Replacing sugary sodas with flavored sparkling water for Black/African American and Latine teens with obesity
Trading Sugar for Sparkles in Adolescents, A Sensory Approach for Reducing Added Sugar From Sweetened Beverages
NA · Indiana University · NCT07223151
This trial will test whether swapping sugary sodas for unsweetened flavored sparkling water, gradually reduced-sugar sodas, or plain water can cut added sugar and improve health in Black/African American and Latine teens with obesity who prefer sweet drinks.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 63 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Indiana University (other) |
| Locations | 3 sites (Bloomington, Indiana and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07223151 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, three-arm intervention enrolls 63 adolescents aged 12–18 who self-identify as Black/African American or Latine, have obesity (BMI >95th percentile), and show a "sweet-liker" pattern. Participants are randomized to replace their usual sugary sodas for 4 weeks with either unsweetened flavored sparkling water, progressively reduced-sugar beverages, or plain water, followed by a 4-week follow-up. Outcomes include repeated sensory testing of beverage liking and sweetness perception, 24-hour dietary recalls, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and blood biomarkers measured at baseline, week 2, week 4, and week 8. The trial compares which beverage-replacement strategy best reduces added sugar intake and improves diet quality and cardiometabolic indicators.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Black/African American or Latine adolescents ages 12–18 with obesity (BMI >95th percentile) who prefer very sweet beverages and are willing to replace their usual sodas are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Adolescents who are not sweet-likers, already regularly drink unsweetened sparkling water, are pregnant, have diabetes, or are allergic/intolerant to study beverage ingredients are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower added sugar intake and lead to meaningful improvements in weight-related measures and cardiometabolic risk in high-risk adolescents.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show that reducing exposure to sugary drinks can lower intake and shift sweetness preference, but the specific use of flavored unsweetened sparkling water and progressive sugar reduction in Black and Latine adolescents is less tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents ages 12 to 18 who display a "sweet-liker" pattern, characterized by a preference for higher concentrations of sugar in beverages, specifically identifying 0.3M (10.3% sucrose) or above as their most liked sample. * Have obesity (body mass index \[BMI\] \> 95%). During screening, subjects' height and weight will be measured to calculate BMI, and BMI will be balanced across study arms using stratified randomization. * Adolescents must also indicate a willingness to drink study beverages; not currently dieting/changing diet. Exclusion Criteria: * For the primary objective. Exclusion Criteria: * Adolescent participant is pregnant, since pregnancy affects taste perception * Participant is allergic or intolerant to the items we are testing. For the secondary objective. Exclusion Criteria: * Adolescent with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (self-declared or detected at screening visit through fasting glucose) * Currently consume unsweetened, sparkling water two or more times per week. * Adolescent participant is pregnant, since pregnancy affects taste perception * Participant is allergic or intolerant to the items we are testing. * Allergic or intolerant to the items that we are testing.
Where this trial is running
Bloomington, Indiana and 2 other locations
- Indiana University School of Public Health - Bloomington — Bloomington, Indiana, United States (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
- Indiana University Hospital — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (RECRUITING)
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, Indiana, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nana Gletsu Miller, PhD
- Email: ngletsum@iu.edu
- Phone: +1 (812) 855-9110
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Obesity, Adolescent, Dietary Sugars, Taste Perception, Insulin Resistance, Feeding Behavior, Obesity, Adolescent, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages