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Behavioural Insights and (Un)healthy Dietary Choices: a Review of Current Evidence

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  • J. M. Bauer

    (Copenhagen Business School)

  • L. A. Reisch

    (Copenhagen Business School)

Abstract

This paper reviews the current evidence about behavioural insights in the field of (un)healthy food choice that can support the development of behavioural public-policy tools. It extends previous work on behaviourally based policies in health and food choice, both academic and professional. The core of the paper is a summary of reviews of behavioural insights-based interventions and the scientific evidence regarding their efficacy in nudging people towards healthier food choices. Overall, we cover 39 systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses published between 2010 and 2017. Additionally, we outline potential drivers and theories that could help to explain the mechanisms behind these interventions. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results and suggestions for policy-makers aiming to make use of behavioural insights in health policy.

Suggested Citation

  • J. M. Bauer & L. A. Reisch, 2019. "Behavioural Insights and (Un)healthy Dietary Choices: a Review of Current Evidence," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 3-45, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jcopol:v:42:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10603-018-9387-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10603-018-9387-y
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    Cited by:

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    3. Cadario, Romain & Chandon, Pierre, 2019. "Viewpoint: Effectiveness or consumer acceptance? Tradeoffs in selecting healthy eating nudges," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1-6.
    4. E. Reijnen & S. J. Kühne & H. M. Gugelberg & A. Crameri, 2019. "Nudged to a Menu Position: The Role of “I’m Loving It”!," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 441-453, September.
    5. Belot, Michèle & James, Jonathan, 2022. "Incentivizing dietary choices among children: Review of experimental evidence," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    6. Nguyen, Trang & de Brauw, Alan & van den Berg, Marrit, 2022. "Sweet or not: Using information and cognitive dissonance to nudge children toward healthier food choices," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    7. Bauer, Jan M. & Nielsen, Kristian S. & Hofmann, Wilhelm & Reisch, Lucia A., 2022. "Healthy eating in the wild: An experience-sampling study of how food environments and situational factors shape out-of-home dietary success," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    8. Bauer, Jan M. & Aarestrup, Simon C. & Hansen, Pelle G. & Reisch, Lucia A., 2022. "Nudging more sustainable grocery purchases: Behavioural innovations in a supermarket setting," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    9. Christine Kawa & Wim H. Gijselaers & Jan F. H. Nijhuis & Patrizia M. Ianiro-Dahm, 2022. "Are You “Nudgeable”? Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Healthy Eating Nudges in a Cafeteria Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-20, March.
    10. Lucia A Reisch, 2021. "Shaping healthy and sustainable food systems with behavioural food policy [The impacts of dietary change on greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, and health: a systematic review]," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 48(4), pages 665-693.
    11. Perino, Grischa & Schwirplies, Claudia, 2022. "Meaty arguments and fishy effects: Field experimental evidence on the impact of reasons to reduce meat consumption," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    12. Medina-Molina, Cayetano & Rey-Moreno, Manuel & Periáñez-Cristóbal, Rafael, 2021. "Analysis of the moderating effect of front-of-pack labelling on the relation between brand attitude and purchasing intention," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 304-310.
    13. Xiaozhi Xiang & Li Peng & Yaxian Zhang, 2023. "Towards more sustainable diets: Insights from food production responses to diet transitions in China," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1951-1964, June.
    14. Christine Kawa & Patrizia M. Ianiro-Dahm & Jan F. H. Nijhuis & Wim H. Gijselaers, 2021. "Cafeteria Online: Nudges for Healthier Food Choices in a University Cafeteria—A Randomized Online Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.
    15. M. G. Ceravolo & V. Farina & L. Fattobene & L. Leonelli & G. Raggetti, 2021. "Gender-Related Variability in Information Processing of Disclosure Documents," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 217-233, June.

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