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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

View the label before you view the movie: A field experiment into the impact of Portion size and Guideline Daily Amounts labelling on soft drinks in cinemas

Authors: Willemijn M Vermeer, Ingrid HM Steenhuis, Franca H Leeuwis, Arjan ER Bos, Michiel de Boer, Jacob C Seidell

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Large soft drink sizes increase consumption, and thereby contribute to obesity. Portion size labelling may help consumers to select more appropriate food portions. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of portion size and caloric Guidelines for Daily Amounts (GDA) labelling on consumers' portion size choices and consumption of regular soft drinks.

Methods

A field experiment that took place on two subsequent evenings in a Dutch cinema. Participants (n = 101) were asked to select one of five different portion sizes of a soft drink. Consumers were provided with either portion size and caloric GDA labelling (experimental condition) or with millilitre information (control condition).

Results

Labelling neither stimulated participants to choose small portion sizes (OR = .75, p = .61, CI: .25 - 2.25), nor did labelling dissuade participants to choose large portion sizes (OR = .51, p = .36, CI: .12 - 2.15).

Conclusions

Portion size and caloric GDA labelling were found to have no effect on soft drink intake. Further research among a larger group of participants combined with pricing strategies is required. The results of this study are relevant for the current public health debate on food labelling.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
View the label before you view the movie: A field experiment into the impact of Portion size and Guideline Daily Amounts labelling on soft drinks in cinemas
Authors
Willemijn M Vermeer
Ingrid HM Steenhuis
Franca H Leeuwis
Arjan ER Bos
Michiel de Boer
Jacob C Seidell
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-438

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