142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Evaluation of Behavioral Economics Strategies to Assess the Impact on School Food Choices in Los Angeles Unified School District, California for School-Year 2013-14

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Sunday, November 16, 2014

Patricia L. Cummings, MPH , Division of Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Ranjana N. Wickramasekaran, MPH , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Lindsey Burbage, MPH , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Mirna Ponce, MPH, MA , Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA
Michelle Wood, MPP , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Tony Kuo, MD, MSHS , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Paul Simon, MD, MPH , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, CA
Introduction: The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement (SLM) developed by Cornell University utilizes 6 evidence-based behavioral economics principles (e.g., suggestive selling, product placement) to increase selection of healthier food options (e.g., fruit, vegetables) among school-aged children and adolescents. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and California Food Policy Advocates partnered with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to pilot the principles in a select number of schools to examine their feasibility and effectiveness in this school district for the school-year (SY) 2013-14.    

Approach: A multiple time-series design was used to evaluate the behavioral economic strategies applying SLM in 30 schools. School selection criteria included Free and Reduced Price (FPR) eligibility of 60% or higher, geographical diversity, readiness identified prior to the SY, and district approval. Baseline assessments were conducted at each school using the SLM protocol and Self-Assessment Scorecard. Informed by these baseline assessment results, SLM strategies were tailored to each school environment. Food production records were collected for the entire school year to assess changes in fruit and vegetable up-take, selection of healthier menu options, and participation rates.

Results: Results are currently being analyzed. The analysis will describe the food selection patterns of students pre and post-changes, including the number/percent of items that were offered and taken, along with any changes in participation rates.   

Discussion: Behavioral economics strategies in the school food environment may increase selection of healthier food items. Based on preliminary results, the SLM model should lead to improved nutrition habits among students.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe at least 3 evidence-based behavioral economics principles used to increase selection of healthier food options in Los Angeles Unified School District. Identify the study design used to evaluate behavioral economics strategies in the school food environment in Los Angeles Unified School District.

Keyword(s): Nutrition, School-Based Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Patricia L. Cummings, MPH is an Epidemiologist at the LA County Department of Public Health and the Program Manager of the Sodium Reduction in Communities Program in Los Angeles County (CDC grant). She has been the principal or co-principal investigator of multiple research studies focusing on food quality and food safety, including school-based nutrition and foodborne diseases. Among her interests has been development of nutrition strategies, such as reducing sodium intake through food procurement strategies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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