A role for enjoyment for encouraging fruit consumption

This work investigated the value of highlighting the enjoyment conferred by fruit for encouraging fruit con-sumption. Study 1 investigated the effects on fruit consumption of visualizing eating fruit that was either enjoyable, not enjoyable, or was unassociated with enjoyment. Study 2 investigated the effects on fruit con-sumption of health promotion posters that featured either enjoyable or less enjoyable fruit. Both studies used an independent-groups design, where young adults (Study 1, N = 142; Study 2, N = 221) were randomized to conditions, and outcomes: intentions to consume fruit, attitudes towards fruit, immediate fruit selection, sub-sequent fruit consumption; and a range of characteristics likely to be associated with fruit and vegetable con-sumption were assessed. In Study 1, higher intentions to consume fruit and more positive attitudes towards fruit were associated with higher likely enjoyment of the fruit visualized, higher fruit liking in general and higher fruit-related self-efficacy (smallest Beta = 0.270, p = 0.02). In Study 2, similar effects were found for likely enjoyment of the fruit featured on a poster; higher likely enjoyment also predicted greater immediate fruit se-lection (smallest Beta = 0.122, p = 0.03). These outcomes were also associated with variables often associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Subsequent fruit consumption was only associated with past fruit con-sumption (smallest Beta = 0.340, p = 0.05). These two studies (Study 1 using visualisation, Study 2 using health promotion posters) highlight a role for enjoyment for encouraging fruit consumption. The value of enjoyment and the simplicity of the poster intervention particularly should be noted.

Automated summary

This study investigated the value of emphasizing enjoyment for promoting fruit consumption. Study 1 visualized enjoyable, not enjoyable, and unassociated fruit to examine their effects on fruit consumption, while Study 2 used health promotion posters featuring enjoyable or less enjoyable fruit. Both studies employed independent-group designs and assessed various outcomes related to fruit consumption. The results revealed that higher intentions and more positive attitudes towards fruit were associated with greater likely enjoyment of visualized fruit, overall fruit liking, and fruit-related self-efficacy. Similarly, higher likely enjoyment of fruit featured on a poster predicted greater immediate fruit selection. These findings highlight the role of enjoyment in encouraging fruit consumption, emphasizing the value of enjoyment and the simplicity of using posters as an intervention.