Reducing sugary drink consumption among families in rural areas
Official title: weSipSmarter: An efficacy trial to reduce sugary beverages among rural Head Start parent-child dyads
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11019735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping families in rural areas, especially those in Head Start programs, drink less sugary drinks by working together to find fun and easy ways to choose healthier beverages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $670,186 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282436-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are families with children aged 2-5 who are enrolled in Head Start programs in rural regions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have children in the targeted age group or who live outside the specified rural areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to decrease the intake of sugary beverages among parent-child pairs in rural communities, particularly focusing on those involved in Head Start programs. By utilizing a user-centered design approach, the project will adapt existing interventions to better meet the needs of these families. The intervention will involve collaboration with rural Head Start staff and parents to create effective strategies that promote healthier beverage choices. The study will also leverage digital health technologies to facilitate behavior change.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to healthier dietary habits and reduced risk of chronic conditions for families in rural areas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous interventions targeting sugary drink consumption in urban settings have shown success, but this approach is novel in its focus on rural populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zoellner, Jamie — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Zoellner, Jamie
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.