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Kosicka-Gębska M, Sajdakowska M, Jeżewska-Zychowicz M, Gębski J, Gutkowska K. Consumer Perception of Innovative Fruit and Cereal Bars-Current and Future Perspectives. Nutrients 2024; 16:1606. [PMID: 38892537 PMCID: PMC11175122 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to ascertain consumers' interest in innovative fruit and cereal bars and their expectations of changes that could be applied by manufacturers to improve their health-promoting properties. An additional aim was to assess how these interests and expectations, as well as the information provided on the product label, determine the willingness to purchase a fruit and cereal bar with health-promoting properties. Data were collected through a quantitative CAWI survey conducted in 2020. It involved 1034 respondents. A logistic regression model was developed in which the dependent variable was the respondents' interest in an innovative fruit and cereal bar on whose packaging the manufacturer declared its health-promoting properties. It was found that producers' efforts to change the packaging to an organic one (OR = 1.24) along with enriching the product with chia seeds/flaxseed (OR = 1.22), vitamins and minerals (OR = 1.19), as well as fruit (OR = 1.14) and protein (OR = 1.12), or removing ingredients that cause allergies, would significantly increase the chance of respondents purchasing such a bar. A celebrity image and a claim that the product "helps maintain a healthy body weight" on the label would also encourage purchases. On the other hand, reducing the sugar content or enriching a fruit and cereal bar with powdered insects would significantly reduce the propensity to buy it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Kosicka-Gębska
- Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), Nowoursynowska 159 C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.S.); (M.J.-Z.); (J.G.); (K.G.)
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Kondili LA, Lazarus JV, Jepsen P, Murray F, Schattenberg JM, Korenjak M, Craxì L, Buti M. Inequities in primary liver cancer in Europe: The state of play. J Hepatol 2024; 80:645-660. [PMID: 38237866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Given the increasing burden of liver cancer in Europe, it is crucial to investigate how social determinants of health (SDoH) affect liver cancer risk factors and access to care in order to improve health outcomes equitably. This paper summarises the available evidence on the differential distribution of liver cancer risk factors, incidence, and health outcomes in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom from an SDoH perspective. Vulnerable and marginalised populations have low socio-economic and educational levels and are the most affected by liver cancer risk factors. Reasons for this include varied access to hepatitis B virus vaccination and limited access to viral hepatitis B and C screening, harm reduction, and treatment. Additionally, alcohol-related liver disease remains highly prevalent among individuals with low education, insecure employment, economic instability, migrants, and deprived populations. Moreover, significant variation exists across Europe in the proportion of adults with steatotic liver disease, overweight/obesity, and diabetes, based on geographical area, gender, socio-economic and educational background, and density of ultra-processed food outlets. Inequities in cirrhosis mortality rates have been reported, with the highest death rates among individuals living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas and those with lower educational levels. Furthermore, insufficient healthcare access for key populations with primary liver cancer is influenced by complex healthcare systems, stigmatisation, discrimination, low education, language barriers, and fear of disclosure. These challenges contribute to inequities in liver cancer care pathways. Future studies are needed to explore the different SDoH-interlinked effects on liver cancer incidence and outcomes in European countries. The ultimate goal is to develop evidence-based multilevel public health interventions that reduce the SDoH impact in precipitating and perpetuating the disproportionate burden of liver cancer in specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreta A Kondili
- National Centre for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy, UniCamillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York, NY, USA; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter Jepsen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frank Murray
- Beaumont Private Clinic, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Jörn M Schattenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg and Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Lucia Craxì
