Promoting Healthy Choices: Information versus Convenience

Jessica Wisdom, Julie S. Downs and George Loewenstein

American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2010, vol. 2, issue 2, 164-78

Abstract: Success in slowing obesity trends would benefit from policies aimed at reducing calorie consumption. In a field experiment at a fast-food sandwich chain, we address the effects of providing calorie information, mimicking recent legislation, and test an alternative approach that makes ordering healthier slightly more convenient. We find that calorie information reduces calorie intake. Providing a daily calorie target does as well, but only for non-overweight individuals. Making healthy choices convenient reduces intake when the intervention is strong. However, a milder implementation reduces sandwich calories, but does not reduce total calories due to compensatory effects on side orders and drinks. (JEL I12, I18, L81)

JEL-codes: I12 I18 L81 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
Note: DOI: 10.1257/app.2.2.164
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (119)

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