Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adults
University food environments influence dietary behaviours of attending young adults (aged 18–35 years). The present study aimed to determine if price-reduced meals are associated with high purchase volumes at food outlets (n 5) in a large urban university. The university food outlet customers: unive...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nutritional Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679021000872/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811155942082871296 |
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| author | Rajshri Roy Kate Harrington |
| author_facet | Rajshri Roy Kate Harrington |
| author_sort | Rajshri Roy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | University food environments influence dietary behaviours of attending young adults (aged 18–35 years). The present study aimed to determine if price-reduced meals are associated with high purchase volumes at food outlets (n 5) in a large urban university. The university food outlet customers: university staff and students (n 244) were surveyed about their food choice determinants and their awareness of a price-reduced meal initiative called ‘Budgie Meals’. Itemised sales of ‘Budgie Meals’ and other meals across 3 years were collected. The ‘Budgie Meals’ were nutritionally analyzed. The χ2 and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyze quantitative survey responses. An open-ended item was thematically analyzed. Itemised sales of ‘Budgie Meals’ were measured across 3 years and were analyzed using the analysis of variance. The ‘Budgie Meals’ were nutritionally analyzed and categorised as ‘green,’ ‘amber’ or ‘red’ using the National Healthy Food and Drink Policy. Price was considered the most significant barrier to healthy food purchases. The awareness of the ‘Budgie Meal’ initiative was poor. The ‘Budgie Meal’ had higher sales volumes at each outlet than other items, but the sales showed a downward trend across the years. Nutritional analyses revealed that ‘Budgie Meals’ could be improved. The researchers suggested nutritional improvements to food retailers. Further research is required to assess the viability of implementing such nutritional improvements across food outlets. Specifically, collaboration with retailers and customers is needed to establish the economic feasibility, any potential revenue losses and testing taste acceptability of recipe alterations to these price-reduced meals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:43:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c2f5e403ab294277b78a42505d29e507 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2048-6790 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:43:20Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Nutritional Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-c2f5e403ab294277b78a42505d29e5072023-03-09T12:38:45ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Nutritional Science2048-67902021-01-011010.1017/jns.2021.87Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adultsRajshri Roy0Kate Harrington1Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of Auckland, School of Medical Sciences, Auckland, New ZealandDiscipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of Auckland, School of Medical Sciences, Auckland, New ZealandUniversity food environments influence dietary behaviours of attending young adults (aged 18–35 years). The present study aimed to determine if price-reduced meals are associated with high purchase volumes at food outlets (n 5) in a large urban university. The university food outlet customers: university staff and students (n 244) were surveyed about their food choice determinants and their awareness of a price-reduced meal initiative called ‘Budgie Meals’. Itemised sales of ‘Budgie Meals’ and other meals across 3 years were collected. The ‘Budgie Meals’ were nutritionally analyzed. The χ2 and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyze quantitative survey responses. An open-ended item was thematically analyzed. Itemised sales of ‘Budgie Meals’ were measured across 3 years and were analyzed using the analysis of variance. The ‘Budgie Meals’ were nutritionally analyzed and categorised as ‘green,’ ‘amber’ or ‘red’ using the National Healthy Food and Drink Policy. Price was considered the most significant barrier to healthy food purchases. The awareness of the ‘Budgie Meal’ initiative was poor. The ‘Budgie Meal’ had higher sales volumes at each outlet than other items, but the sales showed a downward trend across the years. Nutritional analyses revealed that ‘Budgie Meals’ could be improved. The researchers suggested nutritional improvements to food retailers. Further research is required to assess the viability of implementing such nutritional improvements across food outlets. Specifically, collaboration with retailers and customers is needed to establish the economic feasibility, any potential revenue losses and testing taste acceptability of recipe alterations to these price-reduced meals.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679021000872/type/journal_articleFood choiceHealthy eatingNutrition interventionPriceYoung adults |
| spellingShingle | Rajshri Roy Kate Harrington Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adults Journal of Nutritional Science Food choice Healthy eating Nutrition intervention Price Young adults |
| title | Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adults |
| title_full | Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adults |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adults |
| title_short | Effectiveness of price-reduced meals on purchases among university young adults |
| title_sort | effectiveness of price reduced meals on purchases among university young adults |
| topic | Food choice Healthy eating Nutrition intervention Price Young adults |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679021000872/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rajshriroy effectivenessofpricereducedmealsonpurchasesamonguniversityyoungadults AT kateharrington effectivenessofpricereducedmealsonpurchasesamonguniversityyoungadults |