The effects of message framing on food choice

Abstract

As unhealthy eating habits and nutrition-linked health problems continue to pose significant public health concerns, understanding the effects of health communications has become crucial in promoting healthier food choices. The current research sought to understand the effectiveness of message framing and evidence type on food choice. The current study exposed participants to messages that described either the gains associated with eating healthy foods, the losses associated with eating unhealthy foods, or non-nutritional messages. Messages also manipulated whether they conveyed information using a narrative or statistical format. Data from the 3 (message framing: gain-framed, loss-framed, and control) x 2 (evidence type: statistical versus narrative) between-subject design showed that both gain-framed and loss-framed conditions promoted more healthy food choices than the control conditions. However, manipulating the evidence type did not persuade participants to make healthier food choices. Moreover, the results did not identify a significant interaction between message framing and evidence type. Implications of the current study are useful for understanding how health communication messages can influence people’s food choices, and aid policymakers in developing persuasive health communication campaigns.