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Effect of point of purchase nutrition information and value size pricing on fast food meal choices
Author(s) -
Harnack Lisa J,
French Simone,
Oakes Michael,
Rydell Sarah,
Story Mary,
Jeffery Robert
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a159-d
Subject(s) - meal , nutrition information , calorie , portion size , food choice , context (archaeology) , value (mathematics) , point of sale , serving size , food science , mathematics , medicine , statistics , biology , computer science , paleontology , pathology , endocrinology , world wide web
To examine the effect of point of purchase nutrition information and value size pricing on fast food meal choices, we conducted a randomized 2x2 factorial experiment in which subjects ordered a fast food meal from one of four menus that varied with respect to whether nutrition information was provided (yes/no) and whether value size pricing was used (yes/no). Study participants included 594 adolescents and adults who eat regularly at fast food restaurants. Study staff recorded the foods ordered and consumed by each participant, thus providing information needed to compare the nutrient composition of the meals selected and consumed by experimental condition. No significant differences in the nutrient composition of meals ordered and eaten were found between menu conditions. For example, the average energy content of meals ordered by those randomized to a menu that included calorie information for all food items and did not include value size pricing was 842.3 kcals compared with 827.5 kcals for those who ordered their meal from a menu that did not include calorie information and included value size pricing (control menu). Results were similar in most analyses conducted stratified by factors such as age, race and education level. Results suggest that point of purchase nutrition information may not lead to improved fast food meal choices in the context of current consumer attitudes and nutrition knowledge level.