Eating Behavior, Food Selection, Healthy Eating
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to compare taxation with subsidies to encourage healthier food choices in the out-of-home food sector. Participants will be asked to make hypothetical food choices in an online simulation study of a delivery app. Participants will be randomised into four different intervention groups: 1. Price reduction (10%) on healthier foods 2. Price increase (10%) to less healthy foods 3. A combination of price reduction to healthier foods and price increase to less healthy foods 4. Existing price structure (i.e. control group) The investigators will further examine effectiveness of these fiscal policies on healthy eating by socioeconomic position to understand whether these policies are equitable.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPrice reduction on healthier foods
Price reduction (10%) on healthier foods based on the UK NPM
BEHAVIORALPrice increase to less healthy foods
Price increase (10%) on less healthy foods based on the UK NPM
BEHAVIORALCombination of price reduction on healthier foods and price increase on less healthy foods
Combination of price reduction (10%) on healthier foods based on the UK NPM and price increase (10%) on less healthy foods based on the UK NPM
BEHAVIORALControl
Existing price structure
Sponsors
University of Liverpool
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Masking description
This study will be double-blinded, which means that both the participants and the researchers are not aware in which treatment group participants are assigned to.
Intervention model description
The design is a randomised controlled trial, with 4 (interventions) x 2 (high vs low SEP) between-subject conditions.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Currently reside in the United Kingdom * Over the age of 18 years * Order take-away food for delivery at least once a month * Can complete the study on a laptop or desktop
Exclusion criteria
* Any major dietary restrictions (vegan, dairy/lactose-free, gluten-free) or allergies (dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, wheat) that would limit the number of dishes they could choose in the meal selection task
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Healthier vs less healthy main meals ordered based on the Nutrient Profiling Model and total energy (kcal) | immediately after food choice | Healthier vs less healthy main meals ordered |
| Total energy (kcal) ordered | immediately after food choice | The total energy content of the total hypothetical food order |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of selecting healthier vs less healthy meal items of the total food order based on the Nutrient Profiling Model and total energy (kcal) | immediately after food choice | Proportion of selecting healthier vs less healthy meal items of the total hypothetical food order |
| Total fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar ordered | immediately after food choice | Total fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar of total hypothetical food order |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed