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Digital nudging at the university canteen: an online study with American young adults

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Andreani

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Rungsaran Wongprawmas

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Beatrice Biasini

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Alice Rosi

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Cinzia Franchini

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Irina Dolgopolova

    (Maastricht University)

  • Cristina Mora

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Davide Menozzi

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Francesca Scazzina

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

  • Miguel I. Gómez

    (Cornell University)

  • Jutta Roosen

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Giovanni Sogari

    (University of Parma (UNIPR))

Abstract

Resource scarcity, the effects of climate change, food insecurity, and health issues related to dietary choices have prompted policymakers to develop new strategies to encourage populations to opt for healthy and sustainable (HS) diets. In this context, nudging strategies are promising tools to promote healthy and sustainable dietary behaviors. However, nudges are context-dependent as a specific nudging intervention should be employed in a specific context. This research aims at determining the effects of different nudges on students’ food choices in the context of a hypothetical online pre-ordering system of the college canteen. An experimental study was conducted in the USA with 1400 American college students (18–24 years old). We used a between-subject design with one control and three treatment groups—i.e., a HS logo to identify HS dishes, dish placement (the order in which dishes are displayed on the menu), and a combination of the two nudges. Our main results showed that the logo and logo plus placement led to a significantly increased selection of HS dishes among students who already had strong HS eating behaviors. In addition, individual characteristics (e.g., being flexitarian or vegetarian, being on a low-calorie diet, being a graduate student, and living in dormitories on college campuses) also affected their HS food choices; thus, the population traits, living conditions, and eating habits should be taken into consideration in order to establish successful nudging techniques.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Andreani & Rungsaran Wongprawmas & Beatrice Biasini & Alice Rosi & Cinzia Franchini & Irina Dolgopolova & Cristina Mora & Davide Menozzi & Francesca Scazzina & Miguel I. Gómez & Jutta Roosen & , 2024. "Digital nudging at the university canteen: an online study with American young adults," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:12:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-024-00335-5
    DOI: 10.1186/s40100-024-00335-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sogari, Giovanni & Wongprawmas, Rungsaran & Andreani, Giulia & Lefebvre, Michele & Pellegrini, Nicoletta & Gómez, Miguel I. & Mora, Cristina & Menozzi, Davide, 2024. "Intention and behavior toward eating whole grain pasta on a college dining campus: Theory of Planned Behavior and message framing," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 13(3), October.
    2. Elisa Giampietri & Giuseppe Bugin & Samuele Trestini, 2021. "On the association between risk attitude and fruit and vegetable consumption: insights from university students in Italy," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Oliver P. Hauser & Francesca Gino & Michael I. Norton, 2018. "Budging beliefs, nudging behaviour," Mind & Society: Cognitive Studies in Economics and Social Sciences, Springer;Fondazione Rosselli, vol. 17(1), pages 15-26, November.
    4. Irina Dolgopolova & Alessia Toscano & Jutta Roosen, 2021. "Different Shades of Nudges: Moderating Effects of Individual Characteristics and States on the Effectiveness of Nudges during a Fast-Food Order," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Laiou, Elpiniki & Rapti, Iro & Schwarzer, Ralf & Fleig, Lena & Cianferotti, Luisella & Ngo, Joy & Rizos, Evangelos C. & Wetle, Terrie Fox & Kahlmeier, Sonja & Vigilanza, Antonella & Tsilidis, Konstant, 2021. "Review: Nudge interventions to promote healthy diets and physical activity," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    6. Romain Cadario & Pierre Chandon, 2020. "Which Healthy Eating Nudges Work Best? A Meta-Analysis of Field Experiments," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 39(3), pages 465-486, May.
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