Abstract Summary
Public support for banning outdoor (commercial) food cues: a mobile app study Tamika M. Wopereis (1), Sanne Djojosoeparto (1), Emely de Vet (2), Frédérique Rongen (1), Maartje P. Poelman (1) (1) Wageningen University, the Netherlands (2) Tilburg University, the Netherlands Background and aims: Unhealthy (commercial) food cues in outdoor public spaces stimulate unhealthy diets. This quantitative study aimed to assess food cues noticed by citizens in outdoor public spaces, citizens’ perception of food cues’ effects on food choices, and their acceptability. Description and recommendations: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a smartphone application (‘MyFoodEnvironment’), which participants (n=103) used to photograph food cues in their neighbourhood. They took 590 photographs in total. Preliminary findings indicate that the majority of food cues included unhealthy food. The food cues were mainly issued by quick-service restaurants, specialty stores, and supermarkets. They were mostly located near a shop, a restaurant, or along the road. Participants most often reported that food cues influenced the food choices of others (41.3%) compared to their own (17.7%). The majority of photographed food cues (78.1%) were considered acceptable, and participants expressed their opposition to governmental restrictions aimed at banning these cues, despite the vast majority being evaluated as unhealthy (68.2%). For 35.5% of the food cues, participants thought banning cues would not affect food choices, and for 30%, participants thought it would favour healthy food choices. Health professionals and scientists argue for banning unhealthy food marketing to support healthy diets, but this study shows that this is inconsistent with citizens’ preferences. Citizen engagement is recommended to understand how effective and acceptable policies can be developed that create environments supportive of healthy nutrition. Significance: These findings may enable policymakers to develop policies that create healthy food environments, while maintaining public support.
