Search

Objective The primary objectives of the study were to examine: 1) how increased availability of healthier items at a zoo concession stand affects sales and 2) how animal character marketing on zoo menu boards affects sales revenue. Methods An intervention was conducted over an 8-week period. On alternating weeks, zoo animal characters were systematically paired with and removed from healthy food items on a zoo concession menu board. Sales and revenue data were analyzed using frequencies, a Poisson regression model, and a negative binomial regression model, respectively. Results Newly introduced healthy items represented 8.2% of sales and 4.9% of revenue. Healthy item unit sales were significantly higher (P = .006) during the weeks animal cartoon characters were displayed, although there was no impact on revenue. Conclusions and Implications Findings suggest nonbranded character marketing is a viable strategy for promoting healthy products in family-friendly venues where concessions are sold.

Objective: Design and evaluate a pilot intervention to address barriers to healthy food access and activity in urban Philadelphia neighborhoods. Description: Informed by a mixed-methods assessment of residents' shopping and physical activity patterns and barriers and facilitators to healthy food access and activity, and observational assessments of local food environments, we engaged community members in designing a program emphasizing ‘‘block-based’’ environmental changes to prevent or reduce obesity. Evaluation: The Our Healthy Block program was carefully monitored and pre-post surveys were used for outcome evaluation. Conclusions and Implications: Strategies and findings will be presented. Funding: USDA Grant #2010-85215-20659