The effects of nudging and pricing on healthy food purchasing behavior in a virtual supermarket setting: a randomized experiment

Abstract Objective: To evaluate a Produce Prescription Programme’s utilisation, and its effects on healthy food purchasing and diabetes control among participants with type 2 diabetes. Design: Prospective cohort study using participants’ electronic health records (EHR) and food transaction data. Participants were categorized as “Frequent Spenders” and “Sometimes Spenders” based on utilisation frequency. Multivariate regressions assessed utilisation predictors; and programme effects on fruit/vegetable purchasing (spending, expenditure share, variety) and on diabetes-related outcomes (HbA1c, BMI, blood pressure). Setting: Patients enrolled by clinics in Durham, North Carolina, USA. Participants received $40 monthly for fruits and vegetables at a grocery store chain. Subjects: 699 food-insecure participants (353 with diabetes). Results: Being female and older was associated with higher programme utilisation; hospitalisations were negatively associated with programme utilisation. Frequent Spender status was associated with $8.77 more in fruit/vegetable spending (p < 0.001), 3.3% increase in expenditure share (p = 0.007), and variety increase of 2.52 fruits and vegetables (p < 0.001). For $10 of Produce Prescription Dollars spent, there was an $8.00 increase in fruit/vegetable spending (p < 0.001), 4.1% increase in expenditure share, and variety increase of 2.3 fruits/vegetables (p < 0.001). For the 353 participants with diabetes, there were no statistically significant relationships between programme utilisation and diabetes control. Conclusions: Programme utilisation was associated with healthier food purchasing, but the relatively short study period and modest intervention prevent making conclusions about health outcomes. Produce Prescription Programmes can increase healthy food purchasing among food-insecure people, which may improve chronic disease care.

Download Full-text

A Theoretical Framework on the Determinants of Food Purchasing Behavior of the Elderly: A Bibliometric Review with Scientific Mapping in Web of Science

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10030688 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 688

Author(s):

Khaled Alhammadi ◽

Luna Santos-Roldán ◽

Luis Javier Cabeza-Ramírez

Keyword(s):

Elderly Population ◽

Web Of Science ◽

The Elderly ◽

Purchasing Behavior ◽

Food Purchasing ◽

The Past ◽

Bibliometric Review ◽

Food Market ◽

The Common ◽

Elderly Consumers

The past few years have seen significant demographic changes in most regions, including an increased elderly population. Subsequently, elderly citizens comprise an important market segment of consumers, with the food industry one of the most affected areas in this context. However, food market managers previously believed that elderly consumers’ needs were stereotyped in nature. The lack of focus on this sector, therefore, left elderly consumers as an untapped market, without realizing the financial independence of this segment regarding their nutrition. This research will attempt to provide the key determinant factors on elderly consumers’ behavior related to food. For that purpose, a complete literature review of more than 123 papers regarding these concepts has been carried out. Once analyzed, we highlight the common insights to give clear guidance for supermarket managers and food manufacturers to have a better knowledge of the reasons behind elderly people’s food acquisitions.

Download Full-text

An assessment of product class involvement in food‐purchasing behavior

European Journal of Marketing ◽

10.1108/03090560710752447 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 41 (7/8) ◽

pp. 888-914 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Andreas C. Drichoutis ◽

Panagiotis Lazaridis ◽

Rodolfo M. Nayga

Keyword(s):

Product Class ◽

Purchasing Behavior ◽

Food Purchasing

Download Full-text

A food purchasing behavior device for upper elementary students

10.31274/rtd-180813-6355 ◽

1983 ◽

Author(s):

Shirley Cline Gilmore

Keyword(s):

Elementary Students ◽

Upper Elementary ◽

Purchasing Behavior ◽

Food Purchasing

Download Full-text

Towards healthier food choices for hospital staff and visitors: impacts of a healthy food and drink policy implemented at scale in Australia

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021003426 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Leonie Cranney ◽

Margaret Thomas ◽

Leah Shepherd ◽

Megan Cobcroft ◽

Tarli O’Connell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Staff ◽

Healthy Food ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Food Purchasing ◽

Food Items ◽

Food Purchases ◽

Target Date ◽

Food And Drink ◽

The Impact ◽

At Home

Abstract Objective: To determine the impact of a healthy food and drink policy on hospital staff and visitors’ food purchasing behaviours, and their awareness and support for the changes introduced. Design: Two repeated cross-sectional surveys, consisting of intercept interviews and observations of food items purchased were conducted before (March-July 2018) and after (April-June 2019) the target date for implementation of 13 food and drink practices (31 December 2018). Food purchases were coded as ‘Everyday’ (healthy) or ‘Occasional’ (unhealthy). Setting: Ten randomly selected NSW public hospitals, collection sites including hospital entrances and 13 hospital cafés/cafeterias. Participants: 4,808 hospital staff and visitors completed the surveys (response rate 85%). The majority were female (63%), spoke English at home (85%), and just over half had completed tertiary education (55%). Results: Significant increases from before to after the implementation target date were found for policy awareness (23% to 42%; p<0.0001) and support (89% to 92%; p=0.01). The proportion of ‘Everyday’ food purchases increased, but not significantly (56% to 59%; p=0.22); with significant heterogeneity between outlets (p=0.0008). Overall, younger, non-tertiary-educated adults, visitors and those that spoke English at home were significantly less likely to purchase ‘Everyday’ food items. Support was also significantly lower in males. Conclusions: The findings provide evidence of strong policy support, an increasing awareness of related changes, and a trend towards increased ‘Everyday’ food purchasing. Given the relatively early phase of policy implementation, and the complexity of individual food purchasing decisions, longer-term follow-up of purchasing behaviour is recommended following ongoing implementation efforts.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Culture on Food Consumption; a Case of Special Religious Days in Turkey

Journal of Food Research ◽

10.5539/jfr.v6n2p92 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 92

Author(s):

Dilistan Shipman ◽

Beril Durmus

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Food Choices ◽

Purchase Intentions ◽

Purchasing Behavior ◽

Food Purchasing ◽

Consumption Practices ◽

Different Cultures ◽

Religious Fasting

Cultural beliefs and traditions influence the consumption and the preparation of certain foods especially in special times in different cultures. Religion and traditions in different cultures lead to restrictions of some food from the diet. Culture and religion influence food consumption patterns. This paper documents how culture, religion and traditional knowledge impacts the food purchasing behavior and food choices. Most people in Turkey are Muslims and traditionally, their food consumption is influenced by the culture especially in Ramadan which involves religious fasting days and Ramadan is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-discipline and sacrifice. “Şeker Bayramı” which symbolizes the end of the fasting, is the first day of Shawwal, and it is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar period in which people treat their guests to sweets and traditional desserts. “Kurban Bayramı” commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to show his faithfulness to Allah takes place 70 days after the end of Ramadan and during these days the meat of the slaughtered animal is shared with the poor and neighbors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of Islamic beliefs and culture in moderating consumer’s attitudes, purchase intentions and consumption of food during these special days. A questionnaire was administered online among 297 participants and the responses were collated with factor analysis, independent sample T-test and ANOVA tests. The empirical research indicates variable food consumption practices during the Muslim festivals.

Download Full-text