Resumen de Attitudes and Knowledge of Hospitality Management Students Regarding Current Dietary Recommendations

Laura McArthur, James A. Chandler

• Overweight and obesity are increasing in the United States. Concurrently, Americans are dining out more frequently. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes and knowledge of hospitality management students regarding recommendations conveyed by the 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid. Overall, students expressed favorable attitudes toward these recommendations and toward restaurants offering more healthful menu options. Their mean score on the knowledge test was 6.1 out of 17 points. The need for enhancing customer loyalty by offering more healthful menu options is discussed, and innovative educational interventions are presented.