Nudging Consumers toward Better Food Choices: Policy Approaches to Changing Food Consumption Behaviors

Abstract

The high prevalence of obesity and its associated illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, has sparked interest in finding ways to encourage consumers to make healthier food choices. At the public level, providing information about why and how to choose a healthy diet has been the typical approach to encouraging behavioral change. Information can also influence food producers and marketers to develop and promote more healthful products, creating an environment in which it is easier for consumers to make healthier dietary choices. Nevertheless, information may not always be effective in improving food choices. One explanation is that nutrition information is complex and difficult to convey in a clear, actionable manner. Also, knowledge, while necessary, may not be sufficient to motivate behavior change. Even when consumers understand nutrition information, competing preferences for tastier, less expensive, or more convenient foods may lead them to make other choices. Findings from psychology, marketing, and behavioral economics research suggest approaches that may enhance the effectiveness of informational approaches and complement informational efforts. More research is needed to further develop these strategies and evaluate their effectiveness.

‘Nudging’ as an architect of more responsible consumer choice in food service provision: The role of restaurant menu design

“…While displaying health-related characteristics of food on the menu was valued by diners, the majority (77.9%) opted to see this information presented in a more simplified and visually appealing manner, preferably in the form of images or labels, such as the nutritional 'traffic lights' (Figure 1). This compliments literature (see, for example, Guthrie et al 2015;Grunert 2002) which states that numbers on a restaurant menu should be used sparingly and appear concise. The red-amber-green colour 'traffic lights' codes were particularly appreciated by many (81.3%) due to the ease of their understanding.…”

“…Second and most important, however, was to ensure that as little choice distortion as possible had been imposed on consumers. Certain categories of restaurant customers find exposure to detailed foodrelated information when dining out overwhelming and may therefore prefer when data facts are displayed in a short and concise format (Guthrie et al 2015). To partially address this issue, labels can be employed as effective communication and 'nudging' tools because they enable consumers to make quick, yet informed, food choices based on certain key parameters (Grunert 2002).…”

“…National policy-making institutions, representatives of the food service provision industry, civil sector and academia all have a stake to play in its successful management (Guthrie et al 2015;Mont et al 2014).…”

How the UAE can reduce the prevalence of obesity among the youth?- a health policy perspective

“…Every effort to address obesity here or aboard requires continual efforts to nudge the citizenry to change consumption behaviors using the knowledge that will not only inform but educate [24]. Nutrient dense meals will improve nutritional health and combat obesity [25]. The focus of nutritional health should continue to centre on population health.…”

To Choose (Not) to Eat Healthy: Social Norms, Self‐affirmation, and Food Choice

“…Researchers across various disciplines have explored ways to tackle the obesity problem and how to get individuals to make healthier food choices. A recent special issue of Psychology & Marketing was devoted to “Changing Food Consumption Behaviors” wherein researchers examined various factors such as individual biases, the role of the environment, food gatekeepers, and societal trends with relation to food consumption and decision making (Bui & Krishen, ; Guthrie, Mancino, & Lin, ; Lowe, Fraser, & Souza‐Monteiro, ; Tal & Wansink, ). However, as Lowe, Fraser, and Souza‐Monteiro () stated, “Inevitably this special issue will raise more questions than provide answers to these pressing issues.” An understudied but important question is how to get African Americans to make healthier food choices.…”