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Emotional reactions to food interventions: Evidence from an online survey

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  • Braut, Beatrice
  • Zaccagni, Sarah

Abstract

We conduct an online survey to test whether interventions to foster individual motivation to eat healthy change emotional reactions to food choices. By keeping constant the change in food choice, we test if different policies evoke different emotions. The hypothetical interventions consist of a price discount or a reminder of the importance of adhering to a healthy diet. We compare the effects of the two interventions on the emotions declared at the end of the survey and on the gap between the emotions proclaimed at the beginning and the end. We find that the price discount has a positive effect on the emotional reaction of the subjects. In contrast, the reminder does not affect emotions. The positive impact of the price discount is more substantial among youth, suggesting that this age group is more sensitive to monetary incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Braut, Beatrice & Zaccagni, Sarah, 2023. "Emotional reactions to food interventions: Evidence from an online survey," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(3), pages 419-426.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reecon:v:77:y:2023:i:3:p:419-426
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rie.2023.06.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Eating behavior; Framing; Emotions; Survey; Healthy eating;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health

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