ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of various types of inoculation message treatments on resistance to persuasive and potentially deceptive health- and nutrition-related (HNR) content claims of commercial food advertisers. METHODS: A three-phase experiment was conducted among 145 students from a Midwestern U.S. university. Quantitative statistical analyses were used to interpret the results. Results: Results provide clear evidence that integrating regulatory focus/fit considerations enhances the treatment effectiveness of inoculation messages. Inoculation messages that employed a preventative, outcome focus with concrete language were most effective at countering HNR advertising claims. The findings indicate that inoculation fosters resistance equally across the most common types of commercially advertised HNR product claims (e.g., absolute, general, and structure/function claims). CONCLUSIONS: As the drive to refine the inoculation process model continues, further testing and application of this strategy in a public health context is needed to counter ongoing efforts by commercial food advertisers to avoid government regulations against deceptive practices such as dubious health/nutrition claims. This research advances inoculation theory by providing evidence that 1) good regulatory fit strengthens the effect of refutational preemption and 2) an inoculation approach is highly effective at fostering resistance to commercial advertisers' HNR content claims. This macro approach appears far superior to education or information-based promotional health campaigns targeted solely at specific populations demonstrating rising rates of noncommunicable disease.
OBJETIVO: Estudiar el efecto de diversos tipos de tratamientos basados en mensajes de inoculación sobre la resistencia a los reclamos de los anunciantes de alimentos comerciales con contenidos persuasivos y potencialmente engañosos relacionados con la salud y la nutrición (RSN). MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un experimento en tres fases en el que participaron 145 estudiantes de una universidad del centro oeste de los Estados Unidos. Para interpretar los resultados, se utilizaron análisis estadísticos cuantitativos. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron datos probatorios claros de que la integración de las consideraciones de la teoría del enfoque/ajuste regulador mejoran la eficacia de los tratamientos basados en mensajes de inoculación. Los mensajes de inoculación que adoptaron un enfoque de prevención de resultados y utilizaron un lenguaje concreto fueron más eficaces en contrarrestar los reclamos publicitarios RSN. Se observó que la inoculación fomenta la resistencia por igual frente a los tipos más frecuentes de reclamos RSN de los productos anunciados comercialmente (reclamos absolutos, generales, y de estructura y función). CONCLUSIONES: Mientras se mantienen los intentos de perfeccionar el modelo del proceso de inoculación, es preciso seguir poniendo a prueba y aplicando esta estrategia en un contexto de salud pública con objeto de contrarrestar las iniciativas regulares de los anunciantes de alimentos comerciales para evitar las reglamentaciones gubernamentales contra prácticas engañosas tales como los reclamos equívocos en materia de salud y nutrición. Esta investigación promueve la teoría de la inoculación al proporcionar datos probatorios de que 1) un buen ajuste regulador fortalece el efecto de la prevención refutadora; y 2) un método de inoculación resulta ser muy eficaz en fomentar la resistencia a los reclamos con contenidos RSN de los anunciantes comerciales. Este enfoque macro se muestra muy superior a las campañas de promoción de la salud educativas o basadas en la información dirigidas exclusivamente a poblaciones específicas que presentan tasas ascendentes de enfermedades no transmisibles.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Young Adult , Advertising , Attitude to Health , Behavior Control , Diet Fads/psychology , Health Education/methods , Persuasive Communication , Quackery/psychology , Checklist , Choice Behavior , Chronic Disease/prevention & control , Deception , Dissent and Disputes , Models, Psychological , Motivation , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
Popular fad diets are practiced in Saudi Arabia but little is known about the nutritional adequacy of these diets. The aims of this study were to describe, analyze, and evaluate some popular fad diets and to make recommendations on their use. A total of 10 fad diets were chosen to be evaluated as they were established to be popular in Saudi Arabia. The internet and diet books were used to obtain descriptions and menu plans. Dietary analysis of three days menus for each diet was evaluated. A validated questionnaire for rating popular diets was used to analyze nutritional adequacy, daily energy allowance, recommended rate of weight loss, flexibility and sustainability, physical activity advice, use of supplements, claims, author's credentials and scientific evidence. Nutrients at risk were established by comparing analysis with National Reference Values. Overall scores for the 10 diets ranged from 12 to 65 out of 100. Scores for nutritional adequacy ranged from 12 to 32 out of 40. Four diets provided less than 4200kJ/day. Seven diets did not provide adequate carbohydrate intakes [<50% energy intake]. Nine diets did not provide recommended energy from protein [12-25%]. Six diets provided more than 30% of energy from fat with five diets providing more than 10% of energy from saturated fat. One diet was proven adequate but only with improvements to be made in some areas. No diets scored high enough to be recommended for use