Nudging low-medium income mothers towards healthy child options in an online restaurant scenario.

Helping mothers make the healthiest choices for their children when eating out can contribute to preventing the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, particularly in economically disadvantaged classes. Herein, we tested whether two different nudges (a default option and a social norm prompt) could guide low- and middle-income mothers towards healthier children's menu choices in a fictive restaurant setting and investigated the drivers of healthy child menu selection. A cross-sectional online survey was performed among 809 Italian mothers with children aged between 3 and 12 years, and a between-subjects design (control, nudge 1, and nudge 2) was applied. The findings revealed that both nudges had no significant effect on the number of healthy menu selections compared with the healthy choices made in the control condition. Furthermore, considering the entire sample, the results show that certain characteristics of a mother (e.g., authoritative parenting style) and child (younger age) duo increase the likelihood of the former selecting a healthy children's menu. Similarly, a positive correlation between the likelihood of choosing a healthy children's menu and the mother's involvement in the child's nutrition (meal preparation and weekly diet) was observed.

Senior citizens' vitamin D supplements intake: evidence from Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Several public interventions have been designed in recent years to urge the intake of vitamin D supplements among the senior population to avoid the direct and indirect consequences associated with vitamin D deficiency. However, the effectiveness of these public campaigns remains quite limited. In an online survey, the current study investigates attitudes towards vitamin D supplements intake and associated behaviours in a representative sample of Danish senior citizens (N = 554) - that is, individuals aged 55 years and above. RESULTS: Approximately half of the sample reported taking vitamin D supplements in the preceding year. Furthermore, being male and having a positive perception of individuals' own health status increased the probability of being a non-user. Increasing confidence in the information provided by health authorities (such as medical doctors and pharmacies) is particularly critical for enhancing the likelihood of non-users to purchase vitamin D supplements. However, also encouraging the uptake of vitamin D supplements in specialized supermarkets with stands and promotions seems an appealing and practical solution to increase seniors' uptake of vitamin D supplements. CONCLUSIONS: The present study outlines the characteristics of senior Danish non-users of vitamin D supplements. Additionally, the research provides information on the strategies that could be applied by public organizations to foster vitamin D supplements intake among this target segment of the population. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Loss framing effect on reducing excessive red and processed meat consumption: Evidence from Italy.

A reduction of meat consumption is crucial for addressing public health problems, especially in industrialized countries. Among low-cost interventions, emotionally provocative health-information strategies could be effective options in fostering meat reduction. Through an online experimental survey, administrated to a quota-based national sample (N = 1142), this study analysed the profile of Italians consuming red/processed meat above World Health Organization (WHO) recommended amounts. Via a between-subjects design, the research tested whether two health frame-nudges (societal impact and individual impact of over consumption) persuaded these individuals to reduce future meat consumption. Results showed that adhering to an omnivore diet, higher consumption of meat than peers, household size (larger) and positive moral perception of meat consumption increased the likelihood of overconsumption. In addition, both nudges proved to be effective in positively impacting future intentions to reduce meat consumption among individuals exceeding WHO recommended amounts. The two frame-nudges were more effective among females, respondents with children in the household and individuals with a low health status perception.

This cookie will save the planet! The effect of a private sustainability claim on consumers' expectations.

Current study investigates whether a private, sustainability claim has an impact on individuals' sensory and non-sensory expectations (halo effect) and quantifies such impact on individual monetary preferences. An incentive-compatible artefactual field experiment was performed by recruiting regular buyers and consumers of the investigated product (cookies). Results reveal that the sustainable agriculture claim generates high (unrelated) expectations and a statistically significant premium price compared to the conventional counterpart. Additionally, these expectations, together with respondents' trust in the claim, are the drivers of the price premium. Findings suggest the need for policy makers and consumer advocates to scrutinize the potential drawbacks of private sustainability claims on food products.

Factors influencing independent older adults (un)healthy food choices: A systematic review and research agenda.

Population aging, the epidemiological transition, and associated lifestyle changes are among the major drivers of the increased incidence and prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Preparing for change is essential to ensure progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The first step for health care providers is to build specific programs or interventions that guide healthy long-term food choices during old age. Thus, identifying and understanding the specific factors that influence the food choices of elderly adults and how these factors limit or encourage food consumption is imperative. The current review aimed to identify how personal, social, cultural, psychological, situational and intrinsic/extrinsic aspects of food guide or hinder the dietary choices of independent elderly individuals (aged 65 years and older) towards both healthy and unhealthy food choices. The search strategy followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Thirty-seven papers satisfied the screening. Results are schematized through the Mojet model by framing all potential drivers that guide the independent elderly respectively to make healthy and less healthy choices in their diet. Findings revealed that food choices of independent older adults are shaped by a multitude of factors and sub-factors that may serve to promote or limit the desire and ability to consume a healthy food. Situational, socio-demographic, and psychological factors were the most investigated in the analysed literature, albeit with different aspects and dimensions. Future studies should extend the analysis including multiple factors and evaluate possible interactions between different dimensions. A research agenda provided insights for scholars and policymakers interested in further investigating the factors that influence food choices of this target group.