A Longitudinal, Randomized-Controlled Experiment of Healthy Food Policies in Online Retail Settings
Unhealthy diets significantly contribute to major preventable chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and stroke, which disproportionally impact racial/ethnic minority groups and those with lower income \[1-3\]. Although taxes and warning labels targeting sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) have been successful at shifting behavior \[4-7\], there are many other ultra-processed food products that contribute to unhealthy diets \[8\]. What is less well-known is whether a suite of healthy food policies that are expanded to target a range of ultra-processed foods can shift dietary choices and intake in meaningful ways. Our research team's long-term goal is to identify and understand the degree to which combinations of healthy food policies can improve nutrition security and reduce nutrition-related diseases.
• ≥18 years old
• Not currently eligible for or participating in SNAP or another government program that automatically qualifies the person for SNAP (e.g., WIC, TANF)
• Meets the following income eligibility requirements:
⁃ For participants living in the Houston or San Antonio areas, their household income must be greater than 165% of the federal poverty level, but less than the Texas state median household income (based on the 2023 American Community Survey) for their household size \[11\].
⁃ For participants living in the Philadelphia area, their income must be greater than 200% of the federal poverty level, but less than the Pennsylvania state median household income (based on the 2023 American Community Survey) for their household size \[11\].
• Reports consuming food from McDonald's or a similar fast-food chain at least once a month
• Does most of the grocery shopping for the household
• Can adhere to the study schedule (e.g., receive a lunch on a Wednesday)
• Has regular internet access
• Has a smart phone that can take pictures
• Resident of Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX or Philadelphia, PA or the surrounding areas and plans to be there for the next six weeks
• Household size of six or fewer people
• Have an address eligible for receiving Grubhub+ and Walmart+ deliveries