ERIC Number: EJ1178068
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1559-5676
EISSN: N/A
Nudges to Increase Fruits and Vegetables Consumption: Results from a Field Experiment
Thapa, Janani R.; Lyford, Conrad P.
Journal of Child Nutrition & Management, v42 n1 Spr 2018
Purpose/Objectives: Research on incentivizing consumption of fruits and vegetables (F/V) has been and continues to be conducted in school lunchrooms. This study examined the use of stickers and toys to nudge F/V selection and consumption among students in grades 1 through 5. The study was conducted in two low-income elementary schools in West Texas. Methods: Kid friendly stickers were applied to the schools' lunchroom F/V serving containers in a food safe manner. Students who selected and consumed their F/V portion were given an inexpensive toy at the end of the lunch period. Consumption and selection of F/V was measured over three periods starting with the observation at baseline period (13 days) followed by the intervention period (15 days) and the post-intervention period (14 days). Results: Results suggest that displaying stickers to change the choice architecture while using incentive to promote consumption in school lunchrooms, sustainably and inexpensively increased the selection and consumption of F/V in these settings at one cent per serving. The number of servings of F/V consumed increased from 1.77 during baseline to 6.08 during intervention (p value <0.0001, 242% higher than at baseline). A smaller but significant improvement was sustained post intervention where servings of F/V consumed was 2.51 (p value <0.0001, 42% higher than at baseline). Conclusions and Application: The findings of this study support a low-cost method to improve F/V consumption that can easily be replicated across the country. Similar low-cost interventions can support current policy emphasis in improving F/V consumption and combating childhood obesity.
Descriptors: Incentives, Elementary School Students, Low Income Students, Food, Lunch Programs, Dining Facilities, Intervention, Eating Habits, Health Promotion, Field Studies
School Nutrition Association. 120 Waterfront Street Suite 300, National Harbor, MD 20745. Tel: 301-686-3100; Fax: 301-686-3115; e-mail: servicecenter@schoolnutrition.org; Web site: http://schoolnutrition.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A