Added Sugar Warnings for Weight Bias
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to assess how warning labels about added sugars on sugary drinks influence people's thoughts and judgments about body weight. Participants will shop for drinks in a store and view either regular labels or special sugar warning labels during their visits. The researchers seek to determine if these labels alter opinions about weight. Suitable candidates are 18 or older, have purchased sugary drinks at least once in the past week, and can attend four study visits. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to important research on consumer behavior and health awareness.
What prior data suggests that these labels are safe for participants?
Research has shown that warning labels on sugary drinks are generally safe for everyone. These labels aim to inform, not to treat any medical condition. Studies have found that they can reduce the purchase of sugary drinks by clearly displaying sugar content and potential health effects. Since the labels are not ingested or applied to the body, they cause no physical side effects. This approach focuses on raising awareness to change buying habits, making it safe and well-tolerated.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the trial for added sugar warnings because it's tackling weight bias in a novel way. Unlike standard practices that focus solely on dietary guidelines or nutritional education, this approach uses explicit labeling to raise awareness about sugar content. The unique feature here is the potential to shift consumer perceptions and behaviors directly at the point of purchase, which could lead to healthier choices and reduce weight-related stigma. By making sugar content clear and prominent, the trial aims to influence both individual decision-making and broader social attitudes around food consumption.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing weight bias?
Research has shown that warning labels about added sugar can help people purchase fewer sugary drinks. One study found that when people saw these labels, they bought about 22% fewer calories from sugary drinks. Another study demonstrated that these labels made it easier for people to identify products with high added sugar content. Participants in this trial will encounter either an added sugar warning label or a control label. Although some studies suggest these labels might not alter perceptions of drinks without labels, overall, warning labels may help reduce sugar consumption and potentially decrease obesity.16789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Aline D'Angelo Campos, PhD, MPP
Principal Investigator
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants are exposed to either control labels or added sugar warning labels on SSBs during four visits to an experimental store
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in explicit weight bias and body weight attributional judgements
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Added sugar warning
- Control label
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Potential unintended consequences of graphic warning labels ...
A recent study found that a graphic warning label that contained negative imagery of obesity reduced purchases of sugar‐sweetened beverages. However, these ...
testing the effectiveness of different added sugar warning ...
All WLs significantly improved identification of products with added sugar and perceptions of added sugar levels. WL designs with icons (text ...
The Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Warnings
The results suggest that SSB warning labels have little impact, either positively or negatively, on judgments of non-labeled beverages. This ...
Perceived Effectiveness of Added-Sugar Warning Label ...
Most participants (80%) supported using added-sugar warning labels on restaurant menus. These promising results support the need to further develop and test ...
5.
publichealth.jhu.edu
publichealth.jhu.edu/2017/warning-labels-can-help-reduce-soda-consumption-and-obesity-new-study-suggestsWarning Labels Can Help Reduce Soda Consumption and ...
“We found that sugary-drink warning labels may help decrease obesity and overweight prevalence across a wide variety of circumstances,” says ...
Effects of sugary beverage text & pictorial warnings - PMC - NIH
Sugar pictorial warnings led to more accurate added-sugar content estimates compared to all conditions, and greater label trust and support for SSB warning ...
7.
cfnp.upenn.edu
cfnp.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/VanEpps-and-Roberto-AJPM-2016-Sugary-Drink-Warning-Labels.pdfThe Influence of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Warnings
The first warning label read: SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay (California label).
Warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit ...
This study compared 27 warning labels across six message types for their potential to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
Potential unintended consequences of graphic warning ...
A recent study found that a graphic warning label that contained negative imagery of obesity reduced purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.