Alyssa J. Moran

Believing that certain foods are addictive is associated with support for obesity-related public policies

INTRODUCTION There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that certain foods may be addictive. Although evidence that nicotine is addictive generated support for anti-tobacco policies, little research has examined whether beliefs about the addictiveness of food are associated with support for policies to address overconsumption of nutritionally poor foods. METHODS U.S. adults (n=999) recruited from an online marketplace in February 2015 completed a survey. Using logistic regression, we examined the relationship between beliefs about the addictiveness of certain foods and support for twelve obesity-related policies while controlling for demographics, health status, political affiliation and ideology, beliefs about obesity, and attitudes towards food companies. We examined whether the association between beliefs about addictiveness and support for policies was consistent across other products and behaviors viewed as addictive (i.e., tobacco, alcohol, drugs, compulsive behaviors). RESULTS In multivariable models, there was a significant association (OR; 95% CI) between beliefs about addictiveness and support for policies for compulsive behaviors (1.48; 1.26-1.74), certain foods (1.32; 1.14-1.53), drugs (1.23; 1.05-1.45), and alcohol (1.21; 1.08-1.36) but not for tobacco (1.11; 0.90-1.37). For foods, the association between beliefs about addictiveness and obesity-related policy support was the strongest between such beliefs and support for labels warning that certain foods may be addictive, industry reductions in salt and sugar, energy drink bans, and sugary drink portion size limits. CONCLUSIONS Overall, believing that products/behaviors are addictive was associated with support for policies intended to curb their use. If certain foods are found to be addictive, framing them as such may increase obesity-related policy support.

Trends in Nutrient Content of Children's Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants

INTRODUCTION Restaurant food is widely consumed by children and is associated with poor diet quality. Although many restaurants have made voluntary commitments to improve the nutritional quality of childrens menus, it is unclear whether this has led to meaningful changes. METHODS Nutrients in childrens menu items (n=4,016) from 45 chain restaurants were extracted from the nutrition information database MenuStat. Bootstrapped mixed linear models estimated changes in mean calories, saturated fat, and sodium in childrens menu items between 2012 and 2013, 2014, and 2015. Changes in nutrient content of these items over time were compared among restaurants participating in the Kids LiveWell initiative and non-participating restaurants. Types of available childrens beverages were also examined. Data were analyzed in 2016. RESULTS There was a significant increase in mean beverage calories from 2012 to 2013 (6, 95% CI=0.8, 10.6) and from 2012 to 2014 (11, 95% CI=3.7, 18.3), but no change between 2012 and 2015, and no differences in nutrient content of other items over time. Restaurants participating in Kids LiveWell reduced entrée calories between 2012 and 2013 (-24, 95% CI= -40.4, -7.2) and between 2012 and 2014 (-40, 95% CI= -68.1, -11.4) and increased side dish calories between 2012 and 2015 (49, 95% CI=4.6, 92.7) versus non-participating restaurants. Sugar-sweetened beverages consistently constituted 80% of childrens beverages, with soda declining and flavored milks increasing between 2012 and 2015. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest little progress toward improving nutrition in childrens menu items. Efforts are needed to engage restaurants in offering healthful childrens meals.

Transactions at a Northeastern Supermarket Chain: Differences by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Use

INTRODUCTION Although one in seven Americans receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, little is known about how these benefits for food are spent because individual-level sales data are not publicly available. The purpose of this study is to compare transactions made with and without SNAP benefits at a large regional supermarket chain. METHODS Sales data were obtained from a large supermarket chain in the Northeastern U.S. for a period of 2 years (April 2012-April 2014). Multivariate multiple regression models were used to quantify relative differences in dollars spent on 31 predefined SNAP-eligible food categories. Analyses were completed in 2016. RESULTS Transactions with SNAP benefit use included higher spending on less healthful food categories, including sugar-sweetened beverages (

Increases in Sugary Drink Marketing During Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefit Issuance in New York

1.08), red meat (

A Supermarket Double-Dollar Incentive Program Increases Purchases of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Among Low-Income Families With Children: The Healthy Double Study

1.55), and convenience foods (

100% Juice, Fruit, and Vegetable Intake Among Children in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and Nonparticipants

1.34), and lower spending on more healthful food categories, such as fruits (-

Trends in Sodium Content of Menu Items in Large Chain Restaurants in the U.S.

1.51), vegetables (-

Higher-Calorie Menu Items Eliminated in Large Chain Restaurants

1.35), and poultry (-

Consumer underestimation of sodium in fast food restaurant meals: Results from a cross-sectional observational study

1.25) compared to transactions without SNAP benefit use. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide objective data to compare purchases made with and without SNAP benefits. Next steps should be to test proposed SNAP modifications to determine whether they would have the intended effect of promoting healthier purchasing patterns among SNAP beneficiaries.

NIFA Poster AbstractSupermarket Science: Multipronged Approaches to Increasing Fresh, Frozen, and Canned Fruit & Vegetable Purchases

INTRODUCTION The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal food assistance program, providing