NCT07346001

Impacts of Sugar Warnings on Weight Bias

Impacts of Prolonged Exposure to Added Sugar Warning Labels on Explicit Weight Bias: a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 543 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of added sugar warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on explicit weight bias and body weight attributional judgements. Participants will be assigned to view either control labels or added sugar warning labels applied on SSBs in an experimental store. Participants will shop for beverages in the store and take a computer survey during four visits to the store, spaced approximately one week apart.

Detailed description

This study aims to determine whether applying added sugar warnings on sugary drinks impacts explicit weight bias and body weight attributional judgements. Approximately 543 adults (ages 18 and older) who have bought at least one SSB in the past week will attend four in-person visits at an experimental store, spaced approximately one week apart. Participants will be randomized to see either neutral control labels or added sugar labels on SSB containers during their visits to the experimental store. At each study visit, participants will shop for beverages in the store and take a computer survey. Explicit weight bias and attribution of responsibility for body weight will be assessed via the computer surveys at the first and last visit.

Conditions

• Nutrition
• Diet Interventions

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Control label	The control label will display a neutral, square-shaped barcode. Labels will be placed on the front of SSB containers in the experimental store.
BEHAVIORAL	Added sugar warning	The added sugar warning will be octagon-shaped and will state "HIGH IN ADDED SUGAR." Warnings will be placed on the front of SSB containers in the experimental store.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-16
• Primary completion: 2027-12-01
• Completion: 2027-12-01
• First posted: 2026-01-16
• Last updated: 2026-04-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States