title: Changing micronutrient intake through (voluntary) behaviour change. The case of folate.
abstract: The objective of this study was to relate behaviour change mechanisms to nutritionally relevant behaviour and demonstrate how the different mechanisms can affect attempts to change these behaviours. Folate was used as an example to illuminate the possibilities and challenges in inducing behaviour change. The behaviours affecting folate intake were recognised and categorised. Behaviour change mechanisms from "rational model of man", behavioural economics, health psychology and social psychology were identified and aligned against folate-related behaviours. The folate example demonstrated the complexity of mechanisms influencing possible behavioural changes, even though this only targets the intake of a single micronutrient. When considering possible options to promote folate intake, the feasibility of producing the desired outcome should be related to the mechanisms of required changes in behaviour and the possible alternatives that require no or only minor changes in behaviour. Dissecting the theories provides new approaches to food-related behaviour that will aid the development of batteries of policy options when targeting nutritional problems.
authors.affiliation: MAPP Centre for Research on Customer Relations in the Food Sector, Aarhus University, Haslegaardsvej 10, 8210 Aarhus V, Denmark. bbo@asb.dk
authors.forename: Birger B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lähteenmäki
authors.forename: Klaus G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Grunert
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Lada
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Timotijevic
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: Monique M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Raats
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011582:Psychological Theory
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D005492:Folic Acid