Obesity has become one of today's significant public health challenges, and its prevalence has continuously increased in both adults and children. More than two-thirds of the entire population in the United States is either obese or overweight. Furthermore, obesity is responsible for nearly 400,000 fatalities in the United States each year (Ogden, Carroll, Fryar, & Flegal, 2015). The federal government spends more than $117 million per year to combat obesity and other related illnesses (Bassett & Perl, 2014).
Restaurants contribute to the incidence of obesity in a variety of ways (Mejova et al., 2015). First, nearly all restaurants pack their plates with portions that are more than the recommended serving size (Currie, 2010). Individuals visiting the restaurants end up eating all the food because they are unaware of the calories they consume every time they dine out. Secondly, most restaurants offer menus that majorly constitute of fast foods that are majorly junk (Lee, 2012). Although the menus may contain other healthy foods, they often take more time to prepare and this leaves most consumers on the option of fast foods. As such, this contributes to the prevalence of obesity among individuals.
Overview of the Restaurant’s Environmental Factors
Taco Bell Restaurant
Location: 15201 SW 104TH STREET MIAMI, FL 33196
Taco Bell is a fast food restaurant that does not offer pizza, deli, bagel or food courts. The restaurant prides itself in offering nutritious fast foods. The motto of the restaurant is “we’re feeding peoples’ lives with mas.” The motto is displayed just below the name of the restaurant and this makes it very visible to both the individuals therein and those passing along the streets. The display of the motto constantly reminds the customers the role of the restaurant and this creates a mood in the environment (Mellor, Dolan, & Rapoport, 2013). The customers understand the reason for the foods present on the menu and feel that the restaurant cares about feeding them well. As such, the environment created by the public display of the motto of the restaurant encourages the customers to eat healthy foods (Rahman, Cushing, & Jackson, 2013).
The restaurant also has special displays of the best foods that are offered on their menu. The special displays are placed strategically on the tables and the ordering shelf. Although they have junk food that may be high calories such as loaded potato griller and Chipotle chicken loaded griller, most of the other foods are low calorie and nutritious foods. They are also the foods present on the special display. One's concentration majorly goes to the display when awaiting the delivery of an order (Bollinger, Lealie, & Sorensen, 2013). As such, one is intrigued to test any of the foods on their next visit to the restaurant. As such, this contributes to the growth of a habit of eating fewer calorie foods which in the end result to a reduction in the prevalence of obesity (NHLBI, 2013).
In Taco Bell Restaurant, however, they play mood music in the background that makes one feel good. The music makes one feel good, relaxed and tends to stay longer at the restaurant. As such, one may end up ordering more food or drink so as to extend their stay in the restaurant. Although the food therein is majorly low-calorie, the mood music may make individuals eat more than they require because they feel the need to stay there longer. As such, this contributes to overfeeding which results to obesity in the long run (Bodor, 2013).
Tacos and Tattoos Restaurant
Location: 10720 SW, II3th Pl, Miami, FL 33176
The Tacos and Tattoos Restaurant is small and cool looking. It looks something close to a surfer restaurant. As such, when one is sited at their table enjoying a meal or waiting for the delivery of their order, they receive a lot of food smells from the kitchen. Therefore, one could end up craving for different food from their initial order. The smells act like an appetizer which may make somebody order more than originally planned (Shier, Ruopeng, & Sturm, 2013). As such, the setting of the restaurant may lead to a prevalence of obesity among individuals because they are likely to eat more than they originally anticipated to have (Cobb, et al., 2015).
The environment in Tacos and Tattoos Restaurant also has music in the background. However, the music changes depending on the event being hosted therein. For instance, in one event they played music from the 90’s and during another they had salsa. The music is meant to make the customers comfortable and interested in staying at the restaurant longer. As the customers seek to listen and engage in more music, they end up spending more time in the restaurant (Feng et al., 2013). As such, they keep ordering for more foods and drinks to occupy them as they listen to the music. The music, therefore, may make individuals consume more foods than they ought to or even planned on having (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2017\). In the end, this contributes to the prevalence of obesity among individuals (Lewis, 2014).
