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Experimental research on the relation between food price changes and food-purchasing patterns: a targeted review.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Epstein, LH; Jankowiak, N; Nederkoorn, C; Raynor, HA; French, SA; Finkelstein, E
Published in: Am J Clin Nutr
April 2012

One way in which to modify food purchases is to change prices through tax policy, subsidy policy, or both. We reviewed the growing body of experimental research conducted in the laboratory and in the field that investigates the following: the extent to which price changes influence purchases of targeted and nontargeted foods, total energy, or macronutrients purchased; the interaction of price changes with adjunctive interventions; and moderators of sensitivity to price changes. After a brief overview of economic principles and observational research that addresses these issues, we present a targeted review of experimental research. Experimental research suggests that price changes modify purchases of targeted foods, but research on the overall nutritional quality of purchases is mixed because of substitution effects. There is mixed support for combining price changes with adjunctive interventions, and there are no replicated findings on moderators to price sensitivity in experiments. Additional focused research is needed to better inform food policy development with the aim of improving eating behavior and preventing obesity.

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Published In

Am J Clin Nutr

DOI

EISSN

1938-3207

Publication Date

April 2012

Volume

95

Issue

4

Start / End Page

789 / 809

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Research Design
  • Obesity
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Maternal Behavior
  • Male
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion
 

Citation

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Epstein, L. H., Jankowiak, N., Nederkoorn, C., Raynor, H. A., French, S. A., & Finkelstein, E. (2012). Experimental research on the relation between food price changes and food-purchasing patterns: a targeted review. Am J Clin Nutr, 95(4), 789–809. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.024380
Epstein, Leonard H., Noelle Jankowiak, Chantal Nederkoorn, Hollie A. Raynor, Simone A. French, and Eric Finkelstein. “Experimental research on the relation between food price changes and food-purchasing patterns: a targeted review.Am J Clin Nutr 95, no. 4 (April 2012): 789–809. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.024380.
Epstein LH, Jankowiak N, Nederkoorn C, Raynor HA, French SA, Finkelstein E. Experimental research on the relation between food price changes and food-purchasing patterns: a targeted review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Apr;95(4):789–809.
Epstein, Leonard H., et al. “Experimental research on the relation between food price changes and food-purchasing patterns: a targeted review.Am J Clin Nutr, vol. 95, no. 4, Apr. 2012, pp. 789–809. Pubmed, doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.024380.
Epstein LH, Jankowiak N, Nederkoorn C, Raynor HA, French SA, Finkelstein E. Experimental research on the relation between food price changes and food-purchasing patterns: a targeted review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Apr;95(4):789–809.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Clin Nutr

DOI

EISSN

1938-3207

Publication Date

April 2012

Volume

95

Issue

4

Start / End Page

789 / 809

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Research Design
  • Obesity
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Maternal Behavior
  • Male
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Health Promotion