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theses

Interdisciplinary Research is imperative to finding a creative solution to complex problems. The body of research presented in this dissertation harnesses the interdisciplinary model and illuminates the field of behavioral nutrition. The four studies draw on Behavioral Economics in the use of choice architecture or nudges to encourage the decision maker to choose healthier or pro social options while still preserving freedom to choose any option. Putting the Healthy Item First reports a field study that used a subtle nudge, a manipulation of the order in which ingredients appeared on a sandwich order slip, to test the effect of a cue to healthy eating in a college dining take-out facility. This study adds to the body of research on effective use of menu position to encourage healthier choices at the ingredient level. In Tasting with your Eyes, a labeling manipulation was used to determine the effect the label had on willingness to try and taste preference of a food item above and beyond the taste of the food itself. This study showed that a “locally sourced” or “organic” food label can affect taste and preference of a food item, holding constant the actual content of the food itself, and can be used as a nudge to promote a certain food. The America Runs on Nudges study used an explicit nudge to prompt customers to select a lower fat, lower calorie beverage choice at Dunkin’ Donuts. This study showed that a behavioral nudge could alter the ordering practices of the Dunkin’ Donuts customer. Drinking with Your Heart on Your Straw compared the effects of two specific types of nudges on beverage choice. The effect of a nutrition (self-interest) motive, charity (pro-social) and combination of nutrition and charity motive on beverage choice was studied in a field setting at an Italian franchise on a university campus. The nutrition and combination nudge was effective in promoting beverage choice of water but the charity nudge was not. The results of the four studies presented in this dissertation illustrate how we can harness the use of nudges to entice people to choose the healthy option.

ETD_6726

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

by Peggy Policastro

doi:10.7282/T3BR8V5D

ETD doctoral

The author owns the copyright to this work.