Using Catering 'Nudges' to Improve Children’s Diets in Schools

Abstract

Increasing consumption of healthy food such as fruit and vegetables (FV) is very important as children are in a sensitive period affecting their development, however, it is less than recommended. Although it was reported that nudges can alter FV consumption among children, the majority of nudges sometimes fail to increase consumption. This study is seeking to examine the influence of a low-cost behavioural nudge on the consumption of FV among students in one of the primary schools in Wales. 82 students participated in the study. A within-subject design was used. The intervention included placements of bright posters at the buffet, giving labels to food, provision of verbal encouragement to students, and chopping and placing FV in a colourful plastic bowl. FV consumption before and after the intervention was assessed. This study showed increasing in students’ consumption of FV. However, the increase in the consumption of fruit was higher than the consumption of vegetables. This may be justified by children's preference to eat fruits. One of the key implications of this study is that the intervention and Nudging behaviour hold promise in changing children's eating habits. Policymakers and headmasters are recommended to apply this intervention at school as it may increase the consumption of healthy food. Future research is needed to examine how to increase the effectiveness of interventions on the consumption of vegetables. Keywords: children’s diet, healthy food, fruit and vegetables, behavioural nudges