Universität zu Köln

Dawson, Ian G. J. and Dohle, Simone ORCID: 0000-0003-1535-5464 (2016). Towards an understanding of adult judgments of synergistic health benefits. Br. J. Health Psychol., 21 (1). S. 204 - 224. HOBOKEN: WILEY. ISSN 2044-8287

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Abstract

ObjectiveNumerous scientific studies show that certain combinations of dietary and/or lifestyle factors produce health benefits which are greater than the sum of the benefits associated with each factor alone. To address an existing knowledge gap, we assessed the extent to which individuals understand that certain combinations present these synergistic health benefits'. DesignHealth benefit judgments were obtained from lay adults for a range of dietary and/or lifestyle combinations that have been found to present synergistic benefits. Association between these judgments and socio-cognitive characteristics such as numeracy, education, and health interest (HI) were examined. MethodsThree hundred and fifty-two Swiss adults were presented with a description of one of eight synergistically beneficial combinations. Each participant provided a categorical benefit judgment (i.e., subadditive, additive, or synergistic) for the combination and explained the cognitive reasoning underlying their judgment. Participants completed measures of numeracy and HI. ResultsThe proportion of combinations judged to present a synergistic benefit was modest for macro-level' combinations (e.g., diet and exercise), but low for micro-level' combinations (e.g., two phytochemicals). Cognitive reasoning data showed that a higher proportion of judgments for micro-level (cf. macro-level) combinations were based on greater subjective epistemic uncertainty. Higher interest in health was associated with a better understanding of synergistic benefits, but numeracy and education level were not. ConclusionsThere is considerable scope to improve the extent to which lay adults understand that specific combination of diet and lifestyle behaviours can synergistically benefit their health. Our results enable us to make informed recommendations for public health interventions.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Dawson, Ian G. J. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Dohle, Simone UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0003-1535-5464 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-286749
DOI:	10.1111/bjhp.12158
Journal or Publication Title:	Br. J. Health Psychol.
Volume:	21
Number:	1
Page Range:	S. 204 - 224
Date:	2016
Publisher:	WILEY
Place of Publication:	HOBOKEN
ISSN:	2044-8287
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY; RISK; PERCEPTIONS; BEHAVIORS; NUMERACY; FRUIT; PHYTOCHEMICALS; INFORMATION; CATECHIN; BROCCOLI Multiple languages Psychology, Clinical Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/28674