The New Orleans Healthy Default Beverage Policy and Beverage Ordering Among Children

Was the 2023 New Orleans restaurant healthy default beverage (HDB) ordinance associated with changes in children’s beverage orders?In this survey study of 2137 parents and caregivers in New Orleans (policy city) and Baton Rouge (comparison city), implementation of the HDB ordinance was associated with higher odds of ordering a healthy beverage and reduced sugar and calorie intake among children.These findings suggest HDB policies may support healthier dietary behaviors in children and represent a feasible strategy for obesity prevention in restaurant settings.

Corresponding Author: Melissa Fuster, PhD, Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences Department, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112 (mfuster@tulane.edu).

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