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Stuber JM, Mackenbach JD, de Bruijn GJ, Gillebaart M, Hoenink JC, Middel CNH, de Ridder DTD, van der Schouw YT, Smit EG, Velema E, Vos AL, Waterlander WE, Lakerveld J, Beulens JWJ. Real-world nudging, pricing, and mobile physical activity coaching was insufficient to improve lifestyle behaviours and cardiometabolic health: the Supreme Nudge parallel cluster-randomised controlled supermarket trial. BMC Med 2024; 22:52. [PMID: 38303069 PMCID: PMC10835818 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03268-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Context-specific interventions may contribute to sustained behaviour change and improved health outcomes. We evaluated the real-world effects of supermarket nudging and pricing strategies and mobile physical activity coaching on diet quality, food-purchasing behaviour, walking behaviour, and cardiometabolic risk markers. METHODS This parallel cluster-randomised controlled trial included supermarkets in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods across the Netherlands with regular shoppers aged 30-80 years. Supermarkets were randomised to receive co-created nudging and pricing strategies promoting healthier purchasing (N = 6) or not (N = 6). Nudges targeted 9% of supermarket products and pricing strategies 3%. Subsequently, participants were individually randomised to a control (step counter app) or intervention arm (step counter and mobile coaching app) to promote walking. The primary outcome was the average change in diet quality (low (0) to high (150)) over all follow-up time points measured with a validated 40-item food frequency questionnaire at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included healthier food purchasing (loyalty card-derived), daily step count (step counter app), cardiometabolic risk markers (lipid profile and HbA1c via finger prick, and waist circumference via measuring tape), and supermarket customer satisfaction (questionnaire-based: very unsatisfied (1) to very satisfied (7)), evaluated using linear mixed-models. Healthy supermarket sales (an exploratory outcome) were analysed via controlled interrupted time series analyses. RESULTS Of 361 participants (162 intervention, 199 control), 73% were female, the average age was 58 (SD 11) years, and 42% were highly educated. Compared to the control arm, the intervention arm showed no statistically significant average changes over time in diet quality (β - 1.1 (95% CI - 3.8 to 1.7)), percentage healthy purchasing (β 0.7 ( - 2.7 to 4.0)), step count (β - 124.0 (- 723.1 to 475.1), or any of the cardiometabolic risk markers. Participants in the intervention arm scored 0.3 points (0.1 to 0.5) higher on customer satisfaction on average over time. Supermarket-level sales were unaffected (β - 0.0 (- 0.0 to 0.0)). CONCLUSIONS Co-created nudging and pricing strategies that predominantly targeted healthy products via nudges were unable to increase healthier food purchases and intake nor improve cardiometabolic health. The mobile coaching intervention did not affect step count. Governmental policy measures are needed to ensure more impactful supermarket modifications that promote healthier purchases. TRIAL REGISTRATION Dutch Trial Register ID NL7064, 30 May 2018, https://www.onderzoekmetmensen.nl/en/trial/20990.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josine M Stuber
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Upstream Team, www.upstreamteam.nl, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Joreintje D Mackenbach
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Upstream Team, www.upstreamteam.nl, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan de Bruijn
- Department of Communication Science, University of Antwerp, St-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marleen Gillebaart
- Department of Social, Health and Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jody C Hoenink
- Centre for Diet and Activity Research, MRC Epidemiology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Cédric N H Middel
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Upstream Team, www.upstreamteam.nl, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Denise T D de Ridder
- Department of Social, Health and Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Yvonne T van der Schouw
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Edith G Smit
- Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth Velema
- Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), Bezuidenhoutseweg 105, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Anne L Vos
- Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wilma E Waterlander
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Lakerveld
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Upstream Team, www.upstreamteam.nl, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joline W J Beulens
