Hunting for fresh food: The impact of online fresh food platforms on health

Abstract

In response to the growing demand for healthier food, online fresh food platforms have emerged as a convenient solution, aiming to meet this need. This study employs a difference-in-differences design and an imputation method to evaluate the impact of online fresh food platforms on population health. These methodological approaches enable the identification of causal effects, offering insights into how these platforms influence health outcomes across different demographic groups. Our findings reveal that the availability of online fresh food options positively influences health outcomes by increasing physical activity, such as walking time, and reducing BMI, hypertension, and depression rates. Easier access to healthier food fosters healthier lifestyles, contributing to both improved physical and mental health. These findings may offer insights for policymakers, suggesting that the availability of accessible healthy diet options could contribute to improving community health.