Sip and Snack Better (SSB) Study: Improving Added Sugar in Adolescents

Launched by TEMPLE UNIVERSITY · Jun 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called the Sip and Snack Better (SSB) Study, is focused on helping teenagers reduce the amount of added sugar they eat and drink. Teens tend to consume more added sugar than any other age group, which can lead to poor nutrition, weight gain, and heart-related health problems. This study will test a 12-week health coaching program designed specifically for teens, to see if it helps them cut back on added sugar compared to a program that uses only technology like text messages. The study will also try a new way to measure sugar intake using a special test called the carbon isotope ratio, which could be more accurate than traditional diet surveys.

To join the study, teens need to be between 12 and 16 years old, live in the Philadelphia area, and have a parent or guardian over 18 who agrees to participate too. Both the teen and parent must be able to read and speak English and have access to a cell phone and the internet for surveys and video calls. Teens must currently be eating more added sugar than recommended, and they will be randomly assigned to either the coaching program or the technology-only group. Teens with certain medical, psychological, or dietary conditions won’t be eligible. Participants will attend some visits in person at a research center in North Philadelphia and will be asked to answer questions and receive support during the 12 weeks. This study aims to find better ways to help teens improve their diet and health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Parent is 18 years or older, and the legal guardian of the adolescent
• • Adolescent is between the ages of 12 and 16 years
• • Parents and adolescents have the ability to read, write, and understand English
• • Adolescents have a cell phone and are willing to use it to receive text messages and answer survey questions
• • Parents and adolescents live in the Philadelphia region and can attend in-person visits at the research center in North Philadelphia
• • Parents and adolescents can access video communication platforms (i.e., Zoom) via phone or computer
• • Parents and adolescents are willing to be randomized to either treatment condition
• • Adolescents exceed daily recommendations for added sugar intake (as assessed by dietary screener)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Adolescent has a medical condition that influences weight status or added sugar intake (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes)
• • Adolescent has a psychological or psychiatric condition that prevents study participation without individualized support (e.g., autism spectrum disorder)
• • Adolescent has been diagnosed with or has received/is receiving treatment for an eating disorder
• • Adolescent has been diagnosed with or has received/is receiving treatment for depression
• • Adolescent has dietary restrictions, dietary prescriptions, or dietary goals given by a health care provider that would influence weight or added sugar intake