Determinants of food choice and perceptions of supermarket-based nudging interventions among adults with low socioeconomic position: The supreme nudge project
Harbers, Marjolein C.; Middel, Cédric N.H.; Stuber, Josine M.; Beulens, Joline W.J.; Rutters, Femke; van der Schouw, Yvonne T.
(2021) International journal of environmental research and public health, volume 18, issue 11, pp. 1 - 14
(Article)
Abstract
Nudging has received ample attention in scientific literature as an environmental strategy to promote healthy diets, and may be effective for reaching populations with low socioeconomic position (SEP). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate how the determinants of food choice shape the perceptions regarding supermarket-based nudging strategies
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among adults with low SEP. We conducted semi-structured interviews among fifteen adults with low SEP using a pre-defined topic list and visual examples of nudges. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results show that food costs, convenience, healthiness, taste, and habits were frequently mentioned as determinants of food choice. However, the relative importance of these determinants seemed to be context-dependent. Interviewees generally had a positive attitude towards nudges, especially when they were aligned with product preferences, information needs, and beliefs about the food environment. Still, some interviewees also expressed distrust towards nudging strategies, suspecting ulterior motives. We conclude that nudging strategies should target foods which align with product preferences and information needs. However, the suspicion of ulterior motives highlights an important concern which should be considered when implementing supermarket-based nudging strategies.
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Keywords: Choice Behavior, Diet, Healthy, Food Preferences, Perception, Socioeconomic Factors, Supermarkets, nudging, choice architecture, food choice, socioeconomic position, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
ISSN: 1661-7827
Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Note: Funding Information: Funding: Marjolein C. Harbers, Cédric N. H. Middel, and Josine M. Stuber were supported by the Netherlands Cardiovascular Research Initiative, an initiative with support of the Dutch Heart Foundation (CVON2016-04) and The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (531003001) in the context of the Supreme Nudge project. The Dutch Heart Foundation and The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development had no role in the design, analysis or writing of this article. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
(Peer reviewed)