Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Motivational Strategies For Improving Healthy Eating Habits: A Thematic Analysis Of A Myplate Twitter Campaign, Md Jamal Uddin

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examined the #MyPlateMyWins Twitter campaign from ChooseMyPlate.gov to understand the motivational strategies used to influence people to change their eating habits. Although studies have explored healthy diet promotion in a variety of contexts, researchers have been slower to explore how Twitter is used in this regard. Applying Uses and Gratification (U&G) theory and using a thematic analysis, this paper found three major strategies used by the campaign: Starting with small changes in health behavior; being a healthy eating role model for kids; and, remaining physically active. These findings should be helpful for organizations or individuals to design effective …