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Integrating Educational, Environmental, and Behavioral Economic Strategies May Improve the Effectiveness of Obesity Interventions
Author(s) -
Gittelsohn Joel,
Lee Katherine
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
applied economic perspectives and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.4
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 2040-5804
pISSN - 2040-5790
DOI - 10.1093/aepp/pps044
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , choice architecture , conceptual framework , behavioral economics , conceptual model , public economics , behavior change , behavioural sciences , psychology , management science , economics , risk analysis (engineering) , business , computer science , sociology , social psychology , microeconomics , psychotherapist , social science , database , psychiatry
Interventions that change the food environment, provide nutrition education, and employ behavioral economics strategies can potentially contribute to healthier diets and reduce the risk of chronic disease, but no attempt has been made to integrate these into the same conceptual framework. We present case studies of three multilevel, integrated interventions implemented by Johns Hopkins University between 2004–2011. We develop a conceptual model based on these case studies. Interventions and policies should effectively maximize opportunities to nudge healthier behaviors. We believe that the integration of educational, environmental, and behavioral economic strategies will balance the strengths and limitations of each approach.