A pricing strategy to promote low-fat snack choices through vending machines.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the role of price on purchases of low-fat snacks from vending machines.


METHODS
Sales of low-fat and regular snacks were monitored in nine vending machines during a 4-week baseline, a 3-week intervention in which prices of low-fat snacks were reduced 50%, and 3 weeks postintervention.


RESULTS
The proportion of low-fat snacks purchased was 25.7%, 45.8%, and 22.8% in the three periods, respectively. Total snack purchases did not vary by period.


CONCLUSIONS
Reducing relative prices may be effective in promoting lower-fat food choices in the population. Vending machines may be a feasible method for implementing such nutrition interventions.
French
S A
SA
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454-1015, USA.
Jeffery
R W
RW
Story
M
M
Hannan
P
P
Snyder
M P
MP
D003132:Commerce; D004041:Dietary Fats; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States
D004041:Dietary Fats