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‘Nudge’ interventions for improving children's dietary behaviors in the home: a systematic review

journal contribution
posted on 2017-09-01, 00:00 authored by Kate LycettKate Lycett, A Miller, A Knox, S Dunn, J A Kerr, V Sung, M Wake
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Background ‘Nudges’ subtly alter the social and physical environment to enhance capacity for subconscious, self-interested behaviors, without actively restricting options. Nudges could offer a much-needed strategy to foster sustainable improvements in dietary behaviors and weight status. Aim To systematically review the effectiveness of nudge interventions designed to improve children's dietary behaviors within the family home (or another environment if judged transferable to the home). Methods English-language studies published January 1996–January 2015 were identified in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and PubMed, followed by dual screening and quality evaluation. Inclusion: controlled studies; nudge with in-home potential. Exclusion: medical health conditions. Results Of the 40 included studies, 33 (83%) showed improvement in dietary behaviors (e.g. more vegetables, smaller unhealthy portions) and were more effective in older children/adolescents. The quality of most studies was rated as weak (43%) or moderate (40%), with only six studies rated strong (15%), reflecting major issues with quality, effectiveness and generalizability. Nudges were typically assessed in isolation and examined immediate effects on behavior. Conclusion Despite substantial methodological limitations and inconsistencies, the literature indicates that nudges may improve children's immediate dietary behaviors. It is unclear whether these improvements could be sustained or affect body weight (PROSPERO, CRD42016036373).

History

Journal

Obesity medicine

Volume

7

Pagination

21 - 33

Publisher

Elsevier

Location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

eISSN

2451-8476

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2017, Elsevier

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