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Upstream Team, www.upstreamteam.nl, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Vogel C, Dijkstra C, Huitink M, Dhuria P, Poelman MP, Mackenbach JD, Crozier S, Seidell J, Baird J, Ball K. Real-life experiments in supermarkets to encourage healthy dietary-related behaviours: opportunities, challenges and lessons learned. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2023; 20:73. [PMID: 37340326 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-023-01448-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supermarkets are the primary source of food for many people yet their full potential as a setting to encourage healthy dietary-related behaviours remains underutilised. Sharing the experiences from research groups who have worked with supermarket chains to evaluate strategies that promote healthy eating could improve the efficiency of building such relationships and enhance the design quality of future research studies. METHODS A collective case study approach was used to synthesise experiences of engaging and sustaining research collaborations with national supermarket chains to test the effectiveness of health-focused in-store interventions. The collective narrative covers studies conducted in three high-income countries: Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. RESULTS We have distilled our experiences and lessons learned into six recommendations for conducting high quality public health research with commercial supermarket chains. These include: (i) using personal contacts, knowledge of supermarket activities and engaging executive management to establish a partnership and allowing time to build trust; (ii) using scientifically robust study designs with appropriate sample size calculations; (iii) formalising data exchange arrangements and allocating adequate resource for data extraction and re-categorisation; (iv) assessing effects at individual/households level where possible; (v) designing a mixed-methods process evaluation to measure intervention fidelity, dose and unintended consequences; and (vi) ensuring scientific independence through formal contract agreements. CONCLUSIONS Our collective experiences of working in non-financial partnerships with national supermarket chains could be useful for other research groups looking to develop and implement supermarket studies in an efficient manner. Further evidence from real-life supermarket interventions is necessary to identify sustainable strategies that can improve population diet and maintain necessary commercial outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Vogel
- Centre for Food Policy, City, University of London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK.
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Coosje Dijkstra
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands.
| | - Marlijn Huitink
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Preeti Dhuria
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Maartje P Poelman
- Chair group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8130, Wageningen, 6700 EW, The Netherlands
| | - Joreintje D Mackenbach
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah Crozier
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jacob Seidell
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Janis Baird
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Kylie Ball
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
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Chapman LE, Burstein S, Sadeghzadeh C, Sheppard B, De Marco M. Evaluation of a Healthy Checkout Lane "Nudge" on Grocery and Convenience Store Sales of a Price-Promoted Nutritious Food. Health Promot Pract 2023; 24:111-120. [PMID: 34643128 DOI: 10.1177/15248399211048463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Grocery store intervention trials, including trials testing behavioral economics "nudges," may change food-purchasing behaviors and improve diet quality. This study aimed to design and evaluate a grocery store healthy checkout lane "nudge" intervention on sales of a targeted healthy item. We conducted a randomized controlled trial based on the behavioral economic concept of cognitive fatigue and the marketing concept of impulse buying. Six grocery stores from one North Carolina-based chain were randomized to the intervention (n = 3) or control (n = 3) condition. Researchers tested a 4-week healthy checkout lane intervention, in which intervention stores moved 6-ounce cans of peanuts to the cash registers. Cashiers were instructed to upsell the peanuts to all shoppers at checkout. While not a component of the intervention, the retailer decreased the price of the peanuts from $1.99 to $1.50 during the first 2 weeks of the intervention. Fidelity to the checkout display was high. Fidelity to the upsell was low. The main outcome measure was aggregated store-level sales of the promoted peanuts for 4 weeks before the intervention and during the 4-week intervention period. On average, sales increased by 10 units/week in intervention stores (5.83 vs. 15.83 units, p = .04) with no significant change in control stores (1.42 vs. 1.17 units, p = .64). The difference (10 vs. -0.25 units, p = .02) was likely due to displaying the peanuts at checkout combined with the price promotion. Larger randomized controlled trials should examine whether healthy checkout lane interventions are effective "nudges" for promoting purchases of healthier foods in grocery stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Elizabeth Chapman
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.,Food, Fitness and Opportunity Research Collaborative, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Sarah Burstein
