Derailing healthy choices: an audit of vending machines at train stations in NSW.
OBJECTIVE
Train stations provide opportunities for food purchases and many consumers are exposed to these venues daily, on their commute to and from work. This study aimed to describe the food environment that commuters are exposed to at train stations in NSW.


METHODS
One hundred train stations were randomly sampled from the Greater Sydney Metropolitan region, representing a range of demographic areas. A purpose-designed instrument was developed to collect information on the availability, promotion and cost of food and beverages in vending machines. Items were classified as high/low in energy according to NSW school canteen criteria.


RESULTS
Of the 206 vending machines identified, 84% of slots were stocked with high-energy food and beverages. The most frequently available items were chips and extruded snacks (33%), sugar-sweetened soft drinks (18%), chocolate (12%) and confectionery (10%). High energy foods were consistently cheaper than lower-energy alternatives.


CONCLUSIONS
Transport sites may cumulatively contribute to excess energy consumption as the items offered are energy dense. Interventions are required to improve train commuters' access to healthy food and beverages.
The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Bridget
B
Kelly
Victoria M
VM
Flood
Cecilia
C
Bicego
Heather
H
Yeatman
D002755:Choice Behavior; D005509:Food Dispensers, Automatic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011890:Railroads; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors