Understanding the role, barriers, and motivators of takeaway food purchasing and consumption in English families across socioeconomic positions: a secondary qualitative analysis

Rates of obesity are rising globally, with socioeconomic inequalities driving this disproportionately in lower income communities. The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing cost-of-living crisis have further exacerbated unhealthy eating patterns, including a rise in the ‘out of home’ sector. Understanding these food dynamics in families is crucial for informing equitable obesity prevention policies, particularly given than takeaway foods are often calorie dense, lacking key nutrients, and have been linked to obesity This study explores the role, barriers, and motivators of takeaway food purchasing and consumption for families in England, and whether this differed by socioeconomic position (SEP). Inductive thematic analysis was conducted with a constructivist ontology lens. Participants were 20 higher and lower SEP parents/carers of school or nursery aged children across Bradford, Brent, and Folkestone and Hythe. Both higher and lower SEP participants saw takeaways as a treat, a break from cooking, and a tradition. Lower SEP participants described these takeaway traditions as having begun when COVID-19 restrictions were introduced and expressed intentions to continue them. Higher SEP families used takeaways to try new cuisines and as a social event with the family. Price was a barrier for both higher and lower SEP participants, but only lower SEP families saw promotional offers as a motivator. Negative service experiences were a barrier for higher SEP participants. Both higher and lower SEP participants shared other family members buying takeaways as a motivator. This research suggests takeaways play a role in many families’ lives by producing structure, facilitating social events, and providing emotional support. These results contribute context and understanding of families’ food environments. As lower SEP families described being motivated by promotional offers, policy options to restrict the promotion of less healthy options should be explored.