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.,Food, Fitness and Opportunity Research Collaborative, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Claire Sadeghzadeh
- Food, Fitness and Opportunity Research Collaborative, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Brett Sheppard
- Food, Fitness and Opportunity Research Collaborative, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Molly De Marco
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.,Food, Fitness and Opportunity Research Collaborative, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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Rogus S, Guthrie J, Niculescu M, Xu L. The impact of a healthy checkout intervention on fruit and vegetable 'micro-pack' purchases in New Mexico. Public Health Nutr 2022; 25:1-9. [PMID: 36093640 PMCID: PMC9991551 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022002026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Produce sold as plastic-wrapped packs of two to four individual items (i.e., produce micro-packs) that are low cost and placed at checkout may appeal to shoppers with budget constraints and provide a second chance to purchase items available elsewhere in the store. This study examined the impact of an intervention that placed produce micro-packs at checkout and promoted them in grocery stores across New Mexico, USA. DESIGN This quasi-experimental study placed produce micro-packs at checkout end-caps in thirteen stores (group 1), with eight stores serving as controls (group 2) from 1 July 2019 through 31 January 2020 (first phase). The intervention was extended to group 2 stores from 1 February 2020 through 30 June 2020 (second phase). Cashiers were directed to upsell the micro-packs to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children recipients who had unspent cash value benefits for produce purchases. SETTING Twenty-one grocery stores across New Mexico. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one produce items sold as micro-packs in stores from July 2019 through June 2020. RESULTS A random effects model showed that the daily sales of micro-packs increased by 47 % during each intervention period. Group 2 stores had lower sales than group 1 stores during the first phase of the intervention. Once extended to group 2 stores, sales of micro-packs in those stores increased and sales in group 1 stores continued at the higher level. CONCLUSIONS Placing produce micro-packs at checkout may increase produce sales and support health promotion efforts by public and private stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Rogus
- Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, New Mexico State University, MSC 3470, P.O. Box 30003, Las Cruces, NM88003, USA
| | - Joanne Guthrie
- Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mihai Niculescu
- Marketing Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Lina Xu
- Marketing Department, The Pennsylvania State University, Abington, PA, USA
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Fildes A, Lally P, Morris MA, Dalton A, Croker H. Impact on purchasing behaviour of implementing ‘junk free checkouts’: A pre‐post study. NUTR BULL 2022; 47:333-345. [DOI: 10.1111/nbu.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Phillippa Lally
- Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health University College London London UK
| | - Michelle A. Morris
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics & School of Medicine University of Leeds Leeds UK
| | - Alexandra Dalton
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics & School of Medicine University of Leeds Leeds UK
| | - Helen Croker
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department London UK
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Consumer Motives for Choosing Fruit and Cereal Bars—Differences Due to Consumer Lifestyles, Attitudes toward the Product, and Expectations. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14132710. [PMID: 35807890 PMCID: PMC9268435 DOI: 10.3390/nu14132710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fruit and cereal bars are the response to the changing needs of consumers seeking health-promoting and convenient products. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method, with 1034 respondents consuming products of this kind. The aims of the study were (1) to identify consumer segments based on the importance they attached to the selected attributes of fruit and cereal bars and (2) to characterize the identified segments in terms of frequency and reasons for the consumption of fruit and cereal bars, views on their impact on health, and consumer behavior related to the selected lifestyle elements. Five distinct consumer clusters were identified. Involved and Health-oriented were more likely to consume bars, perceiving them as nutritious products, with a positive impact on health. Frugal and Visual consumed fruit and cereal bars the least frequently. They paid little attention to choosing healthier products in daily diet and physical activity. The Information seekers consumed bars to reduce stress and to improve their mood.
