Empowering Young Researchers: Searching for What to Say to Young People to Avoid Becoming Obese

Abstract

71 US respondents, ages 14-19, evaluated phrases about what to do to avoid overeating. The phrases were selected by two student researchers, one in middle school, one in elementary school, using artificial intelligence. The phrases were combined according an underlying experimental design, creating 24 vignettes, with each of the 71 respondents evaluating a unique set of vignettes, rating each vignette on ‘for me versus not for me’. Clustering reveal three clearly different mind-sets about what is most relevant to the respondent; Mind-Set 1 focuses on exercise, Mind-Set 2 focuses on eating healthfully, Mind-Set 3 focuses on parental responsibility. The three mind-sets emerged clearly and dramatically, even though the respondents evaluated combinations of messages, some relevant, some not relevant.