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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06468501

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

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.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Liverpool

Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, United Kingdom

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Price reduction on healthier foods

Behavioral

Price reduction (10%) on healthier foods based on the UK NPM

Price increase to less healthy foods

Behavioral

Price increase (10%) on less healthy foods based on the UK NPM

Combination of price reduction on healthier foods and price increase on less healthy foods

Behavioral

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

Control

Behavioral

Existing price structure

Primary outcomes

  1. Healthier vs less healthy main meals ordered based on the Nutrient Profiling Model and total energy (kcal)

    Time frame: immediately after food choice

    Healthier vs less healthy main meals ordered

  2. Total energy (kcal) ordered

    Time frame: immediately after food choice

    The total energy content of the total hypothetical food order

Secondary outcomes

  1. Proportion of selecting healthier vs less healthy meal items of the total food order based on the Nutrient Profiling Model and total energy (kcal)

    Time frame: immediately after food choice

    Proportion of selecting healthier vs less healthy meal items of the total hypothetical food order

  2. Total fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar ordered

    Time frame: immediately after food choice

    Total fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar of total hypothetical food order

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Liverpool

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jun 21, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 28, 2025

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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