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Dunford EK, Popkin B, Ng SW. Junk Food Intake Among Adults in the United States. J Nutr 2022; 152:492-500. [PMID: 34224563 PMCID: PMC8826924 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no consensus on how to define "junk food." In 2016, Chile implemented the most comprehensive set of obesity-preventive regulations in the world, including criteria to define unhealthy foods. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine the amount of energy, sodium, sugar, and saturated fat consumed by US adults defined as junk food using the Chilean criteria. METHODS We used 2 nationally representative surveys of food intake in 10,001 US adults: NHANES 2015-2016 and NHANES 2017-2018. The main outcome measures were the contributions of energy, total sugars, saturated fat, and sodium deriving from junk food sources. Mean intake and proportion of energy, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium for junk food overall and each food category were calculated. RESULTS Overall, 47% of energy, 75% of total sugar, 46% of sodium, and 48% of saturated fat consumed by US adults derived from junk food sources. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were responsible for more than 40% of total sugar intake deriving from junk foods. Non-Hispanic black adults had the highest mean energy, total sugar, and sodium intake deriving from junk foods, with non-Hispanic white adults having the highest saturated fat intake. Non-Hispanic black adults had the highest intake of total sugar deriving from junk food sources of SSBs (26.7 g/d), with SSBs representing >40% of total sugar intake deriving from junk food sources for all race/ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS Foods that meet the Chilean criteria for junk food provide approximately half or more daily energy and food components to limit in the diet of US adults, with important differences observed between race/ethnic groups. Policy efforts to reduce junk food intake, particularly the intake of SSBs, must be expanded to improve the cardiometabolic health equitably in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Dunford
- Food Policy Division, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings Global School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Barry Popkin
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings Global School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings Global School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Klerks M, Román S, Verkerk R, Sanchez-Siles L. Are cereal bars significantly healthier and more natural than chocolate bars? A preliminary assessment in the German market. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.104940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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The Potential for Healthy Checkout Policies to Advance Nutrition Equity. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13114181. [PMID: 34836436 PMCID: PMC8618319 DOI: 10.3390/nu13114181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the only place in a store where all customers must pass through and wait, the checkout lane may be particularly influential over consumer purchases. Because most foods and beverages sold at checkout are unhealthy (e.g., candy, sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and salty snacks), policymakers and advocates have expressed growing interest in healthy checkout policies. To understand the extent to which such policies could improve nutrition equity, we assessed the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of purchasing items found at (i.e., from) checkout. METHODS We assessed self-reported checkout purchasing and sociodemographic characteristics in a national convenience sample of adults (n = 10,348) completing an online survey in 2021. RESULTS Over one third (36%) of participants reported purchasing foods or drinks from checkout during their last grocery shopping trip. Purchasing items from checkout was more common among men; adults < 55 years of age; low-income consumers; Hispanic, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native, and non-Hispanic Black consumers; those with a graduate or professional degree; parents; and consumers diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes (p-values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Purchasing foods or beverages from store checkouts is common and more prevalent among low-income and Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Black consumers. These results suggest that healthy checkout policies have the potential to improve nutrition equity.
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12
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Improving local food environments and dietary habits in adolescents by engaging with stakeholders in the Netherlands. Proc Nutr Soc 2021; 81:141-145. [PMID: 34588013 DOI: 10.1017/s0029665121003633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Vogel C, Crozier S, Penn-Newman D, Ball K, Moon G, Lord J, Cooper C, Baird J. Altering product placement to create a healthier layout in supermarkets: Outcomes on store sales, customer purchasing, and diet in a prospective matched controlled cluster study. