Smarter Lunchroom Solutions

Obesity rates among children are rising, and school lunch programs are often to blame. Behavioral economics is an emerging field that allows schools to improve the nutritional quality of students’ lunches with minimal effort, without compromising the school’s finances.

When Nudging in the Lunch Line Might be a Good Thing
Skillful application of behavioral economic theory may be able to help schoolchildren make healthier food choices.

Consequences of Belonging to the ‘Clean Plate Club’
How does encouraging a child to “clean” his or her plate influence eating behavior away from home? We hypothesize that children who are encouraged by parents to clean their plates are more likely to request more food when away from home.

Could Behavioral Economics Help Improve Diet Quality for Nutrition Assistance Program Participants?
You might have debit cards or pin numbers in your cafeteria, but if you make people pay hard–earned cash for your less healthy items, like desserts or soft drinks, they eat less and they instead buy healthier fair.

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