children\u27s meals offered at fast-food chains; (ii) compare these with children\u27s daily requirements and recommendations and the food industry\u27s own criteria for healthier children\u27s meals; and (iii) determine whether results have changed since last investigated in 2010.Design:An audit of nutrition information for fast-food children\u27s meals was conducted. Meals were compared with 30 % (recommended contribution for a meal) and 100 % of children\u27s daily recommendations and requirements. A comparative analysis was conducted to determine if the proportion of meals that exceeded meal requirements and recommendations, and compliance with the food industry\u27s own criteria, changed between 2010 and 2016.Setting:Large Australian fast-food chains.Participants:All possible children\u27s meal combinations.Results:Overall, 289 children\u27s meals were included. Most exceeded 30 % of daily recommendations and requirements for a 4-year-old\u27s energy, saturated fat, sugars and Na. Results were also substantial for 8- and 13-year-olds, particularly for Na. When compared with mean energy and nutrient contents from 2010, there were minimal changes overall.Conclusions:Children\u27s meals can provide excess energy, saturated fat, sugar and Na to children\u27s diets. Systematic reformulation of energy, saturated fat, sugars and Na would improve the nutrient composition of the meals