Color Preferences Nudge Children's School Lunch Behaviors—Yellow Enhances Mood

The influence of color on eating behavior has been extensively documented, with considerable attention focused on tableware colors. Although color preference plays a crucial role, previous studies lack comprehensive understanding of specific context and general color preference patterns, as well as in-depth psychological mechanisms. This study undertook a rigorous investigation into the influence of color preference (Experiment 1) on children's school lunch eating behavior (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 employed the paired comparison method to assess the color preference of children aged 6-14 based on 11 basic colors, and selected 6 colors from them for Experiment 2 color guidance. Experiment 2 used an imaginary task of simulated dining to compare the differences in the impact of 6 colors on various aspects of eating behavior, and conducted further tests on the mediating effect of color emotion based on the SOR (Stimulus-Organism-Response) model. The results showed that changing tableware colors could nudge children's school lunch eating behavior. Yellow had a positive impact on emotion, showing the mediating effect of emotion. In conclusion, these findings provided insights into tableware colors for future school lunch interventions, and offered empirical validation for color-context theory.