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The Sweet Kids Study: Stevia, Weight, and Energy in Children

The Sweet Kids Study is looking at how different beverages affect weight and metabolism in children aged 8 to 12. This study compares sucrose-sweetened beverages, stevia-sweetened beverages, and calorie-free flavored water. Researchers want to see if stevia offers benefits for weight control and metabolic function, similar to water, compared to sugary drinks. You could be eligible if you are 8-12 years old, habitually drink sugary beverages, and have normal or excessive weight. The study aims to see if these drinks change your body mass index (BMI) z-scores, fat mass index z-scores, and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) over 8 to 14 weeks. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is a randomized, controlled, and blinded study involving up to 150 children, with 30 children in each of the three groups. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three beverage groups.
What's involved
You would consume a specific study beverage for 8 to 14 weeks. Measurements will be taken at the beginning of the study, and again at weeks 4 and 8. If you have excessive weight, you'll have an additional assessment at week 14.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements will be taken at enrollment, and again at weeks 4 and 8 for all participants. Children with excessive weight will also complete an additional assessment at week 14.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05992688

The Sweet Kids Study (Stevia on Weight and Energy Effect Over Time)

Recruiting
NAAges 8–12InterventionalPrevention
Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
~150 participants
Updated 2025-12-22 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Sucrose sweetened beverageStevia sweetened beveragesCalorie free flavored water beverage

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Body mass index (BMI) z-scores
Measured over Measurements will be obtained at enrollment (baseline) and again at weeks 4 and 8 for all participants. Children with excessive weight will also complete an additional assessment at week 14.
+4 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Adiposity
Insulin Sensitivity
Weight Gain
Blood Pressure
Lipoproteins

Explore related trials

ObesityOverweight

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
Arkansas2

Study leadership

  • Eva Diaz, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center

Who to contact

Eva C Diaz, M.D.
[email protected]
5013643056
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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)

Exclusion

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 symptoms under control.
Asthma that requires use of rescue inhalers (e.g., albuterol) \>2 days per week
Exercise induced asthma.
Autism spectrum disorder (e.g., Autistic disorder, Rett disorder, Asperger disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) currently under medication.
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
Epilepsy.
Cancer.
Chronic kidney disease.
Endocrine disorder (e.g., hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency).
Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, thyroiditis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
Chronic infections (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C).
Mental health disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety).
Type 2 and type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Other pre-existing medical conditions or medications as determined by the investigators to affect the outcomes of interest.
If, during the screening or consent process, the parent or child expresses refusal to have blood drawn. However, participants may remain in the study if after initially agreeing to the blood draw and enrolling they change their minds and choose not to allow blood draws or if blood draws are unsuccessful.
Dislike of study products assessed at initial visit.
Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl at enrollment.
Fasting A1C ≥6.5% at enrollment
Less than 2 months since completion of antibiotics

What this trial measures

  • Body mass index (BMI) z-scoresMeasurements will be obtained at enrollment (baseline) and again at weeks 4 and 8 for all participants. Children with excessive weight will also complete an additional assessment at week 14.

    The change in BMI z-score will be calculated: BMI z-score at completion of the study minus BMI z-score at baseline

  • Fat mass index z-scoresMeasurements will be obtained at enrollment (baseline) and again at weeks 4 and 8 for all participants. Children with excessive weight will also complete an additional assessment at week 14.

    The change in fat mass index (FMI) z-score will be calculated: FMI z-score at completion of the study minus FMI z-score at baseline.

  • Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR)Measurements will be obtained at enrollment (baseline) and again at weeks 4 and 8 for all participants. Children with excessive weight will also complete an additional assessment at week 14.

    HOMA-IR is a unitless estimate of insulin resistance, and it is calculated from fasting glucose and insulin

  • Fasting plasma lipids (Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol)Measurements will be obtained at enrollment (baseline) and again at weeks 4 and 8 for all participants. Children with excessive weight will also complete an additional assessment at week 14.

    Fasting plasma lipids, mg/dl

  • Blood pressure percentilesMeasurements will be obtained at enrollment (baseline) and again at weeks 4 and 8 for all participants. Children with excessive weight will also complete an additional assessment at week 14.

    Systolic and diastolic blood pressure percentiles calculated using reference standards from the American Academy of Pediatrics.