Adolescents Needed for Sweetened Beverages Study
Nana Gletsu Miller
Primary Investigator
Brief description of study
Why is this study being done?
The goal of this study is to better understand how preferences for sweet flavors affect dietary habits, heart and metabolic health.
Who can take part?
We are looking for Black/African American and Latine adolescents (ages 12-18) who consume sugary sodas and their families (only one parent/guardian can participate). Participants must also be able to attend study visits at the Nutrition Research Center on either IU Indianapolis or IU Bloomington campus or Purdue University (West Lafayette).
Detailed description of study
What will happen during the study?
This study will be conducted in 2 parts (Aim 1 and Aim 2). All enrolled adolescents (ages 12-18) and at least one parent/guardian will participate in Aim 1.
Only a subset of eligible participants from Aim 1 will be invited to continue to Aim 2.
All study visits will take place at the Nutrition Research Center on IU campus in Bloomington or Indianapolis or Purdue University (West Lafayette).
Aim 1 - Establish the amount of sweet-liking characteristic among adolescents who identify as Black/African American or Latine.
(Study visit 1): 2 hours
- Sweet liking Test: Participants will will taste plain water and flavored sparkling water drinks with different sugar levels and answer some questions about their taste.
- Health Assessments: Height, weight, and waist circumference will be measured.
- Dietary Intake Assessment: Two food intake survey will be conducted to assess usual sugar intake.
Aim 2 - Intervention Phase (Weeks 1-4):
- Beverage Group Assignment: Participants will be randomly assigned, like the flip of a coin, to 1 of 3 groups to drink assigned beverages for 4 weeks: unsweetened flavored sparkling water, gradually reduced sugar levels in soda, or plain water.
- Sweet liking Test: Will be repeated at Weeks 2, 4, and 8 to track changes.
- Food intake survey: Will be repeated at Weeks 2, 4, and 8 to monitor changes in sugar consumption.
- Health Assessments: Will be repeated at Weeks 4 and 8 to evaluate cardio-metabolic changes.
- Compliance Tracking: Participants will receive reminders via text/email to drink their assigned beverages.
Follow-Up Phase (Weeks 5-8):
- Participants will not receive study beverages, but will be monitored to see if the changes in taste preference and health markers persist.
Incentive/compensation
Compensation for Aim 1
- Total Compensation: Each participating family (one adolescent + one parent/guardian) will receive $30 per person, totaling $60 per family.
- Parking Reimbursement: The study will cover parking fees up to $20 for in-person study visits.
- No Additional Costs: Participants will not have to pay for any study-related activities, including health assessments and beverages provided for testing
Compensation for Aim 2
- Total Compensation: Participants who complete the entire 8-week intervention will receive $360.
- Parking Reimbursement: Similar to Aim 1, parking fees up to $20 per in-person visit will be covered.
- Study Beverages & Supplies: Participants will receive all study beverages at no cost, with some delivered by mail if needed
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: all
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Age: 12 years - 18 years
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Gender: All
- Self-identify as Black/African American or Latine
- English or Spanish-speaking
- Pregnancy
- Allergic or intolerant to the items we are testing.
- Diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, either self-reported or detected during screening via fasting blood glucose test.
- Participants with conditions affecting their ability to perceive flavors, including sweetness (e.g., diagnosed taste disorders, nerve damage, or medication-induced taste alterations.
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