Effects of social modeling on young women's nutrient-dense food intake.
We examined whether a same-sex peer's vegetable consumption would predict the number of vegetable pieces eaten by the participant. A total of 116 Dutch women (M age = 20.28; M BMI = 21.68) participated. Their nutrient-dense food intake was measured during a 15-min break between two tasks, consisting of rating television advertisements. Participants consumed more vegetables when exposed to a peer eating a large number of vegetables than when exposed to a peer eating a small number or nothing. These findings suggest that social modeling processes may be relevant to interventions aimed at encouraging young women's nutrient-dense food intake.
Hermans
Roel C J
RC
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.hermans@pwo.ru.nl
Larsen
Junilla K
JK
Herman
C Peter
CP
Engels
Rutger C M E
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010379:Peer Group; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D014675:Vegetables