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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
3,464
Price reduction (10%) on healthier foods based on the UK NPM
Price increase (10%) on less healthy foods based on the UK NPM
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
Existing price structure
University of Liverpool
Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Healthier vs less healthy main meals ordered based on the Nutrient Profiling Model and total energy (kcal)
Healthier vs less healthy main meals ordered
Time frame: immediately after food choice
Total energy (kcal) ordered
The total energy content of the total hypothetical food order
Time frame: immediately after food choice
Proportion of selecting healthier vs less healthy meal items of the total food order based on the Nutrient Profiling Model and total energy (kcal)
Proportion of selecting healthier vs less healthy meal items of the total hypothetical food order
Time frame: immediately after food choice
Total fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar ordered
Total fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar of total hypothetical food order
Time frame: immediately after food choice
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