CompletedNot Applicable

Reducing Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Children

United States29 participantsStarted 2019-07-10

Plain-language summary

Lowering sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is a central component of lifestyle behavior change aimed at preventing and managing obesity, yet effective reduction of SSB intakes has been met with many challenges. While their palatability, accessibility, publicity, affordability, and social acceptability contribute to frequent and sustained SSB consumption, their caffeine and sugar content may further encourage continued intake. Although adverse health consequences of excessive SSB consumption are well documented, the extent to which their pleasant taste (due primarily to their sugar content) and post-ingestive effects (due to their sugar and/or caffeine content) positively reinforce consumption among children has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to conduct a pilot intervention to examine the feasibility of removing caffeinated SSBs from the child diet and to explore whether caffeinated SSB removal induces withdrawal symptoms in 8-11 (3rd-5th grade) year old children. Participants will be randomly assigned to replace their usual caffeinated SSB consumption with either caffeinated SSBs, caffeine-free SSBs or sparkling water provided by the study team for two weeks.

Who can participate

Age range

8 Years – 11 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Reports regular consumption of caffeinated sugar-sweetened beverages, defined as consuming ≥ 12 ounces of caffeinated SSB's per day Exclusion Criteria: * Poorly managed chronic medical condition; current or prior eating order diagnosis; asthma requiring medication in past three months; history of migraines; regular consumption (≥ 1 serving per week) of other caffeinated beverages, such as energy drinks, regular coffee, or hot tea

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Adherence

Timeframe: Two weeks

Withdrawal Symptoms

Timeframe: Average withdrawal scores over first 72 hours of intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04025060

SponsorGeorge Washington University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-05-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pediatric Obesity trials