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Using Healthy Defaults in Walt Disney World Restaurants to Improve Nutritional Choices

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  • John Peters
  • Jimikaye Beck
  • Jan Lande
  • Zhaoxing Pan
  • Michelle Cardel
  • Keith Ayoob
  • James O. Hill

Abstract

A retrospective study of kids' meals purchased at Walt Disney World was conducted to determine acceptance rates for healthy sides and beverages. Purchase data from all 145 Walt Disney World restaurants were analyzed using a log-linear model and a Poisson regression. Across all restaurants, 47.9% and 66.3% of guests accepted healthy default sides and beverages, respectively. Acceptance rates of sides and beverages were higher at quick-service restaurants (49.4% and 67.8%, respectively) compared to table-service restaurants (40.3% and 45.6%, respectively). The healthy defaults reduced calories (21.4%), fat (43.9%), and sodium (43.4%) for kids' meal sides and beverages. This study contributes by examining the use of kids' meal healthy defaults in quick-service and table-service restaurant formats at the world's largest theme park, a previously unstudied setting, and by providing the largest ever healthy default data set. The results suggest that healthy defaults can shift food and beverage selection patterns toward healthier options.

Suggested Citation

  • John Peters & Jimikaye Beck & Jan Lande & Zhaoxing Pan & Michelle Cardel & Keith Ayoob & James O. Hill, 2016. "Using Healthy Defaults in Walt Disney World Restaurants to Improve Nutritional Choices," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 92-103.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jacres:doi:10.1086/684364
    DOI: 10.1086/684364
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    Cited by:

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    2. Steffen Jahn & Pia Furchheim & Anna-Maria Strässner, 2021. "Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Motivational Adoption Barriers and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Wansink, Brian, 2017. "Healthy Profits: An Interdisciplinary Retail Framework that Increases the Sales of Healthy Foods," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 93(1), pages 65-78.
    4. Jacob Suher & Raj Raghunathan & Wayne D. Hoyer, 2016. "Eating Healthy or Feeling Empty? How the "Healthy = Less Filling" Intuition Influences Satiety," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 26-40.
    5. Nguyen Pham & Naomi Mandel & Andrea C. Morales, 2016. "Messages from the Food Police: How Food-Related Warnings Backfire among Dieters," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 175-190.
    6. Stephen S. Holden & Natalina Zlatevska & Chris Dubelaar, 2016. "Whether Smaller Plates Reduce Consumption Depends on Who's Serving and Who's Looking: A Meta-Analysis," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 134-146.
    7. Norbert Wilson, 2016. "When the Cupboards Are Bare: Nudging Food Pantry Clients to Healthier Foods," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 125-133.
    8. Ata Jami, 2016. "Healthy Reflections: The Influence of Mirror-Induced Self-Awareness on Taste Perceptions," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 57-70.
    9. Vivica Kraak & Tessa Englund & Sarah Misyak & Elena Serrano, 2017. "Progress Evaluation for the Restaurant Industry Assessed by a Voluntary Marketing-Mix and Choice-Architecture Framework That Offers Strategies to Nudge American Customers toward Healthy Food Environme," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-31, July.
    10. Koert van Ittersum & Brian Wansink, 2016. "The Behavioral Science of Eating: Encouraging Boundary Research That Has Impact," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 5-14.
    11. 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.
    12. Phoebe Harpainter & Sridharshi C. Hewawitharana & Danielle L. Lee & Anna C. Martin & Wendi Gosliner & Lorrene D. Ritchie & Gail Woodward-Lopez, 2020. "Voluntary Kids’ Meal Beverage Standards: Are They Sufficient to Ensure Healthier Restaurant Practices and Consumer Choices?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-12, July.

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