‘Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior’ publishes article from Michele Polascek

Michele Polacsek

SWAGÊÓƵ faculty member Michele Polacsek, Ph.D., M.H.S., professor of Public Health in the Westbrook College of Health Professions, is lead author on a newly published article in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior titled, “A Supermarket Double-Dollar Incentive Program Increases Purchases of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables among Low Income Families with Children: The Healthy Double Study.â€

The study’s aim was to determine whether a supermarket double-dollar fruit and vegetable (F&V) incentive increases F&V purchases among low-income families. The study used a randomized controlled design. Participants included a total of 401 low-income and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supermarket customers. The study found that weekly F&V spending increased in the intervention arm compared with control ($1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], $0.29 to $3.88).

The largest increase was for fresh F&V ($1.97; 95% CI, $0.49 to $3.44). Secondary analyses revealed greater increases in F&V spending among SNAP-eligible participants who redeemed coupons ($5.14; 95% CI, $1.93 to $8.34) than among non–SNAP eligible participants who redeemed coupons ($3.88; 95% CI, $1.67 to $6.08). Customers who were eligible for SNAP saw the greatest F&V spending increases. The authors conclude that financial incentives for F&V are an effective strategy for food assistance programs to increase healthy purchases and improve dietary intake in low-income families.

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