Regulatory focus and junk food avoidance: The influence of health consciousness, perceived risk and message framing.

The purpose of this research is to examine: (1) the health-related factors namely perceived health consciousness and perceived risk that motivate a person's intention to avoid junk food consumption, and (2) the influence of regulatory focus (promotion vs prevention foci) on a person's intention to avoid junk food consumption under the conditions of gain-framing vs loss-framing health communication and messages. A set of hypotheses are tested across three studies. Study 1 (n = 148) shows that regulatory focus influences the consumers' intention to avoid junk food. Also, health consciousness mediates the relationship between regulatory focus and junk food avoidance intention. Study 2 (n = 132) finds that perceived risk amplifies the relationship between regulatory focus and health consciousness. Study 3 (n = 168) demonstrates that message framing combined with the appropriate regulatory focus positively influences the consumers' intention to avoid junk food. The findings validate and extend the current theoretical framework in relation to unhealthy eating behaviours (e.g., junk food consumption). Based on the findings of this research, the practitioners can utilise the correct type of health information or claims for the appropriate consumer segment (whether prevention or promotion foci) to effectively implement campaigns and programs.

Drivers and barriers toward reducing meat consumption.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the consumers' attitude and intention toward reducing meat consumption. In exploring such, the influence of social norm, perceived benefits, perceived barrier and environmental concern are examined. A self-administered online survey was employed for data collection. A sample of 298 Australians was analysed through structural equation modelling with SPSS AMOS 25. Social norm, perceived benefits and barriers as well as environmental concerns had significant impact on the consumers' attitude toward reducing meat consumption. The findings of this paper validate and extend the theoretical framework on dietary behaviour change in particular one that involves reducing the consumption of meat. The findings provide valuable insights to food producers and the food industry, as well as health professionals as it highlights the linkages between meat consumption reduction and a broad array of motivations such as health and care for the environment. The study provides insights into the motivations of individuals to limit their meat consumption. More importantly, it also systematically examines the perceived benefits and barriers of meat consumption thus shedding insights on the opportunities for dietary behaviour change and public health.

Critical success factors of public health sponsorship in Australia.

Public health sponsorship is a unique phenomenon in Australia. The current research examines the critical success factors of Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation's (Healthway) sponsorship program, Australia's largest public health sponsorship program. Using stakeholder interviews and expert observational studies, two studies present five key success factors: (i) effective segmentation and targeting of health messages; (ii) collaboration between Healthway and partnering organization to leverage sponsored events; (iii) displacement of unhealth sponsorship; (iv) use of leveraging strategies to raise awareness of health messages; and (v) environmental changes that facilitate behavioural change. The current research provides insights into how and why sponsorship is an effective public health promotion tool.