HOAP Intervention for Food Choice

(HOAP Trial)

This trial aims to evaluate how a digital nudge intervention, Healthy Options At Pantries (HOAP), can encourage healthier food choices when ordering from online food pantries. It will assess the effectiveness of nudges, such as color-coding foods based on healthiness and prioritizing healthier items. The study also examines the best methods for collecting data on diet and health outcomes from a subgroup of participants. This trial suits adults who speak English or Spanish, use a smartphone, and regularly order from specific online food pantries. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance healthy eating habits for many.

Research has shown that digital nudges, like the Healthy Options At Pantries (HOAP) program, are generally safe and easy to manage. Studies have found that simple changes in how food choices are presented can encourage healthier options without causing harm. These nudges are low-cost and minimally disruptive, meaning they don't significantly interfere with daily life.

The nudges used in HOAP, such as color-coded labels and placing healthier foods at the front, have been tested in various settings. They have proven effective in promoting healthier eating habits. Importantly, these interventions typically don't cause negative effects because they guide choices rather than alter the food itself or require new behaviors.

Researchers are excited about the HOAP digital nudge intervention because it uses innovative techniques to promote healthier food choices among online pantry shoppers. Unlike traditional approaches that simply offer dietary advice, HOAP leverages behavioral science with features like traffic light labeling and choice architecture to guide decisions in real-time. This method not only helps shoppers easily identify healthier options but also subtly prioritizes these items, potentially leading to better health outcomes without requiring drastic lifestyle changes. The inclusion of a nutrition summary bar and opt-out healthy default options further supports informed and healthier shopping habits, making it a unique and proactive tool in promoting nutritional well-being.

Research has shown that digital nudges, like the Healthy Options At Pantries (HOAP) program, can help people make healthier food choices. In this trial, participants in the HOAP Intervention Cohort will receive the digital nudge intervention, which includes features such as traffic light labels—green for healthy and orange for less healthy—to guide better food choices. Studies have found that when healthier foods are easier to see and more attractive, people are more likely to pick them. In similar programs, people often choose lower-calorie foods. This suggests that the HOAP digital nudge could encourage healthier food choices for those using online pantries.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