Stephanie C M Asbridge1, Emily Pechey1, Theresa M Marteau1, Gareth J Hollands2. 1. Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK. 2. Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK. Electronic address: gareth.hollands@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence concerning the potential effectiveness of health warning labels (HWLs) using images and text to depict possible negative health consequences of consumption, for reducing selection of energy-dense snack foods. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms have received little attention; particularly effects on implicit attitudes, which previous work has shown may mediate the effect of aversive images on food choice. AIM: To assess the impact of pairing image- and text-based HWLs with energy-dense snack foods on a) the selection of, and b) implicit and explicit attitudes towards, those foods. METHODS: Online experimental study with a representative UK sample (n = 1185), using a 2(Image/No Image) x 2(Text/No Text) factorial between-subjects design. Participants were randomised to one of four study arms, viewing snack food images paired with either: image-only HWLs, text-only HWLs, image-and-text HWLs, or no HWLs (control). HWLs concerned various negative health consequences of excess energy intake, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The primary outcome was hypothetical food choice (energy-dense snack foods versus fruit), assessed post-intervention. Secondary outcomes were implicit and explicit attitudes. RESULTS: Neither food choice nor explicit attitudes were changed significantly by any type of HWL. Implicit attitudes towards energy-dense snack foods were more negative after exposure to text-only or image-and-text HWLs. Both implicit and explicit attitudes predicted unique variance in food choice. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that short-term repeated exposure to HWLs paired with energy-dense snack foods may not consistently alter food choices, but can change implicit attitudes associated with food choices. Further laboratory and field studies are needed to more definitively assess the impact of HWLs on food selection and consumption in applied contexts and over time, as well as delineate underlying mechanisms.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence concerning the potential effectiveness of health warning labels (HWLs) using images and text to depict possible negative health consequences of consumption, for reducing selection of energy-dense snack foods. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms have received little attention; particularly effects on implicit attitudes, which previous work has shown may mediate the effect of aversive images on food choice. AIM: To assess the impact of pairing image- and text-based HWLs with energy-dense snack foods on a) the selection of, and b) implicit and explicit attitudes towards, those foods. METHODS: Online experimental study with a representative UK sample (n = 1185), using a 2(Image/No Image) x 2(Text/No Text) factorial between-subjects design. Participants were randomised to one of four study arms, viewing snack food images paired with either: image-only HWLs, text-only HWLs, image-and-text HWLs, or no HWLs (control). HWLs concerned various negative health consequences of excess energy intake, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The primary outcome was hypothetical food choice (energy-dense snack foods versus fruit), assessed post-intervention. Secondary outcomes were implicit and explicit attitudes. RESULTS: Neither food choice nor explicit attitudes were changed significantly by any type of HWL. Implicit attitudes towards energy-dense snack foods were more negative after exposure to text-only or image-and-text HWLs. Both implicit and explicit attitudes predicted unique variance in food choice. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that short-term repeated exposure to HWLs paired with energy-dense snack foods may not consistently alter food choices, but can change implicit attitudes associated with food choices. Further laboratory and field studies are needed to more definitively assess the impact of HWLs on food selection and consumption in applied contexts and over time, as well as delineate underlying mechanisms.
Authors: Daniel H Rosenblatt; Stefan Bode; Helen Dixon; Carsten Murawski; Patrick Summerell; Alyssa Ng; Melanie Wakefield Journal: Appetite Date: 2018-05-09 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Natasha Clarke; Emily Pechey; Daina Kosīte; Laura M König; Eleni Mantzari; Anna K M Blackwell; Theresa M Marteau; Gareth J Hollands Journal: Health Psychol Rev Date: 2020-07-02
Authors: Minna Ventsel; Emily Pechey; Katie De-Loyde; Mark A Pilling; Richard W Morris; Giulia Maistrello; Hisham Ziauddeen; Theresa M Marteau; Gareth J Hollands; Paul C Fletcher Journal: Appetite Date: 2022-05-14 Impact factor: 5.016