Five Guys
Location: 13440 SW 120TH ST., BAY 610 MIAMI FL 33186
Five Guys prides itself in handcrafted burgers and fries since 1986. The good sign for this restaurant is a burger or a basket of fries. The foods displayed on the food signs look very delicious and as such very appetizing. Moreover, the pride in ‘handcrafted since 1986' makes one very curious to try out the burgers or the chicken. Any person feels the need to test the brand in these foods that have made the restaurant a brand since the 80s. Also, the display is publicized especially at the entrance which may make a passer-by opt for the restaurant. Human beings and especially children are visual and they respond quickly to what they see (Harns, Tatiana, & Kelly, 2014). As such, people end up popping into the restaurant for a meal even though that was not their initial plan due to the attention catching display. The food display, therefore, may encourage individuals to frequently eat these junk foods or even have more than what they originally planned. In the long run, individuals may become fond of the handcrafted meals which lead to a rise in the spread of obesity.
Five Guys also has special displays which show their new foods and any offers that may be coming up in a specific period. The displays are placed strategically to ensure that all customers have a glimpse of them when enjoying their current meals. In most of the special displays, there is an addition drink, topping, milkshake or a double offer on the food product bought. As such, the customers feel that there is an increased value for their money because they get more products with less spending (Heinonen, 2013). Customers end up participating in the special displays which encourage their consumption of junk foods (Vikraman, 2015). As such, the special displays lead to a prevalence of obesity in the long run.
Moreover, the eating areas in the restaurant are well placed. The tables are well spaced out with very comfortable seats. Some of the seats are couches which make them more comfortable and classy. The eating area is also well lit with cool music playing in the background. As such, the eating area is very comfortable and makes a customer feel like spending more time therein. Customers also view the restaurant as a good place to relax after a long day or even meet with their friends and business partners (Anderson, Callo, Fussman, Imes, & Rafferty, 2013). Due to the comfort in the eating area, individuals get more reasons to visit the restaurant and this encourages eating the junk foods (Fryar & Ervin, 2013). As such, this leads to a prevalence of obesity among individuals.
Cantina Grill
Location: 14713 SW 42 STREET, #104 MIAMI, FL 33185
The eating area in Cantina Grill is well decorated. The menu is well displayed from the eating area with the prices and various combinations accompany by pictures. Moreover, the wall has some artistic decorations and the whole area has a touch of antique furniture and decorations. As such, the eating area feels very comfortable to the customers. They also feel the need to spend more time with the mood created by the furniture and decorations. Customers may, therefore, end up eating more than they had planned as they enjoy the comfort of the eating area (Wansink & Ittersum, 2012). Moreover, the perfect display of the menu from the eating area makes it easy for customers to place their orders from the comfort of their seats (Tandon, 2013). It would also encourage them to order more foods especially those that are not costly. As such, this discourages the habit of eating in moderation as individuals are likely to be lured by the comfort into overfeeding (Roberto et al., 2014).
The menu in Cantina Grill has a perfect display of the foods offered there in. The foods are grouped as desserts, rice bowl, nachos, burrito, and quesadilla and so on. Delicious looking photos of the foods are also drawn on the menus. Due to this display, individuals feel like trying out the meals with the most appealing look (Lin, 2016). As such, the customers end up consuming a number of meals to satisfy the urge created by the images on the display (Wu & Sturn, 2013). As such, this environment discourages eating in moderation as individuals majorly end up eating more than they had planned.
Fuddruckers
Location: 15400N Kendall Rd., Miami, FL 33196
Fuddruckers prides itself in building the greatest burgers across the world. In their food display, the restaurant has a number of burger delicacies and an accompanying message that indicates to the customer that the burger combination is only limited by his or her imagination. Moreover, in their fries section, the restaurant indicates clearly that their fries are ranked among the top ten most crave able foods. The display of the foods brings them out as among the best burgers and fries in the world (Rouhami, Mirseidinezhad, Omrani, Esmailzadeh, & Azadbakht, 2014). As such, this brings a sense of class among the customers who choose this restraint as they get the feeling of world class service (Jeffrey, Baxter, Guire, & Linde, 2016). The perfect branding of the food products encourages the customers to eat high-calorie foods which in the end contribute to obesity.
