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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02044757

The Potentially Addictive Properties of Soda: A Feasibility Study

The purpose of this study to investigate the addictive properties of soda and other sugar sweetened beverages (SBBs) in teenagers aged 13-18 years. It is hypothesized that participants who were regularly consuming sweetened and caffeinated beverages will experience symptoms typical of caffeine withdrawal, such as headache and fatigue, during the SSB withdrawal period.

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Key information

Conditions

Withdrawal Symptoms Behavior Behavior, Addictive Body Weight Chemically-Induced Disorders Compulsive Behavior Impulsive Behavior Mental Disorders Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Substance Withdrawal Syndrome Substance-Related Disorders

Age range

13 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Children's Hospital and Reasearch Center Oakland

Oakland, California, 94609, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Drinks more than 36 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages per day
  • Speaks fluent English
  • Parent speaks English or Spanish
  • Lives in San Francisco Bay Area

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant or nursing
  • Taking medication to address mental health issues

Treatment and study plan

SSB withdrawal

Behavioral

During days 1-5, participants will drink the beverages they normally consume (no intervention). On days 6-8, participants will be instructed to drink only water and unflavored milk during the withdrawal period (days 6-8).

Primary outcomes

  1. Symptoms of withdrawal

    Time frame: Days 1-3 and days 6-8

    Symptoms of withdrawal during the SSB withdrawal period (days 6-8) will be compared to symptoms of withdrawal during usual consumption period (days 1-3). Three measures are used to assess withdrawal symptoms: Griffiths' withdrawal scale, the relative reinforcing value of soda, and daily check in questions on well-being.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in diet

    Time frame: Days 1-2, 6-8

    Changes in diet will be assessed by 24-hour dietary recalls and beverage recalls

  2. Change in impulsivity

    Time frame: Days 1 and 8

    Impulsivity will be assessed via the delayed discounting task

  3. Change in stress

    Time frame: Days 1 and 8

    Stress will be assessed via salivary cortisol samples

  4. Change in preference for soda

    Time frame: Days 1-3, 6-8

    Preference for soda will be measured through the Labeled Affective Magnitude Scale (LAMS) and daily check-in questions

Other outcomes

  1. Compliance with intervention to only drink water and unflavored milk during the SSB withdrawal phase

    Time frame: Days 6-8

    Using measure of salivary caffeine, beverage recalls, and 24-hour dietary recalls, we will assess compliance.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, Berkeley

Other

Collaborators

  • University of California, San Francisco

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Jan 24, 2014
Registry last updated
Dec 9, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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