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Feeding strategies derived from behavioral economics can increase vegetable intake in children as part of a home‐based intervention (808.23)
Author(s) -
Cravener Terri,
Loeb Katharine,
Radnitz Cynthia,
Schwartz Marlene,
Zucker Nancy,
Finklestein Stacey,
Wang Y. Claire,
Rolls Barbara,
Keller Kathleen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.808.23
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , feeding behavior , treatment and control groups , intervention (counseling) , baseline (sea) , zoology , biology , nursing , pathology , fishery
We tested the effect of using behavioral economic strategies to increase children's vegetable intake in the home. These strategies included pairing cartoons with vegetables to increase appeal and presenting vegetables as the optimal default. Children (n=24; 3‐5 years‐old) in both control and treatment groups received weekly supplies of plain packaged vegetables, presented as a free choice with an alternative snack (granola bar), during baseline (wk 1) and follow‐up (wk 4). During wks 2‐3, the control group continued to receive plain packages, but the treatment group received vegetables packaged with their favorite cartoons with sticker incentives, presented as the default choice at snacks/meals. Children were allowed to opt for the granola bar after an imposed wait time. Weekly nutrition lessons were delivered to both groups. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a time* treatment interaction on vegetable intake; during wks 2‐3, the treatment group doubled vegetable intake from baseline, while the control showed no change (p<0.01). Increased vegetable intake during wks 2‐3 was associated with decreased granola bar intake (p蠄0.01). Behavioral economics has the potential to inform parental feeding practices and improve children’s food choices.