The eating area at Fuddruckers is cool with a comfortable seating lounge and cool background music. However, the smells of the various burger flavors, fries, and even creamy soda fill the air (Feng et al., 2013). As such, this becomes very appetizing for customers who are taking their orders from the eating area. Due to the smells filling up the air, the customers are encouraged to try out more food products especially more burger flavors (Dunn, 2014). As such, the environment in the restaurant encourages individuals to eat higher calorie foods which contribute to the prevalence of obesity in the long run (Renee, 2017).
Improvements to the Physical Environment
The special display in the restaurants is one of the key physical environmental factors that should be considered to encourage healthy eating habits among individuals (Brambila-Macias, 2014). Instead of displaying a wide range of burgers, fries, and soft drinks, the restaurants should replace these displays with images of delicious looking organic foods. The images are likely to make the customers curious about trying out these organic foods which in the end build a habit of eating healthy foods.
The restaurants should also consider the proximity of their eating areas to the kitchens to avoid filling the air with a variety of smells which become very appetizing to the customers. The eating areas should be well ventilated and preferably face outside such as the road or a park (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). The concentration of the customers to the activities in the restaurant is affected and this reduces the chance that they should order an extra meal. In the end, this contributes to the development of a healthy eating habit.
Menu Modifications
Taco Bell Restaurant’s menu is fairly adequate in promoting healthy eating habits. However, the restaurant should consider introducing healthy options for the customers who prefer burgers and pizzas. They should also bring the nutrition calculator that is available on their websites to their outlet and sensitize their clients on its importance. The introduction of healthy drinks such as fresh fruit juices and smoothies is also an excellent idea for the restaurant (Glanz & Hoelscher, 2014). To encourage their customers to consume the healthy foods, they should incorporate discounts and offers on these products. Finally, there is the need to introduce healthy products for the kids.
Tacos and Tattoos Restaurant should introduce a variety of vegetables to match their wide range of meat products which are high-calorie products. The restaurant should also include discounts on their menus food combinations that include organic foods. Moreover, the diversification of their drinks to include cocktail juices, fresh juice, and other organic foods is also crucial. The introduction of a child's menu that combines low-calorie products with energy giving foods such as fruit flavored pizzas is crucial for the organization. Finally, the restaurant should come up with combinations of organic foods and meats where the customers can choose from (Glanz & Hoelscher, 2014).
Five Guys restaurants should consider adding organic flavors into their wide range of burgers. They should also try out new organic recipes and make sure that they get world class recommendations. This will encourage their customers to try out these new foods. Five Guys should also consider adding organic ingredients into their current menus so as to gradually promote the habit of eating healthy such as the use of fruit salads. The restaurant should also add organic drinks to gradually replace the soft drinks. The introduction of more food options into their menu is also another way to promote healthy eating foods (Khan, 2016). Finally, the restaurant should come up with menus that are favorable for children such as low-calorie burgers served with milk.
Cantina Grill has a range of food products already. A proper display of other organic foods on the menu is a crucial step in promoting healthy eating habits. The restaurant should also come up with food combinations that incorporate organic foods from which their customers can choose from. Moreover, the menus on display should include organic food options such as fruit salads so that customers can choose such when they opt to spend some extra time. The introduction of healthy drinks on their menus and their proper display is also important (Hill, 2015).
Fuddruckers restaurant should include organic flavors in their wide range of burgers. They should also ensure that the organic flavors are properly displayed both on the menu and special displays. Fuddruckers could also come up with organic toppings and alternatives such as fruit salads (Khan, 2016). The restaurant should also come up with new healthy recipes and place them on their menus as world class products. Finally, they should replace the soft drinks with healthier drinks such as fresh juices.
Conclusion
The food industry especially restaurants have been actively involved in reducing the prevalence of obesity across the world. One of the strategies that have led to a significant reduction in the rise of the obesity levels among individuals is the reformulation of meals (Hill, 2015). Various restaurants provided more nutritious options in their menus and even came up with combinations that included organic products. The change of the menus made the customers realize the importance of eating healthy and the same habit spread to their eating habits at home.
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