Cash Rebate Research Articles

Changing Food Selections in a Public Cafeteria

The current study evaluated the influence of three behavioral procedures on the eating behavior of lunch-time patrons in a university cafeteria. A total of 5542 observations were made over a 16-month period. Food selections were unobtrusively recorded as the subjects passed through the checkout lines. A determination of sex/weight class was also made (male/female lean, normal, or obese). Using a series of reversal (ABA) designs, the subjects were exposed to the following procedures: Caloric feedback prior to food selection; labeled items to indicate nutritionally favorable choices; and a token system in which a cash rebate was made contingent on appropriate food selection behavior. The results showed that the token system produced the most uniform increases in vegetables, soup, fruit, chicken, fish, turkey, and salad consumption, while consumption of high-fat and dessert items was reduced. Caloric feedback was associated with decreased carbohydrate, red meat, and dairy product consumption, with little increase in other areas. Labeling had isolated effects on obese subjects' vegetable, soup, and fruit consumption. Female obese were found to be the most sensitive to all the procedures, and male obese the most resistant. Implications for the treatment of obesity and self-regulation of eating behavior are discussed.

Fuel Efficiency Incentives for Cars: Oil Import Vulnerability Reduction

The author examines incentives for increasing national security through the production of more efficient automobiles. He hinges his discussion on the observation that the life-cycle cost of operating an automobile is remarkably insensitive to changes in fuel efficiency. He notes that automobile purchasers appear to act roughly as if they choose the lowest mileage car that comes within about five percent of minimal life-cycle cost. This suggests that a self-amortizing purchase incentive (such as a cash rebate) could encourage people to buy more efficient cars. States can use a state gasoline tax to provide further incentives for fuel efficiency. A fuel tax could provide a subsidy for new cars arranged on a sliding scale according to each car's efficiency rating. 30 references, 2 figures.