The GRoceries Aimed at Increasing Nutrition Study

Conditions studied

Type 2 Diabetes, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Type II Diabetes, Pre-diabetes, Pre-diabetic, Pre-diabetic State, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)

About this study

Only 2% of Americans meet the recommended levels of whole grain consumption, despite its association with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. This study aims to assess if consumers with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes can be encouraged to switch from buying refined grain products to whole grain products when shopping for groceries online. The study will use personalized marketing strategies, with or without discounts which adjust based on purchasing behavior, to promote whole grain consumption.

Interventions

• Behavioral: Marketing Nudges Only — Marketing nudges encouraging whole grain purchasing, including displaying whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice) at the top of the study's online grocery store, featuring whole grain banner displays, and offering product swaps to highlight whole grain alternatives
• Behavioral: Marketing Nudges + Dynamically Adapted Financial Incentives — Marketing nudges encouraging whole grain purchasing, including displaying whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice) at the top of the study's online grocery store, featuring whole grain banner displays, and offering product swaps to highlight whole grain alternatives, plus personalized financial incentives with individual incentive amounts optimized weekly based on prior whole grain purchasing behavior and engagement

Primary outcomes

• Change in calories purchased from products that are majority whole grains over time (18 weeks)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 United States