New York: In a nation combating obesity as an epidemic, a study in the United States has ranked kids' menus that are most likely to make children fat. A year-long study of children's meals across popular American fast food and sit-down restaurant chains, some of which have operations in India as well.

Though the study is limited to the US operations, it could well be argued that these chains offer equivalent menus in India, and therefore, would largely have the same nutritional value that they offer on the other side of the Atlantic. After all, what's good for the goose is good for the gander!

The study reveals vast dietary differences amongst America's favourite fast-food and sit-down chain restaurants, co-authors of the new book ''EAT THIS, NOT THAT! For Kids'' David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding calculated calories, fat (trans-fat and saturated fat), and sodium, as well as the average number of calories per children's entrée. They discovered many of America's most popular chain restaurants are nutritional nightmares for children.

The authors compared children's entrees; credited restaurants for having healthy adult options that would appeal to the young palate; evaluated healthy vegetable and fruit sides and drink options that go beyond sugar-laden soda; and docked points for restaurants still dishing out unhealthy trans-fats or for refusing to release any nutrition information to their customers.

The resultant ''Restaurant Report Card'' holds each food chain accountable for the fare they're serving up, to moms, dads, kids, teens, and everybody else, along with a survival strategy for making it through any meal unscathed.

David Zinczenko is the editor-in-chief of Men's Health magazine, and the editorial director of Women's Health and Best Life magazines. He is also the author of New York Times bestsellers The Abs Diet and The Abs Diet for Women. Once an overweight child, Zinczenko has become one of America's leading experts on health and fitness, and is a regular contributor to the Today show. He has appeared on the talk shows of Oprah, Ellen, Good Morning America, and Primetime Live.

Matt Goulding is the food and nutrition editor of Men's Health, and has cooked and eaten his way around the world, touching down in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he divides most of his time between keyboard and stovetop.

Chains in India
Here is what you need to know when you eat out at malls in India.

Rating: A-
Restaurant: Subway (Others: Wendy's)

A menu based on lean protein and vegetables, which the authors say ''scores well in our book''. Subway has over half a dozen sandwiches under 300 calories, plus a slew of soups and healthy sides to boot. Subway can satisfy even the choosiest eater without breaking the caloric bank.

However, the authors caution that Subway is not nutritionally infallible, as the low calorie counts posted on menu boards include neither the cheese nor the mayonnaise, and to get the true count, add 160 calories per 6-inch sub. Some toasted subs, such as the Meatball Marinara, contain hefty doses of calories, saturated fat, and sodium.

Survival Strategy: Cornell researchers have discovered a "health halo" at Subway, which refers to the tendency to reward yourself or your kid with chips, cookies, and large soft drinks because the entree is healthy. Avoid the halo, and all will be well.

Rating: B
Restaurant: McDonald's, KFC (Others: Arby's, Panera Bread)

Though not blessed with an abundance of healthy options, McDonald's isn't burdened with any major calorie bombs, either. Kid standards like McNuggets and cheeseburgers are both in the acceptable 300-calorie range. However, these options are currently unavailable in India.

Your Survival Strategy: Apple Dippers and 2 per cent milk with a small entree makes for a pretty decent meal-on-the-go.

McDonald's quintessential Happy Meal makes this possible. The authors caution against the usual French fries and soda pitfalls. Adults should go for a Quarter Pounder without cheese (again, unavailable in India).

Rating:  C+
Restaurant:   Domino's (Others: Ben & Jerry's, Quizno's)

Domino's pitfalls include too much cheese, bread, and greasy toppings. If you don't order carefully, your child's pizza might come laden with more than 350 calories per slice.

To its credit, Domino's does keep the trans-fat out of the pizza, and it also offers the lowest-calorie thin crust option out there.

Your Survival Strategy: Stick with the Crunchy Thin Crust pizzas sans sausage and pepperoni. If your must order meat, ask for ham. And whenever possible, try to sneak on a vegetable or two per pie.

Rating: C
Restaurant: Papa John's (Others: Au Bon Pain, Burger King, Cold Stone Creamery, Taco Bell)

Rating: C-
Restaurant: Ruby Tuesday (Others: Chili's, Chuck E. Cheese's, Dunkin' Donuts, Jack in the Box, Starbucks, Uno Chicago Grill)

Rating:  D+
Restaurant: Baskin Robbins (Others:  Dairy Queen, P.F. Chang's)

Rating:  D
Restaurant: Pizza Hut (Others: Baja Fresh, Chipotle, Krispy Kreme, Romano's Macaroni Grill)

Rating:  F
Restaurant:  T.G.I. Friday's (Applebee's, IHOP, Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster)

The study found that restaurant chains rated 'F' still don't provide nutritional information on their dishes. However, recent New York legislation required these restaurants to run calorie counts on their menus, which gave diners an insight into the secrets of these establishments.

At Friday's, no fewer than nine sandwiches and ten appetizers topple the 1000-calorie barrier; at IHOP, the "healthiest" entree-size salad has a staggering 1050 calories; and at Outback, even a simple order of salmon will wipe out 75 per cent of your day's caloric allotment.

A comprehensive A-to-F breakdown of all 43 other chain restaurants, along with listings of the best and worst meals at each is available online at eatthis.com/restaurants. The book would be available across America starting 19 August.