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What would B atman eat?: priming children to make healthier fast food choices
Author(s) -
Wansink B.,
Shimizu M.,
Camps G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pediatric obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.226
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 2047-6310
pISSN - 2047-6302
DOI - 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2011.00003.x
Subject(s) - french fries , priming (agriculture) , medicine , food choice , portion size , advertising , food science , chemistry , botany , germination , pathology , biology , business
Summary Background Fast food patronage is a frequent reality for many children and their parents. Although there are increasingly healthier alternatives for popular menu items (apple slices instead of F rench fries), they are infrequently selected. Objectives We investigated whether either of two priming tactics – the priming of a role model's food choices or the priming of healthy foods – could influence children to make healthier fast food choices. Methods In the priming model condition, 22 children (ranging in age from 6 to 12 years) were presented with 12 photos of 6 admirable and 6 less admirable models and asked, ‘Would this person order apple fries or French fries?’ In the health prime condition, the same children were shown 12 photos of 6 healthy foods and 6 less healthy foods and asked to indicate if each food was healthy or unhealthy. Results When children were asked what various admirable people – such as B atman or S piderman – would eat, 45% chose apple slices over F rench fries, which was higher than the health prime ( P < 0.001) or the control condition ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Advising a parent to ask their child ‘ W hat would B atman (or another admired character or person) eat?’ might be an easy step to take in what could be a healthier fast food world.