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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04186533

A Default Option for Health: Improving Nutrition Within the Financial and Geographic Constraints of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is associated with an increased risk of obesity. The availability of a default option (i.e., option a consumer selects if no active choice is made) has been shown to effectively nudge consumer behavior. An online default option (i.e., prefilled grocery shopping cart) was previously shown to positively impact the food purchases of individuals with food insecurity.The present study aims to extend these findings bye examining efficacy of an online default option in enhancing the nutritional quality of online grocery purchases in individuals with food insecurity over the course of a month.

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Key information

Conditions

Food Selection Behavior Body Weight Feeding Behavior Food Preferences Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University at Albany, SUNY

Albany, New York, 12222, United States

About this study

Food insecurity is associated with an increased risk of obesity and weight-related illnesses. The present study is the first longitudinal randomized control trial to examine if an online prefilled grocery shopping cart (i.e., a default cart) nudges individuals with food insecurity to purchase healthier groceries compared to receiving nutrition education.

It was hypothesized that the prefilled online grocery shopping cart (i.e., default condition) will result in a significant improvement in the nutritional quality of groceries purchased compared to those receiving nutrition education.

Thirty-eight food pantry users recruited from food pantries in New York in 2018 were enrolled in the present study and were given $48.50 to purchase groceries weekly using an online grocery website for five weeks. At baseline, participants were instructed to purchase groceries keeping in mind nutrition, cost, and taste. For the subsequent four weeks (T1-T4), participants were randomized to receive 1) nutrition education or 2) a prefilled online grocery shopping cart that met their nutritional needs based on age and sex (Default).

Our primary nutritional outcomes included HEI scores, calories (kcal), and energy density (kcal/grams).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • At least 18 years old
  • Residing in a single person household
  • Receiving assistance at a food pantry
  • Able to read and write in English
  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Current residence in a zip code served by Price Chopper's delivery program
  • None of the following dietary restrictions: Vegetarian/vegan, Gluten-free/celiacs, Lactose intolerance, egg allergy

Treatment and study plan

Default Option

Behavioral

The default option is a behavioral economics construct that refers to the option a consumer selects if no active choice is made (e.g. opt-out 401K plans, which significantly increase enrollment, compared to active sign up). Participants in the default condition were presented with a prefilled online shopping cart containing groceries that met nutritional requirements based on participants' gender and age.

Nutrition Education

Behavioral

The nutrition education materials were adapted from materials currently utilized by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program

Primary outcomes

  1. Healthy Eating Index Score

    Time frame: 1 month

    (score ranging from 0-100

  2. Calories

    Time frame: 1 month

    kcal

  3. Energy Density

    Time frame: 1 month

    kcal/grams

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University at Albany

Other

Collaborators

  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Dec 4, 2019
Registry last updated
Dec 4, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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