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The Influence of Quick-Service Restaurants on Children's Diets

Award Number: K01DK107810
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/29/2016
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/28/2022

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The Influence of Quick-Service Restaurants on Children's Diets - 7. Project Summary/Abstract Addressing childhood obesity remains one of the greatest public health priorities in the U.S., particularly among minority and lower socioeconomic status (SES) populations where the prevalence of obesity is highest. Studies have found a positive association between quick-service restaurant (QSR) food consumption and body mass index (BMI) among children. This is likely due in part to the high caloric content of foods from QSRs, especially the traditional side dishes and beverages (i.e. fried potato products and sugar-sweetened beverages) which can provide up to 350 additional calories per children’s meal compared with the healthier options available. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence the selection of healthier or less healthy children’s meal side dishes and beverages can have important implications for addressing obesity and health disparities. The proposed research will examine QSR environments (both the physical environment and verbal prompts), as well as parent-child interactions, that promote or discourage the selection of healthier children’s meal side dishes/ beverages. Additionally, we will analyze the impact of healthier side dish/beverage selection on overall meal consumption. Environmental assessments will occur in 136 QSRs in socioeconomically and ethnically diverse communities. Interactions when ordering will be observed among 64 parent-child pairs, and overall meal consumption will be assessed using plate waste methodology among 850 children. Expanding upon Dr. Cohen’s prior nutrition and plate waste research in low-income school districts, this Mentored Research Scientist Development Award will provide additional training in behavior change techniques, qualitative data collection, analyses involving mixed-methods, behavioral/ family-centered theories, and conducting research to address health disparities. Dr. Cohen has the full support of The School of Science and Engineering at Merrimack College, as well as her exceptional, multidisciplinary team of mentors, who are committed to helping Dr. Cohen successfully complete the proposed training and research and become a successful independent researcher. Study results will be used to inform future intervention studies involving both QSRs and families to improve children’s selection/consumption of healthier QSR foods. This award will provide Dr. Cohen with the skills necessary to become an independent investigator conducting cross- disciplinary research that uses behavior change techniques and is informed by studying both environmental influences and the role of parents (applying qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research) to improve the diets of underserved children and reduced their risk of obesity.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = -$238 )
2022	2020	MERRIMACK COLLEGE	315 TURNPIKE ST	NORTH ANDOVER	MA	01845	ESSEX	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	5	6/30/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$238
														Subtotal = -$238

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $126,764 )
2020	2020	MERRIMACK COLLEGE	315 TURNPIKE ST	NORTH ANDOVER	MA	01845	ESSEX	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	5	7/28/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$126,764
														Subtotal = $126,764

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $126,992 )
2019	2019	MERRIMACK COLLEGE	315 TURNPIKE ST	NORTH ANDOVER	MA	01845	ESSEX	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	4	9/4/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$126,992
														Subtotal = $126,992

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $127,062 )
2018	2018	MERRIMACK COLLEGE	315 TURNPIKE ST	NORTH ANDOVER	MA	01845	ESSEX	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	3	7/20/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$127,062
														Subtotal = $127,062

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $126,556 )
2017	2017	MERRIMACK COLLEGE	315 TURNPIKE ST	NORTH ANDOVER	MA	01845	ESSEX	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	2	8/14/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$126,556
														Subtotal = $126,556

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $127,904 )
2016	2016	MERRIMACK COLLEGE	**	NORTH ANDOVER	MA	01845	ESSEX	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	8/11/2016	NEW	$127,904
														Subtotal = $127,904

Grand Total All Awards = $635,040

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The Influence of Quick-Service Restaurants on Children's Diets

Award Number: K01DK107810

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/29/2016

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/28/2022

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