Deakin Uni to study supermarket influence over improving diets
Dr Adrian Cameron (left) and Mr Owen Marston, manager of Grovedale East SUPA IGA
Deakin University has announced a new study which will explore whether traditional supermarket marketing techniques can be used to help Australians eat better.
Working in conjunction with IGA, participating IGA supermarkets will display health promotional material, signage on trolleys and baskets, floor decals, flyers, posters, banners and staff with be trained in health promotion.
Researcher, Dr Adrian Cameron, said he believes marketing techniques used in supermarkets have the potential to improve the healthiness of consumers.
“Given that most Australian food purchases are made in supermarkets, this work has exceptional potential to improve the healthiness of food purchases and lower the risk of disease at the population level,” Dr Cameron said.
The study has been funded with a AUD $550, 000 National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership grant. IGA stores located in Bendigo and Geelong will participate in the study.
“This is the first time a comprehensive controlled trial will be carried out in Australian supermarkets, testing new anti-obesity measures like the Government’s Health Star Rating System,” Dr Cameron said.
“We tested some of the interventions separately last year in Bendigo, without any promotion, and found they were effective in guiding customers towards healthy choices,” he said.
Related articles
- Sugar taxdoesn’t help fight obesity: Katherine Rich
- Childhood obesity rates set to soar unless governments intervene immediately: WHO and Australia’s National Heart Foundation
