Influencing adolescents' beverage choices: An experimental study on the role of autonomy support and the availability of healthier options

This experimental study explored how autonomy support (induced through an educational workshop at school) and increased availability of healthier beverages influenced adolescents’ healthier beverage choices. In addition, the study examined the potential moderating effects of adolescents’ autonomous motivation to drink water and their willingness to choose healthier beverages. A 2x2 between-subjects design was used, manipulating the presence of an autonomy-supportive workshop about healthier beverages and increased availability of healthier beverages. Adolescents could select two beverages from an assortment with a total of six beverage options. If availability of healthier beverages was increased, four beverages were healthier, compared to three in the baseline condition. Participants were 323 adolescents between 12 and 16 years old (M = 13.69, SD = .87) from five secondary Dutch schools, attending pre-vocational level (61.3%) or practical training (38.7%). Results showed that adolescents were less likely to choose healthier beverages when the workshop was provided without increased availability of healthier beverage options. When the availability of healthier options was increased, adolescents were more likely to choose two healthier beverages versus zero or one, regardless of workshop participation. No support was found for moderating influences of autonomous motivation to drink water and willingness to choose healthier beverages. Findings of the study suggest that an autonomy-supportive approach may not effectively promote healthier beverage choices without increased availability of healthier options. Providing assortments with greater availability of healthier beverages could encourage healthier beverage choices among adolescents.