Framing of nutrition education messages in persuading consumers of the advantages of a healthy diet.
BACKGROUND
Educational dietary messages can stress either the positive consequences of performing a recommended dietary behaviour (positive frame) or the negative consequences of not performing a recommended dietary behaviour (negative frame). From studies on other health behaviours, there is evidence that positive frames have a stronger impact in encouraging preventive behaviours than negative frames. The main hypothesis of the present study was therefore that positively framed messages on eating a low-fat diet and eating enough fruit and vegetables (F & V) are more persuasive than negatively framed messages.


METHODS
In a 2 (Frame: positive vs. negative) x 2 (Dietary behaviour: fat vs. F & V) design, 152 adult respondents randomly received one of four messages. Subsequently, they completed a questionnaire measuring cognitive attitude, affective attitude and intention to change the dietary behaviours.


RESULTS
No significant differences in attitudes and intentions were found between the positive frame conditions and the negative frame conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the current study no advice can be given yet to dietitians and other nutrition educators about whether they should emphasize the positive consequences of a dietary change or the negative consequences of not making the dietary change.
van Assema
P
P
Department of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiteit Maastricht, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. p.vanassema@gvo.unimaas.nl
Martens
M
M
Ruiter
R A
RA
Brug
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D011897:Random Allocation