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The efficacy of nudge theory strategies in influencing adult dietary behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic, notably affecting countries with developing economies. Current interventions often lack sustainability due to high costs, highlighting the necessity for innovative management strategies. Nudge Theory introduces a range of low-cost methods, termed ‘nudges‘, aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyle choices without imposing restrictive regulations. Despite the growing interest from policymakers, there has been a dearth of large-scale evaluations regarding the effectiveness of nudges. To address this gap, a systematic review was conducted, compiling and analyzing results from existing Nudge studies to assess their impact on dietary choices among adults. The findings indicate that nudges lead to an average increase of 15.3% in healthier dietary selections, as evidenced by modifications in the frequency of healthy choices and overall caloric intake. Notably, all studies included in the review originated from affluent nations, predominantly the United States, which accounted for 31 out of 42 experiments. This analysis suggests that the Nudge Theory has significant potential as a public health strategy for mitigating obesity. However, further research is warranted in diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts to validate and extend these findings. [NPID: Nudges, dietary choices, obesity, lifestyle, behavior]
Year: 2016
