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Not yet recruiting NCT07227519

Effects of UPF Warning Labels on Social Media Among Teens and Young Adults

No phase Interventional Nutrition Healthy Diet Food Preferences

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: UPF Warning Labels, No Labels (Control).
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Nutrition, Healthy Diet, Food Preferences. Basic parameters: 13 years — 29 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Online Randomized Experiment Evaluating Ultra-Processed Food Warning Labels on Social Media Posts Among Teens and Young Adults

Overview

This study aims to evaluate whether Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) warning labels on social media posts improve consumer understanding and influence purchase intentions among teens and young adults. Participants aged 13-29 in the United States will be recruited and randomized into two groups: a control group (no label) and an intervention group (UPF warning). Participants will view social media posts featuring UPFs with or without warning labels and respond to survey questions following each post.

Detailed description

This study is designed to assess the effect of a highly visible UPF warning label on social media posts among adolescents and young adults in the United States. we will recruit approximately 500 US teens aged 13-17 and 500 young adults aged 18-29.

Participants will complete a between-subjects online randomized experiment. They will be randomized into either a UPF warning label group or a no label control group. Participants will view four social media posts featuring UPFs (with or without warning labels based on their assigned group) in random order. These posts are based on real Instagram advertisements from leading food and beverage companies; two posts will feature sugar-sweetened beverages and two will feature fast-food menu items. After viewing each post, participants will answer questions assessing consumer understanding, purchase intentions, and perceived healthfulness. At the end of the survey, all participants will also respond to questions regarding perceptions of control over healthy eating, policy support for UPF warnings, and their understanding of the term "ultra-processed food."

Interventions

  • Behavioral UPF Warning Labels
    Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed with warning labels
  • Behavioral No Labels (Control)
    Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed without warning labels

Primary outcome measures

  • Consumer understanding [Time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey]
  • Purchase intentions [Time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
  • Perceived healthfulness [Time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey]
  • Perceptions of control over healthy eating [Time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey]
  • Policy support for ultra-processed food warning labels [Time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 13-29
  • Reside in the US
  • Can read and speak English

Exclusion criteria

  • Under the age of 13 or over 29
  • Reside outside of the United States
  • Unable to complete a survey in English

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Prevention

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • UTHSC Department of Preventive Medicine — Memphis

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07227519 · 25-10909-NHSR

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