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. 2016 Oct;106(10):1808-14.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303301. Epub 2016 Aug 23.

A Traffic-Light Label Intervention and Dietary Choices in College Cafeterias

Michael W Seward  1 , Jason P Block  1 , Avik Chatterjee  1
Affiliations

A Traffic-Light Label Intervention and Dietary Choices in College Cafeterias

Michael W Seward et al. Am J Public Health. 2016 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine whether traffic-light labeling and choice architecture interventions improved dietary choices among students at a northeastern US university.

Methods: In 6 cafeterias at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, we implemented a 7-week intervention including traffic-light labeling (red: least nutrient rich; yellow: nutrient neutral; green: most nutrient rich), choice architecture (how choices are presented to consumers), and "healthy-plate" tray stickers. During the 2014-2015 academic year, 2 cafeterias received all interventions, 2 received choice architecture only, and 2 were controls. We analyzed sales for 6 weeks before and 7 weeks during interventions. Using interrupted time-series analyses, we measured changes in red, yellow, and green items served. We collected 1329 surveys to capture perceptions of labeling.

Results: Among 2.6 million portions served throughout the study, we found no significant changes in red (-0.8% change/week; P = .2) or green (+1.1% change/week; P = .4) items served at intervention sites compared with controls. In surveys, 58% of students reported using traffic-light labels at least a few times per week, and 73% wanted them to continue.

Conclusions: Although many students reported using traffic-light labels regularly and wanted interventions to continue, cafeteria interventions did not demonstrate clear improvements in dietary quality.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Proportions of All Red-, Yellow-, and Green-Labeled Food and Beverages Served per Week at (a) Full-Intervention, (b) Minimal-Intervention, and (c) Control Cafeterias: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2014
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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