Author Contributions: Study concept and design: Wansink, Camps, and Shimizu. Acquisition of data: Wansink, Camps, and Shimizu. Analysis and interpretation of data: Camps and Shimizu. Drafting of the manuscript: Wansink. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Shimizu and Wansink. Statistical analysis: Shimizu. Obtained funding: Wansink. Administrative, technical, and material support: Wansink and Shimizu. Study supervision: Wansink.
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Original Article
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What would Batman eat?: priming children to make healthier fast food choices
Article first published online: 8 MAR 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2011.00003.x
© 2012 The Authors. Pediatric Obesity © 2012 International Association for the Study of Obesity
Additional Information
How to Cite
Wansink, B., Shimizu, M. and Camps, G. (2012), What would Batman eat?: priming children to make healthier fast food choices. Pediatric Obesity, 7: 121–123. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2011.00003.x
Financial Disclosure: Dr. Wansink receives royalties from the book, ‘Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think’ (2006).
Funding/Support: Dr Wansink received funding as the John S. Dyson Endowed Chair at Cornell University.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 13 MAR 2012
- Article first published online: 8 MAR 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 23 AUG 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 24 MAY 2011
- Manuscript Received: 9 JAN 2011
Funded by
- Cornell University
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Fast food restaurants;
- food choice;
- food intake;
- priming
Summary
Background
Fast food patronage is a frequent reality for many children and their parents. Although there are increasingly healthier alternatives for popular menu items (apple slices instead of French fries), they are infrequently selected.
Objectives
We investigated whether either of two priming tactics – the priming of a role model's food choices or the priming of healthy foods – could influence children to make healthier fast food choices.
Methods
In the priming model condition, 22 children (ranging in age from 6 to 12 years) were presented with 12 photos of 6 admirable and 6 less admirable models and asked, ‘Would this person order apple fries or French fries?’ In the health prime condition, the same children were shown 12 photos of 6 healthy foods and 6 less healthy foods and asked to indicate if each food was healthy or unhealthy.
Results
When children were asked what various admirable people – such as Batman or Spiderman – would eat, 45% chose apple slices over French fries, which was higher than the health prime (P < 0.001) or the control condition (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Advising a parent to ask their child ‘What would Batman (or another admired character or person) eat?’ might be an easy step to take in what could be a healthier fast food world.