An "optimal default" refers to a pre-selected default option that promotes an outcome intended to be favorable to the individual and/or society at large. Optimal defaults preserve the decision-maker's ability to opt-out of the default and choose an alternative option. This behavioral economics strategy has been shown to nudge both child and adult consumers toward healthier food selections. Full-service restaurants with children's menus are key settings for implementing this approach. The current field study manipulated children's menus at two theme park restaurants, testing the effects of three different item presentations (i.e., lower-energy-dense default, standard fare default, and free array menus). Each menu was presented to consumers for 1 week at a time, in random order. Full choice was preserved with all menu options appearing across conditions, with non-default items listed as available upon request. The restaurants tracked food orders during each of the three weeks. Results showed that positioning lower-energy-dense foods as default menu choices increased the likelihood of lower-energy-dense menu selections and decreased the likelihood that customers would "opt-out" for standard fare. There were also significant differences in total caloric value of food ordered across conditions, with the optimal default menu condition promoting the lowest potential energy intake. This study further supports the effectiveness of optimal defaults to increase healthy food choices for children.

中文翻译：

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最佳默认值作为改进全方位服务主题公园餐饮中儿童菜单选择的策略

“最佳默认”是指预先选择的默认选项，其促进旨在有利于个人和/或整个社会的结果。最佳默认值保留了决策者选择退出默认值并选择替代选项的能力。这种行为经济学策略已被证明可以促使儿童和成人消费者选择更健康的食物。提供儿童菜单的全方位服务餐厅是实施这种方法的关键设置。当前的实地研究对两家主题公园餐厅的儿童菜单进行了操作，测试了三种不同项目展示的效果（即，低能量密度默认、标准票价默认和自由排列菜单）。每个菜单以随机顺序一次呈现给消费者 1 周。保留了完整的选择，所有菜单选项都出现在不同的条件下，非默认项目应要求列为可用。餐厅在三周内的每一周都跟踪食品订单。结果表明，将低能量密度食物定位为默认菜单选项会增加选择低能量密度菜单的可能性，并降低客户“选择退出”标准票价的可能性。不同条件下订购的食物的总热量值也存在显着差异，最佳默认菜单条件促进最低的潜在能量摄入。这项研究进一步支持了最佳默认设置对增加儿童健康食物选择的有效性。餐厅在三周内的每一周都跟踪食品订单。结果表明，将低能量密度食物定位为默认菜单选项会增加选择低能量密度菜单的可能性，并降低客户“选择退出”标准票价的可能性。不同条件下订购的食物的总热量值也存在显着差异，最佳默认菜单条件促进最低的潜在能量摄入。这项研究进一步支持了最佳默认设置对增加儿童健康食物选择的有效性。餐厅在三周内的每一周都跟踪食品订单。结果表明，将低能量密度食物定位为默认菜单选项会增加选择低能量密度菜单的可能性，并降低客户“选择退出”标准票价的可能性。不同条件下订购的食物的总热量值也存在显着差异，最佳默认菜单条件促进最低的潜在能量摄入。这项研究进一步支持了最佳默认设置对增加儿童健康食物选择的有效性。不同条件下订购的食物的总热量值也存在显着差异，最佳默认菜单条件促进最低的潜在能量摄入。这项研究进一步支持了最佳默认设置对增加儿童健康食物选择的有效性。不同条件下订购的食物的总热量值也存在显着差异，最佳默认菜单条件促进最低的潜在能量摄入。这项研究进一步支持了最佳默认设置对增加儿童健康食物选择的有效性。