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Effects of promotional materials on vending sales of low-fat items in teachers’ lounges

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Abstract

This study examined the impact of an environmental intervention in the form of promotional materials and increased availability of low-fat items on vending machine sales. Ten vending machines were selected and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control, or one of two experimental conditions. Vending machines in the two intervention conditions received three additional low-fat selections. Low-fat items were promoted at two levels: labels (intervention I), and labels plus signs (intervention II). The number of individual items sold and the total revenue generated was recorded weekly for each machine for 4 weeks. Use of promotional materials resulted in a small, but not significant, increase in the number of low-fat items sold, although machine sales were not significantly impacted by the change in product selection. Results of this study, although not statistically significant, suggest that environmental change may be a realistic means of positively influencing consumer behavior.

Section snippets

Methods

This study used 10 vending machines, each located in a different elementary or middle school teachers’ lounge within a southeast Texas school district. Machines were selected by the Food Service Director based on the ability to electronically track machine sales at these sites. All of the machines were unrefrigerated, equal in size, and held 28 similar snack food items and 5 gum selections. For this study, items containing 5 g fat or less per selection were defined as low-fat items.

A 2-week

Results and discussion

During the baseline period, there were no significant differences in the number of low-fat items sold (F=0.781, P>.05) or in the total dollar sales (F=1.024, P>.05) from the vending machines in each of the three experimental conditions (Table 1).

More low-fat items were sold from vending machines in the intervention II condition (increased availability plus labels plus signs on the machines). The mean numbers of low-fat snacks sold were 2.5, 2.6, and 3.2 in the control, intervention I

Applications

An environment conducive to overconsumption may be a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. Prevention efforts should focus on improving environments that contribute to obesity-promoting behaviors. The results of this study suggest that simple environmental changes in vending machine selections may be a realistic means of promoting healthier food choices without loss of revenue for the vending machine owners. Dietitians should encourage clients to assess whether healthful food choices are

Acknowledgements

This work is a publication of the United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX. This project has been funded in part by federal funds from the USDA/ARS under Cooperative Agreement No. 58-6250-6001. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the USDA, nor does mention of trade names,

A. Fiske is a research dietitian and K. W. Cullen is an assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

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A. Fiske is a research dietitian and K. W. Cullen is an assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

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