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003729. [PMID: 34491999 PMCID: PMC8423266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous product placement trials in supermarkets are limited in scope and outcome data collected. This study assessed the effects on store-level sales, household-level purchasing, and dietary behaviours of a healthier supermarket layout. METHODS AND FINDINGS This is a prospective matched controlled cluster trial with 2 intervention components: (i) new fresh fruit and vegetable sections near store entrances (replacing smaller displays at the back) and frozen vegetables repositioned to the entrance aisle, plus (ii) the removal of confectionery from checkouts and aisle ends opposite. In this pilot study, the intervention was implemented for 6 months in 3 discount supermarkets in England. Three control stores were matched on store sales and customer profiles and neighbourhood deprivation. Women customers aged 18 to 45 years, with loyalty cards, were assigned to the intervention (n = 62) or control group (n = 88) of their primary store. The trial registration number is NCT03518151. Interrupted time series analysis showed that increases in store-level sales of fruits and vegetables were greater in intervention stores than predicted at 3 (1.71 standard deviations (SDs) (95% CI 0.45, 2.96), P = 0.01) and 6 months follow-up (2.42 SDs (0.22, 4.62), P = 0.03), equivalent to approximately 6,170 and approximately 9,820 extra portions per store, per week, respectively. The proportion of purchasing fruits and vegetables per week rose among intervention participants at 3 and 6 months compared to control participants (0.2% versus -3.0%, P = 0.22; 1.7% versus -3.5%, P = 0.05, respectively). Store sales of confectionery were lower in intervention stores than predicted at 3 (-1.05 SDs (-1.98, -0.12), P = 0.03) and 6 months (-1.37 SDs (-2.95, 0.22), P = 0.09), equivalent to approximately 1,359 and approximately 1,575 fewer portions per store, per week, respectively; no differences were observed for confectionery purchasing. Changes in dietary variables were predominantly in the expected direction for health benefit. Intervention implementation was not within control of the research team, and stores could not be randomised. It is a pilot study, and, therefore, not powered to detect an effect. CONCLUSIONS Healthier supermarket layouts can improve the nutrition profile of store sales and likely improve household purchasing and dietary quality. Placing fruits and vegetables near store entrances should be considered alongside policies to limit prominent placement of unhealthy foods. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03518151 (pre-results).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Vogel
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Crozier
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Penn-Newman
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Kylie Ball
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Graham Moon
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Lord
- Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre, Wessex Institute, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Janis Baird
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Van Dam I, Wood B, Sacks G, Allais O, Vandevijvere S. A detailed mapping of the food industry in the European single market: similarities and differences in market structure across countries and sectors. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2021; 18:54. [PMID: 33902639 PMCID: PMC8074488 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-021-01117-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food environments are influenced by food industries (packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers; supermarkets and quick service restaurants). An important source of this influence is the significant market power held by a limited number of food companies. Market structure analysis, as part of a broader market power research agenda, has received limited attention from the public health community. The aim of this study was to analyse similarities and differences in market structure across countries and industries in the European Single Market. METHODS The companies with the largest market share at the national level for each industry were identified from Euromonitor sales data in 2017/18. The market structure was assessed by the following metrics: the number of global brand owners with ≥1% market share per country, the number of companies unique for one European Single Market member state, the most sold packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage categories, the number of quick-service restaurants and supermarkets per 1000 inhabitants and market concentration by means of the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and the four firm concentration ratio (CR4). CR4-values > 40% and HHI-values > 2000 indicate concentrated markets with limited competition. RESULTS The leading packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers and the most sold food and beverage product categories were similar across countries in Europe. The observed levels of concentration were however different. Average CR4-values ranged from 21 to 72% among packaged food product markets and 60 to 76% for non-alcoholic beverage product markets. Average CR4-values for quick service restaurants and supermarkets were 50 and 60%, respectively. Across European countries the same leading quick-service restaurants were identified, while this was not the case for supermarkets. CONCLUSIONS This study forms an important basis to understand key aspects of market structure of the European food industry, observing clear differences between food industries and European Single Market member states. This has potential implications for the implementation of food environment policies at different levels of jurisdiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Van Dam
- Sciensano, Service of Lifestyle and chronic diseases, Brussels, Belgium
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR ALISS, 94205 Ivry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Benjamin Wood
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
| | - Gary Sacks
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220 Australia
| | - Olivier Allais
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR ALISS, 94205 Ivry-sur-Seine, France
