TAPPER ET AL (AIMS, MAIN CONTEXT) Flashcards
(17 cards)
What was the aim of Tapper et al (2003)?
To increase the levels of fruit and vegetable consumption in 5-6 y/o by using role models called the ‘Food Dudes’ in schools.
Main context- Why is there a need to increase levels of fruit and vegtable consumption in children in the UK?
- UK Department of Health (2000): UK survey found that 4 to 6 year olds eat an average of only 2 portions of fruits and vegetables per day (less than the average recommended amount)
- Problematic? Krebs-Smith et al (1995)- one of the strongest predictors of adults eating fruits and veggies is the extent to which they ate them in childhood.
Main context- Have their been previous attempts to increase levels of fruit and vegtable consumption in children?
- Contero et al (1991)- previous attempts involved informing children + parents what children should be eating, with the hope that they will follow this advice. However, evidence shows this method has limited sucess.
- Bangor Food Research Unit-introduced 3 method aimed to change children’s eating habits: Taste exposure, modelling, rewards.
Bangor Food Research unit- what is the taste exposure method? and how is it used to encourage children to change their eating habits?
- Encouraging a child to keep trying a new food (which may result in the child eventually learning to like the food due to repeated exposure)
Bangor Food Research- What is the modelling method? How is used to get children to change habits?
Ensuring that the child observes one model (who they like and admire, slightly the same age or slightly older ) performing the desired behavior. (has shown to affect a child’s food preference and eating patterns)
Bangor Food Research Unit (BFR) - What is the rewards method? Why might it have a limited affect?
- Rewards- rewarding the child everytime they perform the desired behaviour (eating fruits/veggies).
- Limited effect- reduces the intrinistic motivation for performing the behaviour (the child dosen’t perform the behaviour because its intrinscly rewarding but because they expect an ‘actual’ reward- remove the reward and the stop doing it-Deci et al 1999
What method did Tapper et al (2003) use?
- Pilot studies in 2 primary schools in Dubline (one school was the experimental group and the other the control)
How much ppts were in the sample?
- 435 children
- 5-6 y/o - characterised as fussy eaters who rarely fruits and vegetables.
What measures were used?
- Peer modelling videos, rewards and home packs for the parents.
How long did the intervention last?
16 day intervention (the following 8 days—there was no intervention). 12 month follow up
Summarise the procedure?
There were 4 procedures were used (first for fruit and then veggies)
1. Presentation only- fruits and veggies only presented to the child.
2. Rewarded taste exposure- children were encouraged to tase the food- once they tasted they recieved a reward (operant conditioning)
3. **Peer modelling- **Children watched videos of the “Food Dudes”,
4. Peer modelling and reward- After watching, children were encouraged to taste the food and received rewards if they did.
What are the ‘Food Dudes’?
Children watched videos of the “Food Dudes”, older children who gained superpowers by eating fruits and vegetables.
These heroes fought off villains called “The Junk Punks”, who wanted to destroy healthy food and take over the world.
What were the results for the combined peer modelling and rewards?
Fruit consumption: Increased to 100%
Vegetable consumption: Increased to 83%
This combo (watching Food Dudes + getting rewards for tasting) was the most effective strategy.
What was the results for peer-modelling only (no rewards)?
Had a minimal effect
What was the long-term results of the study? (after 6 months)?
Even though rewards and videos had stopped, children:
Still ate 100% of fruits offered
Still ate 83% of vegetables
This shows the behavior stuck — the changes were sustained over time.
Name 1 strength and 1 weakness of the study?
Strength (ecological validity)- conducted in the naturalistic enviroment of the school. Food dudes as role models enhanced mundane realism as children often imitate admired figures (relevant to everyday life)
Weakness (short-term scope)- While there was a 6-month follow-up, it’s still relatively short-term in the context of lifelong eating habits (novelty effect)
What is the novelty effect?
the tendency for people to show a stronger initial response, often positive, to something new or unfamiliar, which tends to diminish over time as it becomes familiar.
