Comparative optimism about healthy eating

Sproesser, Gudrun; Klusmann-Weißkopf, Verena; Schupp, Harald T.; Renner, Britta

Comparative optimism about healthy eating

Files

Sproesser_0-286836.pdf(159.24 KB)

Date

2015

Publication type

Journal article

Published in

Appetite ; 90 (2015). - pp. 212-218. - ISSN 0195-6663. - eISSN 1095-8304

Abstract

The present study investigated people's perception of their own as compared to their peers' healthy eating and related these perceptions to actual healthy eating, BMI, and subsequent healthy eating behavior. Data were collected within the framework of the longitudinal cohort study Konstanz Life Study (T1: N = 770; T2: N = 510). Our results demonstrated an optimistic bias on the group level. Specifically, people rated their own eating behavior as healthier on average than that of their average peers. This comparative optimism occurred even when actual healthy eating was unfavorable and BMI was high. However, it increased with actual healthy eating behavior. Importantly, optimistic perceptions were positively related to the intention to eat healthily and healthy eating six months later. Hence, the results suggest that an optimistic comparative view of one's own healthy eating is grounded in reality and boosts rather than deters subsequent health behavior. This implies that there might not be a need to reduce optimistic perceptions of healthy eating behavior.

Subject (DDC)

150 Psychology

Keywords

Healthy eating; Perceived healthiness; BMI; Intention; Unrealistic optimism; Self-perception

Cite This

ISO 690

SPROESSER, Gudrun, Verena KLUSMANN-WEISSKOPF, Harald T. SCHUPP, Britta RENNER, 2015. Comparative optimism about healthy eating. In: Appetite. 90, pp. 212-218. ISSN 0195-6663. eISSN 1095-8304. Available under: doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.03.008

BibTex

@article{Sproesser2015Compa-30899,
  year={2015},
  doi={10.1016/j.appet.2015.03.008},
  title={Comparative optimism about healthy eating},
  url={http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666315001026},
  volume={90},
  issn={0195-6663},
  journal={Appetite},
  pages={212--218},
  author={Sproesser, Gudrun and Klusmann-Weißkopf, Verena and Schupp, Harald T. and Renner, Britta}
}

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URL of original publication

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666315001026

Test date of URL

2015-05-07

Bibliography of Konstanz

Yes