Current Obesity Reports· 2026Q1· Review
The Public Health Implications of Online Food Delivery Platforms: A Narrative Review
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Online food delivery (OFD) platforms predominantly promote energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, driven by convenience and algorithmic personalization, leading to reinforced unhealthy eating patterns.
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Key points
- OFD platforms primarily promote energy-dense, nutrient-poor food options.
- Convenience, time scarcity, and algorithmic personalization enhance the accessibility of unhealthy choices.
- OFD use may reduce physical activity by displacing traditional food procurement.
- Platforms exert broader health influences via environmental and labor practices.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract Purpose of Review This review summarises current knowledge on the role of online food delivery (OFD) platforms in shaping dietary behaviours, sedentary behaviours and other related health outcomes. Recent Findings OFD platforms predominantly promote and facilitate access to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Drivers such as convenience, time scarcity, and algorithmic personalisation reinforce unhealthy eating patterns by making less healthy options more visible and accessible. Evidence concerning sedentary behaviour remains sparse. A small number of studies suggest that OFD use may be displacing traditional food procurement behaviours resulting in reduced physical activity. OFD platforms further influence health through environmental, labour, and corporate activities. Summary Despite their growing influence, OFD platforms remain largely unregulated within existing policy frameworks. There is an urgent need for interdisciplinary research, improved methodological rigour, regulatory change, and industry accountability to mitigate the health risks associated with OFD platforms and harness their potential for promoting healthier diets and related health behaviours.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Current Obesity Reports, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and DieteticsNursing