Is Dietary Goal Failure Associated With Goal-supportive Policy Attitudes?

Sonja Grelle*, Kristian S. Nielsen, Charlotte A. Kukowski, Wilhelm Hofmann, Jan M. Bauer

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

To improve public health and promote environmental sustainability, widespread dietary changes are necessary in high-income countries. However, adopting and maintaining dietary goals is challenging and requires repeated self-regulation. Effective public policies can facilitate healthy food choices and reduce the likelihood of goal failure. This study examines the relationship between individuals’ dietary goal failures and their acceptance of public food policies, using data from an experience-sampling study (Ni = 409 and Nobs = 6,447). Regression analyses revealed that participants who experienced more frequent dietary goal failures were generally less accepting of health-promoting food policies and perceived them as less effective. Additionally, perceived policy effectiveness positively predicted policy acceptance. Exploratory analyses showed that the negative relationship between dietary goal failure and food policy acceptance varied depending on the type of intervention (pull policies vs push policies) and the location of food selections (home vs out-of-home). Notably, we found a positive relationship between dietary goal failure and acceptance of pull policies for food selections made out-of-home. These findings highlight the importance of better understanding the complex interplay between public policy attitudes, the food environment and adherence to dietary goals.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBehavioural Public Policy
Number of pages22
ISSN2398-063X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Oct 2024

Bibliographical note

Epub ahead of print. Published online: 31 October 2024.

Keywords

  • Self-control
  • Dietary goals
  • Healthy diet
  • Food policy
  • Policy acceptance

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