The effects of message framing on food choice
Date
2024-03-01
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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.
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Keywords
Message framing, Food choice, Eating behaviour, Prospect theory, Exemplification theory, Health-communications