Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults

Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults

Published on: July 16, 2016

Perceptions of Nonsugar Sweeteners and Nonsugar Sweetener Front-of-Package Labels Among Parents in the United States:

Natalie Vallone¹, Lindsey Smith Taillie², James W Krieger³

¹Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20052.

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

|September 12, 2025

Abstract

Background:

In light of efforts to decrease added sugar, the use of nonsugar sweeteners (NSS) in the food supply is increasing. Although there is concern about the health effects of NSS, particularly among children, little is known about parents' perceptions of NSS as replacements for added sugar and whether NSS front-of-package labels (FOPLs) influence parents' perceptions and purchasing intentions surrounding products with NSS.

Objective:

To examine parents' perceptions of sugar and NSS for their children and understand how parents perceive NSS FOPLs when making selections for their children.

Design:

Focus group discussions were conducted using a semistructured guide, informed by the health belief model, which included questions about parents' perceptions of the healthfulness of NSS for children; parents' understanding and perceptions of NSS FOPLs; and how various NSS FOPL formats would potentially influence parents' perceptions of product healthfulness. Parents were also shown hypothetical NSS FOPLs and asked for feedback.

Participants/Setting:

Nine focus group discussions were conducted virtually with parents (n = 66) of children aged 2 to 12 years, in the United States (US), in April 2024.

Analyses Performed:

Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and coded independently by 2 coders, after which themes were identified using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results:

Overarching themes were: parents try to limit their child's sugar intake and avoid providing products with artificial ingredients; parents had mixed views about the safety and healthfulness of NSS; parents perceived an NSS FOPL favorably, but they do not like the term diet sweeteners; and parents preferred an NSS FOPL that uses visual aids and communicates a recommendation.

Conclusions:

Despite having mixed perceptions about the safety and healthfulness of NSS for children, parents perceived NSS FOPLs as helpful for making informed beverage choices for their children. Future research examining the effects of NSS FOPLs on parents' product selections is needed to inform FOPL policies and increase transparency regarding the presence of NSS in products consumed by children.

Keywords:

Added sugars Artificial sweeteners Front-of-package labeling Nutrition Obesity

More Related Videos

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli

Published on: August 12, 2016

Psychophysical Tracking Method to Assess Taste Detection Thresholds in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: The Taste Detection Threshold TDT Test

Psychophysical Tracking Method to Assess Taste Detection Thresholds in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: The Taste Detection Threshold TDT Test

Published on: April 21, 2021

Related Concept Videos

The Physiology of Taste

The Physiology of Taste

The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the...

Gustation

Gustation

Gustation is a chemical sense that, along with olfaction (smell), contributes to our perception of taste. It starts with the activation of receptors by chemical compounds (tastants) dissolved in the saliva. The saliva and filiform papillae on the tongue distribute the tastants and increase their exposure to the taste receptors.

Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules

Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules

Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...

Glucose Transporters

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:

Convenience Sampling Method

Convenience Sampling Method

Sampling is a technique to select a portion (or subset) of the larger population and study that portion (the sample) to gain information about the population. Data are the result of sampling from a population. The sampling method ensures that samples are drawn without bias and accurately represent the population.
Convenience sampling is a non-random method of sample selection; this method selects individuals that are easily accessible and may result in biased data. For example, a marketing...

Taste Buds and Receptors

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Decreasing Young Children's Sugar Intake Through Pediatricians and Social Marketing (DC-SIPPY): Formative Research to Inform an Intervention to Reduce Sugary Drink Intake Among Black Young Children in Washington, D.C.

American journal of health promotion : AJHP·2026

Trends in the Prevalence of Foods High in Saturated Fats, Sodium, and Added Sugars among U.S. adults, NHANES 2007-2018.

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·2026

Warning Labels for Nonnutritive Sweeteners: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Chilean Parents.

Current developments in nutrition·2026

Testing Front-of-Package Labels on Packaged Food for Adult and Adolescent Population in Bangladesh.

Current developments in nutrition·2026

Marketing Practices and Nutrition Content of Toddler Milk Across the Americas.

Pediatrics·2026

Effect of food swap recommendations on the healthfulness and carbon footprint of grocery purchases in a naturalistic online store: A randomized parallel trial.

PLoS medicine·2026

See all related articles