SEP and the Impact of Price on Food Selection in a Simulated Food Delivery App

Socioeconomic Position and the Effectiveness of Price Changes Based on Healthier and Less Healthy Food on Food Selection in a Simulated Out of Home Food Delivery App: a Randomised Controlled Trial

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.

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