Nudging at the checkout counter - A longitudinal study of the effect of a food repositioning nudge on healthy food choice.

Objective The current study is a longitudinal conceptual replication and aimed to investigate the effect of a food repositioning nudge on healthy food choice in a kiosk. Design During eight weeks, sales data were collected. The former four weeks formed the baseline phase and the latter four weeks formed the nudge phase where healthy food products were repositioned at the checkout counter display, while unhealthy alternatives remained available elsewhere in the store. Main Outcome Measures The main variable of interest was the proportion of healthy food products (selected to be repositioned) sold per day. Also exit interviews were administered to gather individual level data about purchases, and awareness and opinions of the nudge. Results Results showed that the proportion of selected healthy food products in total food sales was higher in all four nudge weeks than in all four baseline weeks. Individual level data showed that more customers had bought a selected healthy food product in the nudge phase and that customers generally approved of the nudge. Conclusion The current study strengthened the empirical evidence base of repositioning healthy food products as an effective and well-accepted nudge.

Boosters, anyone? Exploring the added value of booster sessions in a self-management intervention.

The current study explored the benefits of adding booster sessions to a validated and successful self-management intervention for type 2 diabetes patients (i.e. Beyond Good Intentions). Although the addition of booster sessions to self-management interventions is often recommended, it has not been empirically established to what extent booster sessions are in fact appreciated by participants. Participants in the current study (N = 129) followed the Beyond Good Intentions program and were offered a series of three booster sessions at 1, 3 and 5 months afterwards. Primary outcome variables included participants' attendance and evaluations of the booster phase. In addition, self-management behavior was assessed at baseline (T1), after the initial phase (T2) and after the booster phase (T3). Results showed that more than one-fourth of participants who completed the initial phase dropped out during the booster phase, and those who did complete both phases evaluated the booster phase significantly less positive as compared to the initial phase. With regard to the behavioral outcomes, we replicated previous findings showing positive effects on all measures during the initial phase. The booster phase, however, did not result in further improvements. It was concluded that the added value of booster sessions was, at best, questionable.