A Color-Coded System for Vending Machines (Rutgers Experts)

Following fast on the heels of the governments new dietary and exercise guidelines and pending reconstruction of the food pyramid, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has launched its own color-coded alert system for offerings from vending machines. A large part of the groups anti-obesity marketing campaign aimed at school children, Balanced for Life, relies on color-coded stickers on vending machines to separate healthful items from those that hungry snackers, should, in the industrys words, choose rarely. The effort also includes computer software developed by a hospital that schools can purchase to rate foods by color code: green (best choice), yellow (choose occasionally) and red (choose rarely). Critics of the food industry say marketing to children is a major cause of obesity. The following experts from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, can comment:

SHAWN ARENT is an assistant professor in the department of exercise science and sports studies, Rutgers-New Brunswick. His research focuses on the physiological and psychological mechanisms underlying biological and behavioral responses to sport and exercise, particularly in adolescents. He can comment on the feds call for Americans to increase their rigorous daily exercise programs from 30 minutes to up to 90 minutes.

Contact Arent at (732) 932-8669 (office) or smarent@rci.rutgers.edu.

PEGGY POLICASTRO is a nutrition specialist with the department of nutritional sciences and also with the Division of Dining Services at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Her research interests include dietary patterns of college students. She can discuss the Department of Health and Human Services latest recommendations for healthy diets and exercise regimens, Rutgers healthy dining options for students and how the university has been ahead of the NAMA curve when it comes to healthy choices from campus vending machines.

Contact Policastro at (732) 932-5447 (office) or peggyp@rci.rutgers.edu.

Contact: Steve Manas

732/932-7084, ext. 612

E-mail: smanas@ur.rutgers.edu