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Valenčič E, Beckett E, Collins CE, Koroušić Seljak B, Bucher T. SnackTrack-An App-Based Tool to Assess the Influence of Digital and Physical Environments on Snack Choice. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15020349. [PMID: 36678219 PMCID: PMC9862135 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
As food choices are usually processed subconsciously, both situational and food environment cues influence choice. This study developed and tested a mobile app to investigate the association between physical and digital environments on snack choices. SnackTrack was designed and used to collect data on the snack choices of 188 users in real-life settings during an 8-week feasibility trial. The app asks users to take a photo of the food they are planning to consume and to provide additional information regarding the physical environment and context in which this food was eaten. The app also displayed various user interface designs (i.e., different background images) to investigate the potential effects of images on snack choice. Preliminary results suggest that the time of snack obtainment did not have a significant effect on the healthfulness of the snacks chosen. Conversely, it was found that unhealthy background images appeared to encourage healthier snack choices. In conclusion, despite consumers having the knowledge to make healthy choices, environmental cues can alter food choices. SnackTrack, a novel tool to investigate the influence of physical and digital environments on consumers' food choices, provides possibilities for exploring what encourages (un)healthy eating behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Valenčič
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
- Food and Nutrition Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
- Computer Systems Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
| | - Emma Beckett
- Food and Nutrition Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Clare E. Collins
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
- Food and Nutrition Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Barbara Koroušić Seljak
- Computer Systems Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamara Bucher
- Food and Nutrition Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
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Eschle TM, Wale SP, McCarrick D. Rumination and Worry Selectively Modulate Total Calorie Consumption within an Online, Nudge Tactic Paradigm. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12. [PMID: 35323386 DOI: 10.3390/bs12030067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rumination and worry, collectively referred to as perseverative cognition, have been implicated in the increased engagement of several health risk behaviours. The current study aimed to investigate the potential influencing role of these repetitive negative thought cognitions in an online snack paradigm. Participants were randomly assigned to either an even condition (a 3:3 ratio of ≤101 kcal and >201 kcal snacks) or an uneven condition (a 4:2 ratio in favour of ≤101 kcal snacks). Upon the presentation of six images of sweet treats, participants were asked to choose the snack they most wanted to consume “right now”, before completing the Ultra-Brief Penn State Worry Questionnaire (UB-PSWQ) and the brief (5-item) Ruminative Response Scale (RRS). The results showed that the reduced availability of higher calorie snacks significantly improved both snack choice and total calorie consumption. However, despite rumination and worry having no influence on the snack type chosen, higher levels of rumination still led to significantly higher overall calorie consumption. Although, contrary to predictions, higher levels of worry conversely led to significantly lower overall calorie consumption. This study adds to the growing work in the role of perseverative cognition and food consumption, which may aid in informing public health strategies. Further exploration is needed to assess whether rumination directly induces unhealthy eating behaviours or simply exacerbates them.
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Emmerson C, John B, Faulkner S, Lancastle D, Roderique-Davies G. The Effectiveness of Brief Information and Self-Efficacy-Based Interventions in Influencing Snack Choices in Homeless Individuals. Front Public Health 2017; 5:293. [PMID: 29164099 PMCID: PMC5681834 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Homeless adults frequently experience poor nutrition. Research suggests raising self-efficacy and nutritional knowledge can increase healthy eating but that the choice of specific behavioral change techniques (BCTs) is also critical. This study investigated how BCTs, operationalized to increase nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy, might influence the choice of homeless adults when presented with a “healthy” and an “unhealthy” snack. Methods A total of 125 homeless adults were randomly allocated to watch 1 of 4 brief films: “control,” “[nutrition] information only,” “self-efficacy” (aimed at increasing self-efficacy and general healthy eating knowledge), and “enhanced self-efficacy” (as “self-efficacy,” but the presenter identified themselves as a homeless adult). Post-film, participants were invited to choose between a healthy and an unhealthy snack. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi square. Results Participants in the “enhanced self-efficacy” condition were significantly more likely to choose the healthy option compared to those in the control condition; for the “self-efficacy” condition, the difference was marginally significant. Perceived knowledge and self-efficacy were significantly associated and those with high self-efficacy were significantly more likely to choose a healthy snack regardless of condition. Conclusion Homeless adults are more likely to make healthy snack choices if their nutritional self-efficacy is increased through encouragement by a peer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Emmerson
- School of Psychology & Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom
| | - Bev John
- School of Psychology & Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Faulkner
- School of Psychology & Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Lancastle
- School of Psychology & Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Roderique-Davies
- School of Psychology & Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom
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