Formative Research to Develop DC-SIPS: A Multilevel Intervention to Reduce Sugary Drink Intake and Promote Water Intake Among Black Youth in Washington, DC

Authors

Natalie Vallone, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Nia I. Bodrick, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC.
Jasmine H. Kaidbey, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Mariana F. Grilo, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC; Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Shaleen Arora, School of Medical and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Adam Dawer, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Natasha Kumar, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Jaiden Bluth, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Natalie Lueders, Bold Bear Consulting, Los Angeles, CA.
Jennifer M. Sacheck, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
William H. Dietz, Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Karen A. McDonnell, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
William D. Evans, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Allison C. Sylvetsky, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC. Electronic address: asylvets@gwu.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-29-2025

Journal

Journal of nutrition education and behavior

DOI

10.1016/j.jneb.2025.06.014

Keywords

children; formative research; qualitative research; social marketing; sugary drink

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Develop a multilevel intervention to reduce sugary drink intake and increase water intake among African American children in Washington, DC. DESIGN: Qualitative interviews and surveys with pediatricians, children, and their parents. Three key phases of intervention development guided the research: (1) pediatrician (n = 6) feedback on the "Decreasing Children's Sugar Intake through Pediatricians and Social Marketing" intervention concept, (2) initial feedback from children (n = 10) and parents (n = 7) on intervention concept, branding and messaging content, and (3) additional feedback from children (n = 7) and parents (n = 6) on the revised branding and messaging content. SETTING: Pediatric primary care clinic in an underresourced area of Washington, DC. PARTICIPANTS: Pediatricians, children aged 11-14 years seen at the clinic, and their parents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feedback on the intervention concept and prototype content. ANALYSIS: Thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for survey responses. RESULTS: All 3 key informant groups expressed enthusiasm for the intervention concept. Key suggestions included incorporating incentive-based challenges and suggestions for alternative beverages. Feedback on branding and messaging was primarily related to enhancing aesthetics and improving the relatability of the content. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Formative research informed the development of a "Decreasing Children's Sugar Intake through Pediatricians and Social Marketing" intervention plan, which will be pilot-tested for feasibility and acceptability.

APA Citation

Vallone, Natalie; Bodrick, Nia I.; Kaidbey, Jasmine H.; Grilo, Mariana F.; Arora, Shaleen; Dawer, Adam; Kumar, Natasha; Bluth, Jaiden; Lueders, Natalie; Sacheck, Jennifer M.; Dietz, William H.; McDonnell, Karen A.; Evans, William D.; and Sylvetsky, Allison C., "Formative Research to Develop DC-SIPS: A Multilevel Intervention to Reduce Sugary Drink Intake and Promote Water Intake Among Black Youth in Washington, DC" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7538.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7538

Department

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences