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Abstract
Many people do not consume as much healthy food as recommended. Nudging has been identified as a promising intervention strategy to increase the consumption of healthy food. The present study analyzed the effects of three body shape nudges (thin, thick, or Giacometti artwork) on food ordering and assessed the mediating role of being aware of the nudge. Students (686) and employees (218) of a German university participated in an online experimental study. After randomization, participants visited a realistic online cafeteria and composed a meal for themselves. Under experimental conditions, participants were exposed to one out of three nudges while choosing dishes: (1) thin body shape, (2) thick body shape, and (3) the Giacometti artwork nudge. The Giacometti nudge resulted in more orders for salad among employees. The thin and thick body shape nudges did not change dish orders. Awareness of the nudge mediated the numbers of calories ordered when using the Giacometti or thin body shape nudges. These findings provide useful insights for health interventions in occupational and public health sectors using nudges. Our study contributes to the research on the Giacometti nudge by showing its effectiveness when participants are aware (it is effective under conditions where it is consciously perceived).
Highlights
Several national surveys have shown that Germans do not consume enough fruit and vegetables, falling short of the amounts suggested by guidelines for healthy eating [1,2,3].In 2018, German insurance companies spent EUR 158 million on health promotion and prevention measures, the majority involving nutrition
According to the Ottawa Charter approach [5], focusing on promoting health within individuals’ various life settings, the German population needs to improve their eating habits within their occupational settings. This setting is especially promising for health interventions because German employees spend almost 35 h per week at work [6], and the majority of German employees (65.4%; N = 2627 employees) visit a cafeteria at lunchtime [7]
We propose that universities may be able to promote students’ and employees’ healthy eating by applying healthy eating nudges in a cafeteria setting
Summary
In 2018, German insurance companies spent EUR 158 million on health promotion and prevention measures, the majority involving nutrition. According to the Ottawa Charter approach [5], focusing on promoting health within individuals’ various life settings, the German population needs to improve their eating habits within their occupational settings. This setting is especially promising for health interventions because German employees spend almost 35 h per week at work [6], and the majority of German employees (65.4%; N = 2627 employees) visit a cafeteria at lunchtime [7].
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