How the rise of online food delivery may be damaging our health

During the pandemic, food delivery apps have seen a surge in popularity.

Fast-food chains topped the list of most popular food outlets. In Sydney, fast-food chains made up 38%, and in Auckland, 54% of the most popular food outlets.

Fast-food chains most popular in Sydney include McDonald’s (54 outlets, 8.4%), Subway (52%), Oporto (42%), and Domino’s (28%).

Subway was the most popular fast-food chain in Auckland (46 stores; 11.7%), followed by McDonald’s (40 outlets, 10.2%), Burger King 24 stores (6.1%), and Hell Pizza 20 stores (5.1%).

All of these fast-food chains are rated as the least healthy.

The Conversation asked Uber Eats to comment on their grocery section, and their spokesperson pointed out that it “[makes] fruit and vegetables more affordable for thousands of Australians.”

A spokesperson said that “quinoa and kale bowls, Brussels sprouts, brown rice, edamame acai kombucha hummus, edamame acai acai acai acai acai acai acai acai kombucha hummus hummus” have all seen an increase in popularity. Our assessment shows that these items are not as popular as unhealthy menu items.

Read more: Want to be happier, healthier, and save money? It’s time to get cooking.

Independent outlets are rushing to join, but how healthy are their menus?

In Sydney, independent takeaway shops like your local kebab or fish and chips shop are the second-most popular type of food outlet (30% of food outlets).

In a separate analysis, we analyzed the menu items (13,841 total) of 196 Sydney’s top independent takeaway shops on Uber Eats. Based on the Australian Nutrition Guidelines, we classified 38 food and beverage categories.

More than 80% were “junk foods” or discretionary items. 42 % of the menu items were classified as “discount cereal-based mixed meal,” which includes pizzas, hamburgers, kebabs, and pride. Some other types of junk food include chicken schnitzel or battered fish, as well as sugary drinks.

Marketing tactics are not effective.

These two studies show the wide variety of unhealthy food items that are available on these platforms. In-app marketing can make it difficult for consumers to make healthier choices.

Unhealthier menu options were twice as likely as healthier items to be categorized as “most popular.” Harmful menu items are also nearly 1.5 times more likely than healthier ones to have a picture and to be sold in a value package.

Uber Eats’ menus featured more than 80% junk food. Shutterstock

In another study, we saw how online food delivery companies have used the pandemic as a way to promote junk foods on social media.

A recent digital analysis of Instagram accounts for nine online food delivery services in three different regions (Australia/New Zealand, North America, the United Kingdom, and the United States) revealed that nearly 70% of the food advertised on Instagram was junk food.

In 2020, 32% of posts will mention the pandemic. These posts encourage consumers to order food and stay at home to support local businesses.

It’s good to support local businesses and stay home during lockdowns, but it is alarming that more than 97% (of the food items) featured in COVID-related Instagram posts from Australia or the UK are junk foods.

Read more: Combo meal deals and price discounts on fast food encourage us to eat more junk. It’s time for policy action.

Can we promote healthier choices in the digital age?

Online food delivery makes it easy to get junk food and beverages. This is a major factor in the rising obesity rates. Australian data suggests that 16% are obese. Around 1 in 3 people aged over 15 years are obese.

World Health Organization acknowledged the increasing impact of online food environments on people’s diet decisions. It urges the food industry, government, policymakers, and researchers to take collective action for the public’s health.

We propose the following actions in line with WHO:

Include healthy online food environments in the National Obesity Strategy. Australia’s action on the obesity and overweight epidemic will be guided by this ten-year plan, which is currently being consulted. The public, especially young people, has requested supportive food environments to enable them to make healthy food decisions. This framework is an important tool to bring the impact of online food services on public health to the forefront.

Government policies Restricting junk food advertisements to young people.

Research suggests that convenient takeout produces excessive waste. Combining messages may increase the potential for behavior change.