Naughty but nice: a laboratory study of health information and food preferences in a community sample

Health Psychol. 1994 Mar;13(2):180-3. doi: 10.1037//0278-6133.13.2.180.

Abstract

The influence of information about the fat content of food and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention on taste ratings and food intake in a test meal was examined. Forty Ss were allocated at random to CVD information or control conditions. Ss rated 2 brands of yogurt and 2 cheese sandwiches, with 1 flavor of each food labeled full-fat and the other low-fat. In fact, fat levels were identical, and the label-flavor pairings were counterbalanced. Overall, Ss gave lower liking ratings to the low-fat labeled foods. However, Ss in the information condition tended to eat a smaller proportion of the full-fat sandwiches. The results supported the utility of a laboratory setting for evaluating the influence of health-relevant information on responses to food.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / prevention & control
  • Eating
  • Energy Intake
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Food Preferences*
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged