Behavioral Economics and Choice Architecture to Promote Nutrition

Conference Presentations

Ingerson, K., M. McDaniel, L. Hammond, H. Padilla, J. Thapa, A. Berg, G. Cox. The ‘Healthy’ Dining Hall: How Does Student Perception Influence Eating Behaviors and Perceived Healthfulness of College Dining Halls. Poster Abstract. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (poster)

Thapa J., and C. Lyford, Differential Effects of Improving Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Using Reinforcement. WERA Annual Meeting, Fort Collins, CO, June 5-7, 2016 (oral)

Thapa, J., and M. vanDellan. Lunchroom Table Talkers Talk Students into Eating Fruits and Vegetables. Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, July 31-Aug 2, 2016 (oral)

Thapa, J., M. vanDellan, S. Panda. Lunchroom Table Talkers Talk Kids into Healthy Eating. ASHEcon Sixth Biennial Conference, New Frontiers in Health Policy and Health Care, Philadelphia, PA. June 12-15, 2016 (oral)

Thapa, J., and C. Lyford. Can Lunchroom Nudges Develop Healthy Taste Buds in Elementary School Children? Institutional and Behavioral Economics Section. Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, July 27-29, 2014 (oral)

Thapa, J., and C. Lyford. Fun in the Lunch-Room: A Nudge to Develop Healthy Taste Buds. ASHEcon Fifth Biennial Conference, Health and Healthcare in America: From Economics to Policy. Los Angeles, CA, June 22-25, 2014 (oral)

Lyford, C., J. Thapa, E. Belasco, B. Pence, A. McCool, B. McCool, and T. Carter. The Effect on Supermarket Food Purchases from the point of Sale Nudges with Community Reinforcement. ASHEcon Fifth Biennial Conference, Health and Healthcare in America: From Economics to Policy. Los Angeles, CA, June 22-25, 2014 (oral)

Thapa, J., K. Ingerson, and K. Lewis. Changes in Food Choices after Tray Removal in a University Dining Hall. Selected paper at the annual meetings of the American Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, Boston, MS, July 31-August 2, 2016. (Available Here)

Peer Reviewed Publications

Thapa, K., J. Thapa., D. Hanks, J.S. Lee, and C. Zhen. Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Restriction or Fruit and Vegetable Purchase Incentive in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Participant’s Voice and Choice Behavior, J. of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition.http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4139066

Thapa J., M. vanDellen, D. Just, and S. Panda. 2020. Fun Facts About Fruits and Vegetables Can Improve Consumption. Journal of Child Nutrition and Management. Volume 44, Issue 2, 2020 https://schoolnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Fun-Facts-About-Fruits-And-Vegetables-Fall2020.pdf

vanDellan, M., J. Thapa, and J. Sevilla. 2019. Does serving vegetables in partitioned portions promote vegetable consumption? Journal of Food Quality and Preferences. 78(29) DOI:10.1016/j.foodqual.2019.103750

Thapa, J., K. Ingerson, and K. Lewis. 2018. Impact of Tray-less Dining Intervention on Food Choices of University Students. Archives of Public Health. 76:61 doi: 10.1186/s13690-018-0301-5.

Thapa, J., and C. Lyford. 2018. Nudges to Increase Fruits and Vegetable Consumption: Results from a Field Experiment. Journal of Child Nutrition and Management, Volume 42, Issue 1, Spring 2018. https://schoolnutrition.org/journal/spring-2018-nudges-to-increase-fruits-and-vegetables-consumption-results-from-a-field-experiment/

Thapa, J., A. Bennett, F. Keong, W. Palmer, T. Hardy, and J. A. Welsh. 2017. Effect of the Strong4Life School Nutrition Program on Cafeterias and Manager and Staff Knowledge and Practice, Georgia, 2015. Public Health Reports, 2017 Nov/Dec; 132(2_suppl):48S-56S. doi: 10.1177/0033354917723332

Thapa, J., and C. Lyford. 2014. Behavioral Economics in the Lunchroom: Can it Affect Food Supplier Decisions? A Systematic Review. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, Volume 17, Special issue A, 187-208 https://ifama.org/resources/Documents/v17ia/Thapa-Lyford.pdf

Lindke, A. and J. Thapa. 2020. Collaboration between STEM and Nutrition Program to Provide Unique Learning Experiences for Students at Georgia Elementary Schools. https://healthy-food-choices-in-schools.extension.org/collaboration-between-stem-and-nutrition-program-to-provide-unique-learning-experiences-for-students-at-georgia-elementary-schools/

Thapa, J., and C. Lyford. 2018. Nudges using Inexpensive Toys and Stickers Proven Effective in Promoting Selection and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables (F/V) in Elementary School Lunchrooms. Healthy Food Choices in School, Cooperative Extension System, September 7, 2018.https://articles.extension.org/pages/74717/nudges-using-inexpensive-toys-and-stickers- proven-effective-in-promoting-selection-and-consumption-o

Thapa, J. 2018. Pediatric Clinical Care Provider and School Nutrition Professional Team Up for Smarter Lunchroom Movement in Georgia. Healthy Food Choices in School, Cooperative Extension System, February 19, 2018. https://healthy-food-choices-in-schools.extension.org/pediatric-clinical-care-provider-and-school-nutrition-professionals-team-up-for-smarter-lunchroom-movement-in-georgia/

Thapa, J., and C. Lyford. 2014. New Developments for School Food Suppliers to Encourage Healthy Eating: Behavioral Economics. Healthy Food Choices in School, Cooperative Extension System, October 7, 2014. https://healthy-food-choices-in-schools.extension.org/new-developments-for-school-food-suppliers-to-encourage-healthy-eating-behavioral-economics/

Earned Media

Partitioning vegetables can increase consumption

UGA researchers use modeling to help rural communities eat more fruits, veggies

Toys motivate children to eat a healthier diet

https://www.wsbradio.com/news/local/toys-make-eating-fun/peygAJu0dplI4Nn9JLTpAO/

Toys motivate children to eat a healthy diet