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Huitink M, Poelman MP, Seidell JC, Kuijper LDJ, Hoekstsra T, Dijkstra C. Can Healthy Checkout Counters Improve Food Purchases? Two Real-Life Experiments in Dutch Supermarkets. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17228611. [PMID: 33228189 PMCID: PMC7699573 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most snacks displayed at supermarket checkouts do not contribute to a healthy diet. We investigated the effects of introducing healthier snack alternatives at checkouts in supermarkets on purchasing behavior. In Study 1, we investigated the effect of completely substituting less healthy with healthier snacks (one supermarket). In Study 2, we investigated the effect of placing and discounting healthier snacks while the less healthy snacks remain in place (two supermarkets). In both studies, the number of purchased snacks (per 1000 customers) was used as the outcome variable. Results for Study 1 showed that the absolute number of purchased checkout snacks was 2.4 times lower (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-2.7) when healthier snacks instead of less healthy snacks were placed at the supermarket checkouts. Results for Study 2 showed that when additional healthier snacks were placed near the checkouts, the absolute number of healthier purchased snacks increased by a factor of 2.1 (95% CI: 1.3-3.3). When additional healthier snacks were placed near the checkouts and discounted, the absolute number of healthier purchased snacks increased by a factor of 2.7 (95% CI: 2.0-3.6), although this was not statistically significant higher than placement only (ratio: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.7-1.9). Purchases of less healthy snacks did not decline, and even slightly increased, during the intervention period (ratio: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5). If supermarkets want to promote healthier snack purchases, additional healthier products can be positioned near the checkouts. However, this does not discourages the purchase of less healthy snacks. Therefore, to discourage unhealthy snack purchases at supermarket checkouts, a total substitution of less healthy snacks with healthier alternatives is most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlijn Huitink
- Department of Health Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.C.S.); (L.D.J.K.); (T.H.); (C.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Maartje P. Poelman
- Chair Group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Jacob C. Seidell
- Department of Health Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.C.S.); (L.D.J.K.); (T.H.); (C.D.)
| | - Lothar D. J. Kuijper
- Department of Health Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.C.S.); (L.D.J.K.); (T.H.); (C.D.)
| | - Trynke Hoekstsra
- Department of Health Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.C.S.); (L.D.J.K.); (T.H.); (C.D.)
| | - Coosje Dijkstra
- Department of Health Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.C.S.); (L.D.J.K.); (T.H.); (C.D.)
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Association between Neighborhood Food Access, Household Income, and Purchase of Snacks and Beverages in the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17207517. [PMID: 33076500 PMCID: PMC7602560 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Considerable research on the risk factors of obesity and chronic diseases has focused on relationships between where people live, where they shop, and the types of food they purchase. Rarely have investigators used a national sample and explicitly addressed the amount of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods purchased in different types of neighborhood food stores. Even more rarely have studies accounted for the characteristics of the broader built environment in which food stores are located and which affect the convenience of using neighborhood food stores. We used a large population-based cohort of predominantly white U.S. households from the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel 2010 dataset to examine whether there were positive cross-sectional associations between availability of neighborhood convenience stores and supermarkets and self-reported household annual expenditures for snacks and beverages. We examined this relationship separately for poor and non-poor households as defined by the 2010 U.S. federal poverty threshold. We used mixed error-component regression models to examine associations between availability of neighborhood food stores and the expenditures on snacks and beverages, controlling for regional destination accessibility, availability and diversity of neighborhood destinations, and neighborhood street connectivity. In multivariate analyses, we observed that poor households in neighborhoods with few convenience stores purchased more snacks than poor households in neighborhoods with many convenience stores (b = -0.008, p < 0.05). Non-poor households in neighborhoods with many convenience stores and fewer supermarkets purchased more snacks than non-poor households in neighborhoods with few convenience stores and many supermarkets (b = 0.002, p < 0.05 for convenience stores; b = -0.027, p < 0.05 for supermarkets). Increase in number of convenience stores decreased the purchase of snacks by poor households, but increased in non-poor households. On other hand, increase in number of supermarkets discouraged purchase of snacks by non-poor households but had no effect on the purchasing behavior of the poor-households.Therefore, evaluation of access to energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods should include a consideration of geographic proximity. Local governments should consider strategies to expand the availability and access to nutrient-rich food and beverage products in convenience stores for consumers.
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