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Small thinking times lead to healthier snacks
Many people are familiar with such problems for sure: They are close to a snack machine and suddenly you get cravings for chocolate. Researchers now found that making people wait around 25 seconds before buying unhealthy snacks makes a big difference. This time is already enough to influence the buying decision and can lead to the purchase of a healthier snack.
Researchers at the Rush University Medical Center found in an investigation that delayed access to tantalizing, high-calorie foods and snacks has led buyers to choose healthier alternatives more often. The doctors published a press release on the results of the study.
At every corner there are so-called snack machines. These machines usually contain a variety of unhealthy foods. Researchers are now testing whether short wait times for buying unhealthy snacks will make shoppers prefer healthier alternatives. Researchers are investigating buying habits at vending machines
Waiting for anything makes it less desirable. Brad Appelhans clinical psychologist at the Rush University Prevention Center. People strongly prefer immediate gratification. This preference influences the decisions and behavior in daily life. "We wanted to see if we could use that preference for instant gratification to improve the buying habits of people at vending machines." Appelhans added.
Automat responds to unhealthy snacks with a 25 second time delay
Vending machines are the most common source of high calorie snacks in the US. There are about 1.3 million snack machines there. For their study, the researchers developed a new vending machine system and created a technology called DISC system (delays to improve the selection of snacks). The so-called DISC machine system uses a delay function. When an individual selects a less nutritious snack, the system begins with a 25-second time delay before the snack is released by the machine, the authors explain.
Buyers can change their choice during the waiting period
Vending machines with the DISC system also have an LED screen which displays the times of delay for less healthy snack items and the delivery countdown. During this period, the buyer will be allowed to change his snack selection to a healthier option, the researchers say.
Waiting periods do not have a negative impact on total sales
This built-in delay resulted in a rise of two percent to five percent in the purchases of healthy snacks. We also noticed that this delay does not hurt either total sales or sales revenue. This point is of course particularly important for the machine operators, explains author Dr. Hans Appel.
Previous intervention strategies were undesirable
Earlier vending machine interventions focused on the total elimination of unhealthy snacks or the machines altogether, the researchers say. However, these strategies have proved undesirable because they limit the options available and reduce the machine profits, the researchers explain.
What types of intervention were reviewed?
The study of the DISC Automata System examined the following six vending machine interventions at three sites between June 2015 and August 2016.
- No intervention
- 25 second time delay for less healthy snacks
- 25 cent discount on healthy snacks
- 25 cent tax on less healthy snacks
- 25-second delay for less healthy snacks and 25-cent discount for healthier snacks
- 25 second time delay and 25 cent tax on less healthy snacks
Which interventions increased the sales of healthy snacks?
The healthy snack shopping increased during the time delay, the researchers say. The same effect was observed when the vending machines charged 25 cent rebates for healthier options or a 25 cent extra tax on unhealthy snacks.
Relatively short time delays lead to more sales of healthy snacks
Our findings with the DISC vending machine system suggest that relatively short time delays can make people choose healthier snacks, the researchers explain. The observed beneficial effect on the snack selection is about as large as that of discounts. In contrast to discounts, a time delay does not lead to a reduced turnover, explains the author. Appelhans. This could be a really interesting option for vending machine owners to offer healthy snack items without harming the profit.
What criteria had to be met by healthy snacks??
The study examined a total of 32,662 sales of snacks at vending machines. The researchers had specific criteria for healthy snacks. Healthy snacks had to meet five of seven criteria:
- Less than 250 calories per serving
- 35 percent or less calories from fat
- Less than 350 milligrams of sodium per serving
- No trans fat included
- Less than 5 percent of the daily value of saturated fat per serving
- More than 1 gram of fiber per serving
- Less than 10 grams of sugar per serving
Great need for dietary intervention strategies available
There is a great need for new dietary intervention strategies to combat obesity-promoting factors in the environment Appelhans. Obesity and poor diet are strong risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes, the expert adds.
Vending machines are the main source of high calorie foods in the US
Vending machines have a broad reach and are the most common source of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods in the US, Dr. Appelhans. The new vending machine system could be an effective and financially viable strategy that could shift individuals' choices to healthier options, the researchers concluded. (As)