Thursday 7 November 2013, 2.00PM to 3.15pm
Speaker(s): Michele Belot, Professor, School of Economics, University of Edinburgh
Abstract: We conduct a field experiment in 31 primary schools in England to test whether temporary incentives are effective in increasing children's choice and consumption of fruit and vegetables. The intervention consists of rewarding children with stickers and little gifts for a period of four weeks for choosing a portion of fruit or vegetables at lunch. We compare the effects of two incentive schemes (piece rate and competition) on choice and consumption over the course of the intervention. We also examine the effect of the interventions immediately after the incentives are re- moved and six months later to see if the temporary incentives had any lasting effect on dietary choices. We find that the two interventions, in general, had positive effects on choice and consumption and that the competition works better overall. However, we find that the treatment effects vary dramatically by age, gender and socio-economic background. We find little evidence of sustained long term effects, except for children from poorer socio-economic backgrounds.
Location: ARRC Auditorium A/RC/014
Who to contact
For more information on these seminars, contact:
Adrian Villasenor
Adrian Villasenor-Lopez
Dacheng Huo
Dacheng Huo
If you are not a member of University of York staff and are interested in attending the seminar, please contact Adrian Villasenor-Lopez or Dacheng Huo so that we can ensure we have sufficient space
CHE Seminar Programme
- Thursday 12 January 2017
Jon Sussex, Chief Economist, RAND Europe- Thursday 9 February 2017
Richard Murray, Kings Fund