Obesity Abstracts

Background: Studies examining the relationship between the retail food environment and obesity have yielded conflicting results. Recent work has highlighted the need to better understand different types of retail food outlet and the nuances of how different groups of consumers use them. Here we investigated how and why adults use dessert-only outlets. Despite being identified as a UK top 10 growing retail category (Local Data Company Report, 2018), this is an extremely understudied topic.

Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach with participants completing an online questionnaire consisting of both closed and open-ended questions exploring different aspects of the use of dessert-only restaurants (e.g., frequency, reason for visiting and place within broader meal pattern/ lifestyle) and individual difference characteristics (demographic and eating style).

Results: 203 participants (Female =151; Mean age =35.3 years (S.D.=14.3); Mean BMI =26.7 kg/m²(S.D. =5.76)) assisted with the study. Very few participants reported using dessert-only restaurants frequently (3%), the majority of participants reported using them occasionally (20%), rarely (19%) or very rarely (39%). Inductive thematic analysis revealed major themes for why outlets were visited including menu-related motivations, the influence of marketing, family time and social opportunities, cost, and cultural influences. Major themes for how visits were incorporated into broader meal patterns/ lifestyle included meal replacement, an alternative venue for dessert following a meal at another restaurant or home, compensation before and after visit, and spontaneous treats. Notable sub-themes included the importance of the alcohol-free environment and the opportunity to photograph desserts and post them on social media.

Conclusions: These findings are likely to be of use to local government who might be considering the use of exclusion zones for certain types of outlets. Despite the intuitive appeal of such approaches, understanding the context of usage might help to avoid unintended consequences and/ or futile efforts.

Keywords: Retail food outlet, dessert-only restaurants, mixed methods, food environment

Disclosures: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.