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Table 3 Characteristics of studies on food and beverage subsidies in high-income countries

From: Studying the consumption and health outcomes of fiscal interventions (taxes and subsidies) on food and beverages in countries of different income classifications; a systematic review

Study, year & location

Study type, study period & intervention period

Nature of tax or subsidy

Outcome measure

Study population

Sample size

Outcome data source

Major findings

Other impacts

Peer reviewed

Study quality

Currie [31] 2008 California, USA

Interrupted time series

Standard FSP –monthly food vouchers for any foods up to $142 per households per month dependent on income

Median birth weight, % of low birth weight, fetal survival

Pregnant women

n = 4,864,673

Data on FSP participation from annual state,

FSP had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) but very small effect on the probability of fetal survival in Los Angeles amongst whites only (0.01 % greater for infants between 1500 and 2000 grams), though no effect was seen in the state as a whole.

None recorded

No

Strong

 

1961–1974 Duration of prenatal Food Stamp Programme (FSP) participation.

Forecasts of participation by county.

Introduction of FSP did not have any effect on low birth weight.

 

Individual birth records

Herman [40] 2008 Los Angeles, California USA

Controlled before and after study

Standard Special Supplemental Nutrition Programme Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programme plus $10 voucher weekly for Fruit and Vegetables (F&V) at two sites: 1) local supermarket, 2) farmer’s market.

F&V intake

Low-income postpartum women

intervention 1, n = 168, intervention 2, n = 140; control n = 143

WIC

Participants in the intervention sites increased consumption of F&V. The increase was sustained 6 months after the intervention was terminated (p < 0.001).

None recorded

Yes

Weak

 

2001

Farmers market participants increased consumption of F&V by 1.4 servings per 100 kcal of consumed food (p < 0.001) from baseline to the end of intervention compared to the control group, and supermarket participants increased by 0.8 servings per 100 kcal (p = 0.02)

 

6 months

Baum [41] 2012 USA

Longitudinal study

FSP on expectant mothers

Weight gained by expectant mothers during pregnancy

Low income expectant mothers

n = 709

National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979

Food Stamp Receipt (FSR) decreases the probability of gaining insufficient weight during pregnancy with FSR increasing pregnancy weight gain by 1.78 lb (p < 0.05). However, it does not result in pregnant mothers gaining too much weight

None recorded

Yes

Weak

 

1979–2002

 

23 years

Black [45] 2013 New South Wales, Australia

Before and after uncontrolled study

Weekly box of subsidized fruit and vegetables up to $60 linked to preventive health services (annual health assessment including dental and hearing check-ups, blood testing) and nutritional promotion

Change in the episode of illness, health service and emergency department attendances, antibiotic prescription, BMI

Low-income Aboriginal families with one or more children <17 years of age who were regular patients at the respective health services

n = 167

Retrospective health records audit and health assessment from Aboriginal health services, local hospitals and any other nominated general practices

A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in oral antibiotics prescribed (−0.5 prescriptions/year; 95%CI, −0.8 to −0.2) during 12 months of participation in the programme compared with the 12 months before the programme.

None recorded

Yes

Weak

 

2008–2010

No significant reduction of BMI.

 

2 years

Significant increase (p < 0.05) in mean Haemoglobin level (3.1 g/L; 95 % CI, 1.4–4.8 g/L).