The Sweet Kids Study (Stevia on Weight and Energy Effect Over Time)
Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
Summary
This is an 8 to14-week three-arm randomized controlled in children 8 to 12 years old. The main purpose of the study is to evaluate if stevia has benefits for weight control and metabolic function relative to caloric sweeteners, and whether it provides benefits in this regard similar to water.
Description
Up to 150 children will be enrolled in the study to achieve a final sample of 90 completers (30 per group). The proposed study will be an 8 to 14-week, three-arm, randomized, controlled, blinded trial in children ages 8 to 12 years from the Central Arkansas region. Children will be randomized to consume one of three beverages: 1) sucrose-sweetened beverage, 2) stevia-sweetened beverage, or 3) calorie-free flavored water beverage. Participants with excessive weight (BMI percentile ≥85th and \<140 percent of the 95th percentile) will complete a 14-week intervention whereas normal-weight (BMI per…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8–12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria * Age 8-12 years * Normal weight: BMI percentile ≥5th to \<85th * Excessive weight: BMI percentile ≥ 85th and \<140% of the 95th percentile or BMI ≥35 to \<40 kg/m2 * Current consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (≥2 times /wk) * Low consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (≤ 3 time/wk) * Willingness to consume experimental products Exclusion Criteria * Children with class 3 obesity (i.e., BMI ≥ 140% of the 95th percentile or BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2) * Dislike of experimental beverage taste (assessed at initial visit) * Asthma that requires daily use of inhalers to keep symptom…
Interventions
- OtherSucrose sweetened beverage
Children who habitually consume sugar (sucrose) - sweetened beverages who are randomized to this arm, will consume the study product for 8 to 14 weeks.
- OtherStevia sweetened beverages
Children who habitually consume sugar (sucrose) - sweetened beverages who are randomized to this arm, will consume the study product for 8 to 14 weeks.
- OtherCalorie free flavored water beverage
Children who habitually consume sugar (sucrose) - sweetened beverages who are randomized to this arm, will consume the study product for 8 to 14 weeks.
Locations (2)
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition CenterLittle Rock, Arkansas
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition CenterLittle Rock, Arkansas