Gist-based design of graphics to reduce caffeine consumption among adolescents

Abstract

Background: Health message design plays an important role in knowledge acquisition and changes in attitudes towards a nutrient or substance, such as caffeine. To foster the effectiveness of health education, greater attention should be paid to the gist-based design of health messages that include visual representations. Fuzzy-trace theory indicates that gist knowledge can be influential in decision-making about health and medical problems. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of different graphic types (i.e. gist, verbatim and decoration) on knowledge of gist and verbatim messages, which may in turn influence attitudes and intentions towards caffeine control. Method: Middle school students (n = 315) in South Korea individually studied reading materials on caffeine under three research conditions with respect to graphic types. Results: This study found an interaction effect between sex and graphic types when it came to student perceptions of gist representation and the visual design of graphics. Graphic types also significantly influenced gist knowledge but not verbatim knowledge. Gist and verbatim graphics were more effective in acquiring gist knowledge about caffeine control than decorative graphics. In addition, gist knowledge significantly influenced attitudes and intentions towards caffeine control. Conclusion: The main finding of this study is the importance of acquiring gist knowledge from health messages, which can be enhanced through the effective use of visual representations.