@article{17279,
  author = {Blakely T. and Mhurchu C. and Jiang Y. and Eyles H. and Rodgers A},
  title = {Effects of price discounts and tailored nutrition education on supermarket purchases: a randomized controlled trial},
  abstract = {<p>
BACKGROUND: Traditional methods to improve population diets have largely relied on individual responsibility, but there is growing interest in structural interventions such as pricing policies. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of price discounts and tailored nutrition education on supermarket food and nutrient purchases. DESIGN: A 2 x 2 factorial randomized controlled trial was conducted in 8 New Zealand supermarkets. A total of 1104 shoppers were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 4 interventions that were delivered over 6 mo: price discounts (12.5%) on healthier foods, tailored nutrition education, discounts plus education, or control (no intervention). The primary outcome was change in saturated fat purchased at 6 mo. Secondary outcomes were changes in other nutrients and foods purchased at 6 and 12 mo. Outcomes were assessed by using electronic scanner sales data. RESULTS: At 6 mo, the difference in saturated fat purchased for price discounts on healthier foods compared with that purchased for no discount on healthier foods was -0.02% (95% CI: -0.40%, 0.36%; P = 0.91). The corresponding difference for tailored nutrition education compared with that for no education was -0.09% (95% CI: -0.47%, 0.30%; P = 0.66). However, those subjects who were randomly assigned to receive price discounts bought significantly more predefined healthier foods at 6 mo (11% more; mean difference: 0.79 kg/wk; 95% CI: 0.43, 1.16; P &lt; 0.001) and 12 mo (5% more; mean difference: 0.38 kg/wk; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.76; P = 0.045). Education had no effect on food purchases. CONCLUSIONS: Neither price discounts nor tailored nutrition education had a significant effect on nutrients purchased. However, the significant and sustained effect of discounts on food purchases suggests that pricing strategies hold promise as a means to improve population diets.
</p>
},
  year = {2010},
  journal = {American Journal of Clinical Nutrition},
  volume = {91},
  edition = {2010/01/01},
  number = {3},
  pages = {736-47},
  isbn = {1938-3207 (Electronic)0002-9165 (Linking)},
  note = {Ni Mhurchu, ClionaBlakely, TonyJiang, YannanEyles, Helen CRodgers, AnthonyRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tUnited StatesThe American journal of clinical nutritionAm J Clin Nutr. 2010 Mar;91(3):736-47. Epub 2009 Dec 30.},
  language = {eng},
}