What would batman eat?: priming children to make healthier fast food choices.

Auteur(s) :
Wansink B., Shimizu M., Camps G.
Date :
Avr, 2012
Source(s) :
Pediatr Obes.. #7:2 p121-123
Adresse :
Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. [email protected]

Sommaire de l'article

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 French 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 Batman or Spiderman – would eat, 45% chose apple slices over French 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 'What would Batman (or another admired character or person) eat?' might be an easy step to take in what could be a healthier fast food world.

Source : Pubmed
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