Work

When nudgees become nudgers: Exploring the use of self‐nudging to promote fruit intake

Year: 2023

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: The current study explored (1) the immediate and prolonged effects of self-nudges promoting fruit intake in the home environment, (2) whether the effect of self-nudges on fruit intake persists after self-nudges are no longer used (i.e. a temporal spillover effect) and (3) whether self-nudges can install healthy eating habits that, in turn, explain the temporal spillover effect. Participants (N = 331) were randomly assigned to either a control or self-nudge condition in which they had to choose a self-nudge promoting fruit consumption for 8 weeks. Thereafter, participants were asked to remove the self-nudge for 1 week to assess a possible temporal spillover effect. Results showed a positive effect of the self-nudges on fruit consumption right after implementation that continued during the 8 weeks in which the self-nudge was implemented, which was accompanied by an increase in fruit intake habit strength. However, a mixed picture emerged regarding the temporal spillover effect and no support was found for a mediation effect of habit strength. Although this study is only a first exploration of self-nudging to increase healthy food consumption, results indicate that self-nudging may be a promising extension of traditional nudging that can influence behaviour beyond out-of-home settings.

Source: Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being

DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12464

Authors: Merije van Rookhuijzen, Emely de Vet, Gerrit Gort, Marieke A. Adriaanse

Institutions: Wageningen University & Research, Leiden University, Leiden University Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics

Subfield: General Decision Sciences

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550