In a study, 39.4% of parents chose healthy foods for their children at a restaurant. However, when parents were provided with a statistic that 75% parents at the restaurant chose healthy foods for their kids, 51% of parents ended up doing the same. Parents who were most affected by the statistics were malleable self-theorists with high social comparison orientation.


Example of Promoting Positive Parental Influence on Healthy Restaurant Meals for Children

Hint at health norms to influence behaviors, such as using words like “trending.”
Remind people of healthy values. Can portray companies as having concern for patrons’ health and providing inclusive environment for the health conscious as opposed to forcing healthy choices. 

New Mexico Highlands University

Restaurant atmosphere, marketing, and menu offerings play a role on whether parents choose healthy meals for their kids at restaurants.

Promoting Positive Parental Influence on Healthy Restaurant Meals for Children

Hogreve, J., Matta, S., Hettich, A. S., & Reczek, R. W. (2021). How do social norms influence parents’ food choices for their children? The role of social comparison and implicit self-theories. Journal of Retailing, 97(2), 173–190. https://doi-org.proxy.wichita.edu/10.1016/j.jretai.2020.05.002

How do social norms influence parents’ food choices for their children? The role of social comparison and implicit self-theories

Pale colors, sounds, and smells in restaurant may signal healthiness.

Restaurant Atmosphere and Healthy Eating

Some restaurants choose to encourage healthy eating through its menu offerings, like Wendy’s doesn’t offer soda with its kids' meals.

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