weSIPsmarter: Evaluating a Digital Health Intervention Aimed at Reducing Sugary Drinks Among Rural Head Start Preschoolers and Their Parents

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · Jun 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at whether a digital program called weSIPsmarter can help reduce how much sugary drinks young children and their parents consume. The program will be tested in 12 rural Head Start centers, which are early education programs for children aged 2 to 5. These centers will be split into two groups: one will use the weSIPsmarter program, and the other will continue as usual, so researchers can see if the program makes a difference.

Families may be eligible to join if their child is between 2 and 5 years old, enrolled in one of the participating rural Head Start programs, and if a parent or legal guardian agrees to take part alongside their child. Only one parent and child from each household can join. The study is not recruiting yet, but if selected, participants will be asked to engage with the program and share information about their sugary drink habits. This study focuses on communities in certain rural areas, including parts of Appalachia and the Black Belt, aiming to support healthier drink choices for both children and parents.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Head Start sites: Head Start sites will be located in or adjacent to a rural county (RUCC 4-9), fall within the planned Appalachia and Black Belt regions, have an enrollment of 120 families or more, and exhibit commitment and capacity to the scope of work.
• • 2. Participants: Children enrolled must be between the ages of 2 and 5 year, be enrolled in a participating Head Start, and have a legal guardian ("parent," able under law to consent for their child to participate) who has enrolled in the trial themselves and provided consent for the child. Only one parent-child dyad per household is eligible to participate in the trial.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Parents could not have participated in formative work for this study completed under SBS 4522.