Effects of Sugary Drinks Counter-marketing Messages

Summary

This study aims to examine consumer responses to traditional and counter-marketing messages discouraging sugary drink consumption, including effects on intentions to consume sugary drinks and perceived weight stigma. Because prior research has suggested that counter-marketing may be especially effective among younger populations, the investigators will examine effects overall and by age group (young adults \[ages 18-29 years\] vs. middle and older adults \[ages 30+ years\]).

Conditions

• Obesity
• Weight Prejudice
• Weight Gain
• Dietary Habits

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exposure to counter-marketing messages

Counter-marketing messages about sugary drinks that incorporate principles of effective counter-marketing campaigns, including describing industry manipulation of consumers, appealing to emotions (especially anger), describing health consequences, and criticizing the industry for demographic targeting. Messages include text adapted from prior counter-marketing campaigns. Participants will view a total of 4 messages developed for this arm.

BEHAVIORAL

Exposure to traditional health messages

Traditional health messages focused on the health consequences of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, using text adapted from prior sugary drink campaigns. Participants will view a total of 4 messages developed for this arm.

BEHAVIORAL

Exposure to control (neutral) messages

Control messages approximately matched to the intervention messages on length, but discussing a neutral topic unrelated to sugary drinks (safe driving). Participants will view a total of 4 messages developed for this arm.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

  collaborator OTHER

• Stanford University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Anna H Grummon, PhD · Stanford School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-08-07

Primary Completion

2023-08-07

Completion

2023-08-07

Countries

• United States

Study Locations