The study, published in the August Journal of the American Dietetic Association, surveyed more than 800 children and adolescents aged 7 to 17. Restaurant meals accounted for only 6% of the meals eaten but contained about 55% more calories than the average meal eaten at home. Furthering the problem, meals from restaurants contained more total fat and saturated fat than those in the home.
In an attempt to explain the findings, Christine Zoumas-Morse from the University of California at San Diego said, “The perception of eating in a restaurant as being a 'special occasion' may encourage parents or children to make exceptions that they would not make in the home.”