Hello,
I am interested to learn more about behavior change programs targeting healthy eating habits. Is anybody aware of any programs, initiatives, or research projects focused on this issue? We are specifically interested in behavior change programs fostering fresh food eating behaviors in rural settings. Any assistance or potential leads would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much,
Elliot Dale
[email protected]
Elliot Dale
Graduate student
Colorado State University
United States
Behavior Change Programs for Healthy Eating
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Hello Elliot,
Your question peaked my interest as I'm looking to do very similar research. My research proposal is still being formed, but will go up for approval this summer and hopefully begin next fall, as my faculty sponsor and I look at the question of "Which is more effective in influencing student food choices, social marketing or education?". This research question has many motivators, the first of which was my 3 semester internship in our University's dining services office, running the Real Food calculator put out by the national organization the real food challenge (check them out at realfoodchallenge.org). My next motivation came from my undergraduate major which is Health promotion and education and I'm very interested in which IS actually more effective at influencing behavior, simple marketing tactics i.e. signs, promotions, or educational tactics with in-class presentations and discussions. That's where I'm headed and hope that gives you a little bit of info, and I'd love to hear what progress you've made!
Willem Schott
Health Promotion Undergraduate Student
University of Utah
United States
...
To Elliot's question--I don't think this about education, this is about culture.
The first thing is to make sure there is lots of fresh, local food available, so maybe your first chunk of work is in farmer's markets and incubator farms.
Then, maybe something like local cooking shows. The Food Channel is crazy popular, people love to watch cooking. Of course watching cooking is not the same as cooking, but perhaps you can start to foster a culture in which cooking is positive and rooted in the land and people.
To Willem,
I think it was University of Virginia that studied labelling in fast-food restaurants, and found that 0.06% of customers looked at the signs. So, I wouldn't invest too much in signs.
I think you might be interested by my article on Compassionate Systems.
http://www.smallanddeliciouslife.com/compassionate_systems/
The book Nudge also has quite a bit on changing student food choices.
The short answer is that you MUST start changing the food that is being sold.
Best,
Ruben.
Ruben Anderson
smallanddeliciouslife.com