Higher-Level Health Habits: MyPlate Guidelines

Abstract

<p>This study investigates the development of a higher-level health habit to eat dinner meals according to the MyPlate Guidelines published by the USDA (2010). The behavior of focus is aiming to fill half of your dinner plate with fruits and vegetables. Participants completed baseline, mid-study and final surveys, all measuring constructs related to habit formation. During a three-week period post baseline, participants were asked to send in images of their dinner plate three days per week. Results from the study conclude there was a significant main effect for the higher-level habit intervention. Individuals in the intervention group saw a significant mean difference in habit strength, from baseline to final survey, than those in a control group, who received limited information about MyPlate Guidelines. This research aims to better understand the formation and sustainability of higher-level health habits, helping people establish healthier lifestyles.</p>