To compare two added-sugar menu label--(1) red, icon-only, 150% of the menu text height and (2) black, icon-plus-text, 100% of the menu text height--to a no-label control on grams of added sugar ordered using two different added-sugar labeling thresholds: (1) ≥50% of Daily Value for added sugar (equivalent to ≥25g) and (2) ≥100% of Daily Value for added sugar (equivalent to ≥50g)

The main goal of this study is to compare two added-sugar menu labels--(1) red, icon-only, 150% of the menu text height and (2) black, icon-plus-text, 100% of the menu text height--to a no-label control on grams of added sugar ordered using two different added-sugar labeling thresholds: (1) ≥50% of Daily Value for added sugar (equivalent to ≥25g) and (2) ≥100% of Daily Value for added sugar (equivalent to ≥50g). This results in 5 conditions: (1) icon-only at 50% threshold, (2) icon-plus-text at 50% threshold, (3) icon-only at 100% threshold, (4) icon-plus-text at 100% threshold, and (5) no-label control.

The two primary outcomes are (1) grams of added sugar ordered averaged across a fast-food and full-service restaurant menus and (2) grams of added sugar ordered from a café menu. The secondary outcomes are (1) noticing a high added sugar nutrition label and (2) knowledge of items' added sugar content.

For continuous outcomes (e.g., grams of added sugar, knowledge), linear regression models regressing the outcome on an indicator for experimental condition will be used. If the outcomes are not normally distributed, alternative modeling approaches or data transformations will be explored. For dichotomous outcomes (e.g., noticing the added-sugar label), the probability ratio will be modeled using Poisson regression with a robust error variance, regressing the outcome on an indicator for experimental condition.

Exploration of effect modification of the labels on primary outcomes by type 2 diabetes status and sociodemographic variables important for health equity will be conducted using interaction terms and stratified models.

Exploratory process outcomes include (1) selection of at least one item that contains ≥50% of the Daily Value of added sugar and (2) selection of at least one item that contains ≥100% of Daily Value of added sugar. Other exploratory outcomes include the perception that the labels grabbed attention and support for an added sugars warning label policy. Additionally, differences in the primary outcomes between each of the 5 unique conditions will be examined. If there is evidence of interactions, the modeling approach will be modified.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Equal or greater than 18 years of age
• English-speaking
• U.S. residents
• Have eaten restaurant food at least once in the last month
• Participants will reflect the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates for sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failing the attention check question
• Completing the survey in less than 33% of the median completion time

All variables used in the results of this study (experimental condition and individual level data on reactions to, perceptions of, and hypothetical behaviors in response to added-sugar menu label designs).

The IPD will be available no later than 6 months post-publication of all related research or 18 months from the end date of the award funding this work. The IPD will be available for approximately 5 years (depending constraints of the repository).

Data will be deposited in an NIH-supported repository, access to which will be described on the principal investigator's website. A data sharing agreement will be required to ensure that the data will only be used for non-commercial research purposes.