Obesity: Can Behavioral Economics Help?

Just, David R.; Payne, Collin R.

doi:10.1007/s12160-009-9119-2

Cited by 91 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…A number of field studies reviewed by Just and Payne (2009), suggest a variety of nudge strategies that may be effective and acceptable to the consumer. These include the provision of small plates and utensils in 'all you can eat' restaurants, and positioning buffet food further away from the customers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The items encountered most frequently at checkouts are magazines, chewing gum, confectionary, soft drinks and batteries (Front End Focus, 2008). These minor changes in the micro environment find reflection in the nudge theory and nudge strategies which usually consist of covert interventions that aim to change behaviour in subtle ways (Just & Payne, 2009), To date, however, there are no published studies testing the effect of nudging changes in eating behavior by locating fruit at the checkouts and removing the confectionary from the checkout area. This could be due to commercial interests that dictate maximizing profit from sales regardless of the long term consequences for the health of the population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nudging Customers towards Healthier Choices: An Intervention in the University Canteen

Chapman¹,

Ogden

2012

JFR

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The notion of nudge effects was investigated in two field experiments which focused on influencing customers' purchases by manipulating the location and availability of food in a University canteen setting. Study 1 manipulated the location of fruit and confectionary. Study 2 restricted the types of bread (i.e. brown only not white) that customers could choose for their sandwiches. The results of the Study1 showed that the fruit sales increased when positioned away from the checkouts. The majority of interviewed customers bought fruit intentionally but those who bought confectionary did it on impulse. In the Study 2, a restricted choice of baguettes did not reduce sales, with customers simply buying more brown baguettes. This increase did not persist after the intervention. Simple changes in the location and availability of food items can nudge the customers' purchases towards the choice of healthier options. There may be different processes that guide the purchase of fruit (intention/deliberation) and confectionary (impulse/reflex).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nudging Customers towards Healthier Choices: An Intervention in the University Canteen

Chapman¹,

Ogden

2012

JFR

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“…Indeed, Cummins and his research team have shown on two occasions (2008, 2014) that even when presented with a new food source, many people do not deviate from their old habits. Assuming that storeswitching equates with dietary change ignores the imperfect choice sets enacted when in the shopping environment (Just and Payne 2009). Recognizing that people across the entire socioeconomic spectrum are subject to this imperfection, researchers and practitioners cannot fairly claim that the primary solution to food deserts should be to simply attract retail investment into underserved neighborhoods.…”

Section: Structuration Theory/habitusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theoretical issues in the ‘food desert’ debate and ways forward

2015

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Food is essential to life-yet the spatial and economic configuration of the conventional food system does not meet nutritional needs and exacerbates issues of food insecurity. Relevant options for policy change have been explored in light of evaluations of geographic disparities in food access, but the dominant 'food desert' discourse often focuses uncritically on insufficient conceptions of access. Understanding the complexity of food deserts is important for moving into meaningful policy action. We present a theoretical position to inspire future empirical research. The ecological model recognizes both endogenous and built environment factors in shaping health. Interventions in the food environment, however, often concentrate exclusively on structural determinants of health (e.g. retail-based initiatives). Yet retail-based interventions are difficult to implement due to governance systems which limit the ability of government bodies to influence private retail development. As well, recognizing the complexity of debates over the influence of structure and agency, we apply structuration theory to food deserts. Behavioral economics further informs both structural and behavioral determinants of health.This approach sidesteps the issue of victim-blaming, as all consumers are viewed as 'predictably irrational' in decision-making. In combining these theories, we challenge methodological and theoretical assumptions by showing the complexity of food desert interventions. Policy recommendations focus on behavioral determinants of health and the opportunities for empowerment through local food systems. These recommendations recognize the limits of translating research into policy and in devising effective food based interventions, and are sensitive to social, economic, and political constraints uncovered throughout the paper.

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“…This approach for the study of 367 delayed rewards can be extended to other domains such as reducing obesity (Just & Payne, 2009) 368 and improving cardiovascular health (Fair et al, 2008). The research in this area will probably be 369 most successful if it takes a holistic approach into account, i.e.…”

Section: Conclusion and Future Directions 366mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding consumer decisions using behavioral economics

Zandstra¹,

Miyapuram²,

Tobler³

2013

Progress in Brain Research

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Consumers make many decisions in everyday life involving finances, food, and health. It is known from behavioral economics research that people are often driven by short-term gratification, that is, people tend to choose the immediate, albeit smaller reward. But choosing the delayed reward, that is, delaying the gratification, can actually be beneficial. How can we motivate consumers to resist the "now" and invest in their future, leading to sustainable or healthy habits? We review recent developments from behavioral and neuroimaging studies that are relevant for understanding consumer decisions. Further, we present results from our field research that examined whether we can increase the perceived value of a (delayed) environmental benefit using tailored communication, that is, change the way it is framed. More specifically, we investigated whether we can boost the value of an abstract, long-term "green" claim of a product by expressing it as a concrete, short-term benefit. This is a new application area for behavioral economics.

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Obesity: Can Behavioral Economics Help?

Cited by 91 publications

References 51 publications

Nudging Customers towards Healthier Choices: An Intervention in the University Canteen

Nudging Customers towards Healthier Choices: An Intervention in the University Canteen

Theoretical issues in the ‘food desert’ debate and ways forward

Understanding consumer decisions using behavioral economics

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