Analyzing plaque samples to understand sugar intake effects in Alaska Native children
Official title: Microbiome Analysis of Plaque Samples from a Community-Based Socio-behavioral RCT to Reduce Sugared Fruit Drinks in Alaska Native Children
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11064800 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cutting back on sugary fruit drinks can affect the mouth bacteria of Alaska Native children, and it’s for families who want to learn more about how their kids' diet can improve their oral health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $155,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DE033779-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064800 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Alaska Native children aged 1 to 10 years who participated in the previous intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 1 to 10 years or those not belonging to Alaska Native communities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of reducing sugared fruit drinks on the oral microbiome of Alaska Native children. It builds on a previous community-based intervention that educated families about the harms of sugary drinks and promoted healthier alternatives. The study will analyze plaque samples collected from children over a six-month period to assess changes in their microbiome related to sugar intake. By examining these samples, researchers aim to uncover important relationships between diet and oral health in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved oral health outcomes for Alaska Native children by informing better dietary practices.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in community-based interventions targeting dietary changes to improve health outcomes, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chi, Donald Leslie — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Chi, Donald Leslie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.