Effect of source on trust of pulse nutrition information and perceived likelihood of following dietary guidance.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine how information source (control-no source, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), fictitious hospital, or fictitious social media) impacts perceptions of diet information.

Methods and measures: Participants (N = 537) completed an online survey in which they viewed one flyer containing dietary information and guidance on consuming pulses. The purported source of the flyer information was manipulated to create the 4 conditions. Participants rated the flyer in terms of perceived accuracy, trustworthiness, reliability, desirability for learning more from the source, and likelihood of following the advice. Attitudes, perceived control and norms, and past behavior were used to measure components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).

Results: ANOVA results indicated that the USDA and hospital sources were perceived as more accurate, trustworthy, reliable, and more desirable to learn more from relative to control and social media. There were no differences in likelihood of following guidance depending on source. Multiple regression showed that measures of the TPB were predictors of likelihood of following advice.

Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that trust in the source of information does not influence perceived likelihood of following dietary recommendations for pulses.