Modelling positive consequences: Increased vegetable intakes following modelled enjoyment versus modelled intake.
K M Appleton1, E Barrie1, T J Samuel1
1Research Centre for Behaviour Change, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, UK.
Appetite
|May 6, 2019
Summary
Modelling enjoyment of carrots, not just intake, increased children's liking and consumption of vegetables. Focusing on positive outcomes is more effective than simply showing the behavior itself for promoting healthy eating.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Nutritional Science
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Social modeling is known to influence children's eating habits.
- The specific impact of modeling the behavior versus its positive consequences on food preferences is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether modeling carrot intake or modeling carrot enjoyment impacts children's subsequent liking and consumption of carrots and sweetcorn.
- To differentiate the effects of modeling the behavior versus modeling the positive outcomes of the behavior.
Main Methods:
- 155 children (7-10 years) were randomized into three story conditions: control, modeling intake, or modeling enjoyment.
- Liking and intake of carrots and sweetcorn were measured pre- and post-story exposure.
- A 5-minute tasting task was used to assess consumption.
Main Results:
- Modeling carrot enjoyment led to higher carrot liking and intake compared to control or modeling intake conditions.
- Pre-existing liking and intake were significant predictors for both carrot and sweetcorn preferences.
- Interestingly, modeling carrot enjoyment was associated with lower sweetcorn intake.
Conclusions:
- Modeling the positive consequences (enjoyment) of eating vegetables is more effective in promoting vegetable liking and intake in children than modeling the behavior itself.
- While effect sizes were small, these findings support using social modeling of positive outcomes to encourage healthy food choices.
- Further research may explore the nuanced effects of different modeling strategies on diverse food preferences.
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