Knowledge Exchange July
Case Study: Nudging consumers towards healthier choices

A significant area of the SSA and RSA funded programs involve using nudging techniques to promote healthy eating behaviour. Australian scientists from the University of Newcastle have recently published a review of 18 studies investigating the effect of nudging techniques on food choice, such as changing food product position or proximity. The review found 16 of the studies showed a positive impact of nudging, participants were encouraged to make a healthier choice. In the two studies where no positive impact was recorded, the adjusted position was a minor change and all foods remained within reach. The strength of the effect appears to depend on the type of position change, i.e. how far away foods are placed. The best results for healthy choice product selection occur when unhealthy food products are placed completely out of sight rather than just out of reach. The review also identified a need for high-quality studies that measure the positional effects on food choice and the impact on food intake. The projects you are involved in delivering will contribute to this need.

To find out more read ‘Altering food choice architecture can promote healthy eating’.