Virtual simulations allow individuals to concretely view the future negative health consequences of present dietary choices. Integrating exemplification theory with risk communication research, the effect of using virtual simulations to exemplify the health risks of soft drink consumption was assessed across 3 weeks. A three-group pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest design (N = 62) compared the effect of three channels of delivering health risk information – base-rate statistics, picture, and virtual simulation – embedded in a digital health promotion pamphlet. Three dimensions of risk perception (perceived likelihood, susceptibility, severity), involvement with the health issue, and soft drink consumption were measured across 3 weeks. Virtual exemplars were the most effective channel for increasing perceived likelihood, perceived susceptibility, involvement, and soft drink consumption over time. Exemplification did not affect perceived severity. The paper discusses the potential of virtual exemplars as a powerful tool in designing effective health messages.

中文翻译：

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健康促进运动中的虚拟范例

虚拟模拟使个人可以具体查看当前饮食选择对未来健康的负面影响。将示范理论与风险沟通研究相结合，在3周的时间内评估了使用虚拟模拟来示范饮用软饮料对健康造成的风险的效果。三组预测试，后测试和延迟后测试设计（N = 62）比较了嵌入数字健康促进手册中提供健康风险信息的三种渠道（基本速率统计，图片和虚拟模拟）的效果。在3周内测量了风险感知的三个维度（感知的可能性，易感性，严重性），涉及健康问题和软饮料的摄入量。虚拟样例是增加感知可能性的最有效渠道，随时间推移而感觉到的易感性，参与性和软饮料的消耗量。示范并没有影响感知的严重性。本文讨论了虚拟样本作为设计有效健康信息的强大工具的潜力。