title: A pricing strategy to promote low-fat snack choices through vending machines.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454-1015, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Story
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hannan
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce; D004041:Dietary Fats; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats