Evaluation of Store Environment Changes of an In-Store Intervention to Promote Fruits and Vegetables in Latino/Hispanic-Focused Food Stores

Abstract

C.A.M.A.); e8martinez@ucsd.edu (M.E.M.)Abstract: Implementing interventions that manipulate food store environments are one potential strategy for improving dietary behaviors. The present study evaluated intervention effects, from the El Valor de Nuestra Salud (The Value of Our Health) study, on in-store environmental changes within Latino/Hispanic-focused food stores (tiendas). Sixteen tiendas were randomly assigned to either: a six-month structural and social food store intervention or a wait-list control condition. Store-level environmental measures of product availability, placement, and promotion were assessed monthly from baseline through six-months post-baseline using store audits. Linear mixed effects models tested for condition-by-time interactions in store-level environmental measures. Results demonstrated that the intervention was successful at increasing the total number of fruit and vegetable (FV) promotions (p < 0.001) and the number of FV promotions outside the produce department (p < 0.001) among tiendas in the intervention versus control condition. No changes in product availability or placement were observed. Results suggests changing the marketing mix element of promotions within small stores is measurable and feasible in an in-store intervention. Difficulties in capturing changes in product availability and placement may be due to intervention implementation methods chosen by tiendas. It is important to build upon the lessons learned from these types of interventions to disseminate evidence-based in-store interventions.

Online Pilot Grocery Intervention among Rural and Urban Residents Aimed to Improve Purchasing Habits

“…Although the data for all of the food purchases made during this study were not collected, these findings are encouraging when examining innovative strategies to improve food access, nutritional intake, and ultimately the health status of rural and SNAP populations, who generally have disproportional high rates of diet-related chronic diseases, in part due to nutritional inadequacy. Furthermore, previous studies have attempted to target these populations and improve purchasing habits utilizing behavior nudging principles to modify behaviors [ 17 , 29 , 35 ]. However, as online grocery shopping continues to grow as an engagement method, these principles can be applied to an online landscape rather than an in-store approach alone in an effort to improve purchases [ 21 ].…”

Food environment solutions for childhood obesity in Latin America and among Latinos living in the United States

“…A body of literature on different approaches to nudge consumers—including children—to make healthier choices inside food stores is growing sharply 149–151 . For instance, changing placement of healthy and unhealthy foods, banning ultra‐processed foods from check out and placing them out of the reach of children, along with changes in promotional strategies of ultra‐processed foods are promising strategies but lack sufficient real‐world testing 152 . More recently, researchers are employing innovative methods, such as the use of eye‐tracking technology, 153,154 consumer panels, 155 and experiments using virtual 156 and real‐life store labs to better understand children and caregivers' real‐world shopping behaviors and the uniqueness of stores that serve Latino populations.…”

Soluciones relacionadas con el entorno alimentario para prevenir la obesidad infantil en América Latina y en la población latina que vive en Estados Unidos

“…Existe un aumento en la literatura sobre distintas formas de convencer a los consumidores -niños incluidos-para que tomen decisiones más saludables en las tiendas de alimentación [149][150][151] . Por ejemplo, cambiar de lugar los alimentos saludables y no saludables, prohibir la colocación de ultraprocesados junto a las cajas y ponerlos fuera del alcance de los niños, y modificar las tácticas promocionales de los alimentos ultraprocesados son estrategias prometedoras, aunque aún no han sido probadas suficientemente en situaciones reales 152 . Más recientemente, los investigadores están empleando métodos innovadores, como la tecnología de rastreo ocular 153,154 , paneles de consumidores 155 y experimentos en laboratorios reales y virtuales 156 para conocer mejor los hábitos reales de compra de los niños y sus mayores y los rasgos específicos de las tiendas que abastecen a las poblaciones latinas.…”