NutritionNCT07227519
Effects of UPF Warning Labels on Social Media Among Teens and Young Adults
A study testing UPF Warning Labels in people with Nutrition and Healthy Diet, run by University of Tennessee at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 29 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Nutrition, Healthy Diet, Food Preferences
- What is being tested?
- UPF Warning Labels
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 1,012 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 2 Dec 2025to 16 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 13 to 29 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 13-29
- Reside in the US
- Can read and speak English
Who cannot join
- Under the age of 13 or over 29
- Reside outside of the United States
- Unable to complete a survey in English
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
UTHSC Department of Preventive Medicine
Memphis, Tennessee, 38163
About this study
Official title: Online Randomized Experiment Evaluating Ultra-Processed Food Warning Labels on Social Media Posts Among Teens and Young Adults
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.
Read the 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."
- Conditions
- Nutrition, Healthy Diet, Food Preferences
- Being tested
- UPF Warning Labels, No Labels (Control)
- Medical subject headings
- Food Preferences
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
UPF Warning LabelsBehavioural
Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed with warning labels
No Labels (Control)Behavioural
Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed without warning labels
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| UPF Warning Labels | Experimental | 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. Receives: Behavioral: UPF Warning Labels |
| No Label (Control) | Other | No label Receives: Behavioral: No Labels (Control) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Consumer understanding
For each social media post, participants will be asked whether they think the product is ultra-processed. Response options will be "yes", "no", or "I don't know". Consumer understanding will be coded as a binary outcome: "yes" = correct; "no" and "I don't know" = incorrect.
Measured: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey
Purchase intentions
For each social media post, participants will be asked how likely they would buy the product in the next week, either in-store or online. Response options will be on a 1-5 Likert scale, with 5 being "very likely". Higher scores indicate higher intentions to purchase the product.
Measured: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey
Secondary outcomes (3)
Perceived healthfulness
For each social media post, participants will be asked how healthy the product seems to them. Responses options will be on a 1-5 Likert scale, with 5 indicating "very healthy". Higher scores indicate higher perceived healthfulness.
Measured: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey
Perceptions of control over healthy eating
After viewing all four social media posts, all participants will be shown the UPF warning label (regardless of condition) and asked whether the UPF warning labels make them feel "less in control of making healthy eating decision," "neither less nor more in control or making healthy eating decisions," or "more in control of making healthy eating decisions." Responses will be binary coded: "more in control" = 1; "less" or "neither" = 0.
Measured: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey
Policy support for ultra-processed food warning labels
After viewing all four social media posts, all participants will be shown the UPF warning label (regardless of condition) and asked whether they support or oppose a policy requiring these labels on social media advertisements for ultra-processed foods and beverages. Response options will be on a 1-5 Likert scale, with 5 indicating "Strongly support." Higher scores will indicate higher support for warning labels.
Measured: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Nov 2025
- Study start2 Dec 2025
- Primary completion16 Dec 2025
- Study completion16 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for NutritionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 1,012 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Tennessee
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Stanford University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yuru Huang, University of Tennessee
- Investigators
- Yuru Huang, Principal investigator, University of TennesseeAnna Grummon, Principal investigator, Stanford University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07227519
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 25-10909-NHSR
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 10 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Investigators will post de-identified individual participant data in a public repository.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Online Randomized Experiment Evaluating Ultra-Processed Food Warning Labels on Social Media Posts Among Teens and Young Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07227519
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 25-10909-NHSR
- Conditions
- Nutrition, Healthy Diet, Food Preferences
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 1,012 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of TennesseeUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Stanford University
- Study start
- 2 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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."
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| UPF Warning Labels | Experimental | Behavioral: UPF Warning LabelsUPF 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. |
| No Label (Control) | Other | Behavioral: No Labels (Control)No label |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 29 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Aged 13-29
- Reside in the US
- Can read and speak English
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Under the age of 13 or over 29
- Reside outside of the United States
- Unable to complete a survey in English
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| UPF Warning LabelsParticipants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed with warning labels | Behavioural | UPF Warning Labels |
| No Labels (Control)Participants will view four Instagram posts featuring UPFs, displayed without warning labels | Behavioural | No Label (Control) |
Primary outcome
Consumer understanding
Time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey
For each social media post, participants will be asked whether they think the product is ultra-processed. Response options will be "yes", "no", or "I don't know". Consumer understanding will be coded as a binary outcome: "yes" = correct; "no" and "I don't know" = incorrect.
Purchase intentions
Time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey
For each social media post, participants will be asked how likely they would buy the product in the next week, either in-store or online. Response options will be on a 1-5 Likert scale, with 5 being "very likely". Higher scores indicate higher intentions to purchase the product.
3 secondary outcomes
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
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Investigators will post de-identified individual participant data in a public repository.
Related trials for Nutrition
RecruitingObservational study
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) Prospective Trial for Obesity (EGO-Trial)
Obesity
Active, not recruitingPhase 4
Effects of Sequential Therapy With Mexidol® (Intravenous) and Mexidol® FORTE 250 (Oral) on Functional Brain Activity Assessed by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biochemical Parameters in Patients With Chronic Cerebral Ischemia: A Comparison of Patients With and Without Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic Abnormalities, Obesity & Overweight
RecruitingPhase 1/2
A First-in-human Study of KK8123 in Adults With X-linked Hypophosphatemia
X-linked Hypophosphatemia
Recruiting
Exercise Training and Vitamin D Metabolism
Obesity & Overweight, Vitamin D
Recruiting
Metabolic Health, Bones and Nuts During Weight Loss in Adults
Weight Loss, Bone Density
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Yuru Huang principal investigator
University of Tennessee
Anna Grummon principal investigator
Stanford University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing UPF Warning Labels in people with Nutrition and Healthy Diet, run by University of Tennessee at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Consumer understanding (time frame: Assessed during one-time 10-minute online study survey). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Aug 2026.