Published: October 2014

ID #: 69292

Journal: Am J Public Health

Authors: Bleich SN, Barry CL, Gary-Webb TL, Herring BJ

See more related research

Share


This paper examines the ways in which adolescents altered the type and size of their purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in response to an intervention in six corner stores located in lower-income, predominately black neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. Researchers used one of four randomly posted signs with caloric information about a 20 ounce SSB: 1) absolute calories; 2) number of teaspoons of sugar; 3) number of minutes running needed to burn it off; or 4) miles of walking necessary to burn it off. They collected the purchase data of a sample of black adolescents between ages 12 and 18. Researchers found that providing easy-to-understand caloric information significantly reduced the number of total beverage calories purchased (203 calories vs. 184 calories), the likelihood of buying a SSB (98% vs. 89%), and the likelihood of buying a SSB greater than 16 ounces (54% vs. 37%). They also found that the purchasing behaviors persisted for six weeks after the signs were removed. The reduction in calories purchased can be attributed to adolescents purchasing fewer sodas (44% vs. 30%) and sport drinks (3% vs. 1%) and purchasing more water (1% vs. 4%) and diet sodas (0.01% vs. 1%) as a result of the intervention.

Related Research

October 2014

Easy-to-Understand Calorie Information Reduces Sugary Drink Purchases Among Teens

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are an important contributor to adolescent obesity. One promising environmental strategy to reduce consumption of SSBs is to provide consumers with easily understandable caloric information. This infographic examines the effect of in-store calorie signage on adolescent sugary drink purchases. Findings presented in this infographic come from a related HER-funded journal article.

November 2011

Simplifying Caloric Labeling on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages to Reduce Consumption of Excess Calories

Providing easily understandable caloric information may be a low-cost strategy for lowering overall caloric intake among groups at high risk for obesity, particularly Black and Hispanic adolescents ages 12 to 18. The aims of the study are to: 1) examine if providing caloric information on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) significantly reduces the frequency and volume of More

November 2023

Understanding the Chasm in the Diffusion of Online Food Benefit Ordering: A Service Ecosystem Approach

Although consumers used online grocery shopping more frequently to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus during the pandemic, the participants of some federal nutrition assistance programs lacked the option to redeem their food benefits online. Some retailers were pilot-testing online food benefit ordering for the participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, More