Introducing taxes, subsidies or both: The effects of various food pricing strategies in a web-based supermarket randomized trial

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

卷:54

Article

Waterlander, Wilma E.^1,2,3  Steenhuis, Ingrid H. M.^1,2,3  de Boer, Michiel R.^1,2,3,4  Schuit, Albertine J.^1,2,3,5  Seidell, Jacob C.^1,2,3 

[1] Vrije Univ Amsterdam, FALW, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands

[2] Vrije Univ Amsterdam, Fac Earth & Life Sci, Dept Hlth Sci, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands

[3] Vrije Univ Amsterdam, Fac Earth & Life Sci, EMGO Inst Hlth & Care Res, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands

[4] Univ Groningen, Univ Med Ctr Groningen, Dept Hlth Sci Community & Occupat Med, NL-9700 AB Groningen, Netherlands

[5] Natl Inst Publ Hlth & Environm, NL-3720 BA Bilthoven, Netherlands

关键词: Nutrition policy;    Intervention studies;    Randomized controlled trial;    Food;    Financial support;    Health policy;    Health behavior;    Taxes;    Economics;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.02.009

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Objective. Fiscal policies may form a solution in improving dietary intake. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of varying taxing and subsiding schemes to stimulate healthier food purchases. Methods. A randomized controlled trial with three levels of price reduction on healthy foods (no; 25%; 50%) x three levels of price increase on unhealthy foods (5%; 10%; 25%) factorial design was used. 150 participants were randomized into one of nine conditions and were asked to purchase groceries at a web-based supermarket. Data were collected in the Netherlands in January-February 2010 and analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results. Subjects receiving 50% discount purchased significantly more healthy foods than subjects receiving no (mean difference = 6.62 items, p < 0.01) or 25% discount (mean difference = 4.87 items, p < 0.05). Moreover, these subjects purchased more vegetables (mean difference = 821 g; p < 0.05 compared to no discount). However, participants with the highest discount also purchased significantly more calories. No significant effects of the price increases on unhealthy foods were found. Conclusion. Price decreases are effective in stimulating healthy food purchases, but the proportion of healthy foods remains unaffected. Price increases up to 25% on unhealthier products do not significantly affect food purchases. Future studies are important to validate these results in real supermarkets and across different countries. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free