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

NCT ID: NCT07227519

Last Updated: 2025-11-12

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

1000 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-01

Study Completion Date

2025-12-20

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate whether Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) warning labels on social media posts improve consumer understanding and influence purchase intentions among adolescents 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

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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 adolescents 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 and policy support for UPF warnings.

Conditions

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Nutrition Healthy Diet Food Preferences

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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UPF Warning Labels

UPF warning labels will be placed beneath each social media post. Each label will feature an icon accompanied by explanatory text, using the exact health risk wording proposed in the Childhood Diabetes Reductions Act: "Warning: consuming ultra-processed foods and drinks can cause weight gain, which increases the risk of obesity and type-2 diabetes". All text will be left-aligned. The icon will consist of exclamation marks within a yellow triangle. The warning label will be large and highly visible and enclosed within a bold rectangular border.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

UPF Warning Labels

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed with warning labels

No Label (Control)

No label

Group Type OTHER

No Labels (Control)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed without warning labels

Interventions

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UPF Warning Labels

Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed with warning labels

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

No Labels (Control)

Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed without warning labels

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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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
Minimum Eligible Age

13 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

29 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Stanford University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Tennessee

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Yuru Huang

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Yuru Huang

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Tennessee

Anna Grummon

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Stanford University

Locations

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UTHSC Department of Preventive Medicine

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Yuru Huang, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 901-448-8019

Email: [email protected]

Anna Grummon, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 650-644-7366

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Yuru Huang, PhD

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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25-10909-NHSR

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id