title: Supermarket discounts of low-energy density foods: effects on purchasing, food intake, and body weight.
abstract: To assess the effects of a 50% discount on low-energy density (ED) fruits and vegetables (F&V), bottled water, and diet sodas on shoppers' purchasing, food intake, and body weight.
  
  
  
  A randomized, controlled trial was conducted at two Manhattan supermarkets, in which a 4-week baseline period (no discounts) preceded an 8-week intervention period (50% discount), and a 4-week follow-up period (no discounts). Twenty-four hour dietary recall, as well as body weight and body composition measures were obtained every 4 weeks. Participants (n = 47, 33f; 14m) were overweight and obese (BMI ≥ 25) shoppers.
  
  
  
  Purchasing of F&V during intervention was greater in the discount group than in the control group (P < 0.0001). Purchasing of these items by the discount group relative to the control group during follow-up was reduced from intervention (P = 0.002), but still remained higher than during baseline (P = 0.01), indicating a partially sustained effect. Intake of F&V increased from baseline to intervention in the discount group relative to the control group (P = 0.037) and was sustained during follow-up. Body weight change did not differ significantly between groups, although post hoc analysis indicated a change within the discount group (-1.1 kg, P = 0.006) but not within the control group.
  
  
  
  Discounts of low-ED F&V led to increased purchasing and intake of those foods.
authors.affiliation: New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10025; Department of Psychology, Touro College, New York, NY 10010.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geliebter
authors.forename: Ian Yi Han
authors.initials: IYH
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernales-Korins
authors.forename: Dominica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Christopher N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ochner
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ungredda
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kolbe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001628:Beverages; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003657:Decision Making; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D040541:Marketing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult