The impact of price discounts and calorie messaging on beverage consumption: A multi-site field study

Jue, Jane; Press, Matthew J.; McDonald, Daniel; Volpp, Kevin G.; Asch, David A.; Mitra, Nandita; Stanowski, Anthony; Loewenstein, George

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.10.009

Cited by 28 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…This has not always proven to be the case in single [54,55], or combined interventions [44,52], however, suggesting that price may not always drive food purchases and that some populations are more price sensitive than others. In particular, low income populations, for whom food represents a larger proportion of total expenditures, are predictably more price sensitive [56-60].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choosing healthier foods in recreational sports settings: a mixed methods investigation of the impact of nudging and an economic incentive

Olstad

Goonewardene

McCargar

et al. 2014

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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BackgroundNudging is an approach to environmental change that alters social and physical environments to shift behaviors in positive, self-interested directions. Evidence indicates that eating is largely an automatic behavior governed by environmental cues, suggesting that it might be possible to nudge healthier dietary behaviors. This study assessed the comparative and additive efficacy of two nudges and an economic incentive in supporting healthy food purchases by patrons at a recreational swimming pool.MethodsAn initial pre-intervention period was followed by three successive and additive interventions that promoted sales of healthy items through: signage, taste testing, and 30% price reductions; concluding with a return to baseline conditions. Each period was 8 days in length. The primary outcome was the change in the proportion of healthy items sold in the intervention periods relative to pre- and post-intervention in the full sample, and in a subsample of patrons whose purchases were directly observed. Secondary outcomes included change in the caloric value of purchases, change in revenues and gross profits, and qualitative process observations. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance, chi-square tests and thematic content analysis.ResultsHealthy items represented 41% of sales and were significantly lower than sales of unhealthy items (p < 0.0001). In the full sample, sales of healthy items did not differ across periods, whereas in the subsample, sales of healthy items increased by 30% when a signage + taste testing intervention was implemented (p < 0.01). This increase was maintained when prices of healthy items were reduced by 30%, and when all interventions were removed. When adults were alone they purchased more healthy items compared to when children were present during food purchases (p < 0.001), however parental choices were not substantially better than choices made by children alone.ConclusionsThis study found mixed evidence for the efficacy of nudging in cueing healthier dietary behaviors. Moreover, price reductions appeared ineffectual in this setting. Our findings point to complex, context-specific patterns of effectiveness and suggest that nudging should not supplant the use of other strategies that have proven to promote healthier dietary behaviors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choosing healthier foods in recreational sports settings: a mixed methods investigation of the impact of nudging and an economic incentive

Olstad

Goonewardene

McCargar

et al. 2014

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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“…15–17 Following implementation, Denmark found a 4%–5% decline in sales of butter and cookies 18 but repealed its tax on concern that residents had avoided taxation by purchasing groceries in neighboring Germany. 19 Research has not produced consistent findings on whether taxes encourage consumption of healthier foods and beverages, 20–25 and if so, what tax rate is necessary to substantially reduce obesity rates. 23,24,26–28 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promotion of Healthy Eating Through Public Policy

Elbel

Taksler

Mijanovich

et al. 2013

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

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Background To induce consumers to purchase healthier foods and beverages, some policymakers have suggested special taxes or labels on unhealthy products. The potential of such policies is unknown. Purpose In a controlled field experiment, researchers tested whether consumers were more likely to purchase healthy products under such policies. Methods From October to December 2011, researchers opened a store at a large hospital that sold a variety of healthier and less-healthy foods and beverages. Purchases (N=3680) were analyzed under five conditions: a baseline with no special labeling or taxation, a 30% tax, highlighting the phrase “less healthy” on the price tag, and combinations of taxation and labeling. Purchases were analyzed in January–July 2012, at the single-item and transaction levels. Results There was no significant difference between the various taxation conditions. Consumers were 11 percentage points more likely to purchase a healthier item under a 30% tax (95% CI=7%, 16%, <0.001) and 6 percentage points more likely under labeling (95% CI=0%, 12%, p=0.04). By product type, consumers switched away from the purchase of less-healthy food under taxation (9 percentage points decrease, p<0.001) and into healthier beverages (6 percentage point increase, p=0.001); there were no effects for labeling. Conditions were associated with the purchase of 11–14 fewer calories (9%–11% in relative terms) and 2 fewer grams of sugar. Results remained significant controlling for all items purchased in a single transaction. Conclusions Taxation may induce consumers to purchase healthier foods and beverages. However, it is unclear whether the 15%–20% tax rates proposed in public policy discussions would be more effective than labeling products as less healthy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These include the use of education [44] and the provision of caloric information through labelling [45–47]. However, the effects of these have been, at best, modest with the latter being observed in one study to increase, rather than decrease, consumption [47]. To achieve significant reductions in SSB consumption, it has been argued that regulatory approached are needed [48], such as increases in the price of SSBs through taxation [13, 49].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of bottle size on in-home consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages: protocol for a feasibility and acceptability study

Mantzari

Hollands

Pechey

et al. 2015

Pilot Feasibility Stud

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BackgroundIntake of free sugars in the population exceeds recommendations, with the largest source in the diet being sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). SSB consumption is linked to adverse health consequences and contributes to health inequalities, given greater consumption amongst the most deprived. One possible intervention is to reduce the available sizes of SSB packaging but there is an absence of evidence that this would reduce consumption. Based on evidence from studies targeting food consumption that people consume less when exposed to smaller package sizes, we hypothesise that presenting SSBs in smaller containers reduces consumption. We are planning a crossover randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of presenting a fixed volume of SSB in different bottle sizes on consumption at home. To reduce the uncertainties related to this trial, we propose a preliminary study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the recruitment, allocation, measurement, retention and intervention procedures.Methods/designHouseholds which purchase at least 2 l of regular cola drinks per week and live in Cambridgeshire, UK will have a set amount of a cola SSB (based on their typical weekly purchasing of cola) delivered to their homes each week by the research team. This total amount of cola will be packaged into bottles of one of four sizes: (i) 1500 ml, (ii) 1000 ml, (iii) 500 ml or (iv) 250 ml. A crossover design will be used in which households will each receive all four of the week-long interventions (the four different bottle sizes) over time, randomised in their order of presentation. Approximately 100 eligible households will be approached to assess the proportion interested in actively participating in the study. Of those interested, 16 will be invited to continue participation.DiscussionThe findings will inform the procedures for a crossover randomised controlled trial assessing the impact of presenting a fixed volume of SSB in different bottle sizes on consumption at home. The findings from such a trial are expected to provide the best estimate to date of the effect of container size on beverage consumption and inform ongoing scientific and policy discussions about the effectiveness of this intervention at reducing population intake of free sugars in beverages.Trial registration ISRCTN14964130

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The impact of price discounts and calorie messaging on beverage consumption: A multi-site field study

Cited by 28 publications

References 19 publications

Choosing healthier foods in recreational sports settings: a mixed methods investigation of the impact of nudging and an economic incentive

Choosing healthier foods in recreational sports settings: a mixed methods investigation of the impact of nudging and an economic incentive

Promotion of Healthy Eating Through Public Policy

Impact of bottle size on in-home consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages: protocol for a feasibility and acceptability study

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