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Food InsecurityOPT-TEENNCT07815015

Optimization Trial to Empower sElection of Nutritious Foods

A study testing Video Tutorial, Delivery Fee Waiver and Youth-led Wellness Program in people with Food Insecurity and Healthy Eating, run by New York University.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic youth compared to their White peers. Although prediabetes can rapidly progress, youth who maintain or lose weight are able to revert the condition. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 12 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Food Insecurity, Healthy Eating
What is being tested?
Video Tutorial, Delivery Fee Waiver and Youth-led Wellness Program
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
200 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 Jan 2027to 31 Dec 2030
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 12 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adult (> 21 years old)
  • Live in a household with a young child(ren) under the age of 18 years and above age 12
  • Youth must be 12 to 17 and at-risk for Type 2 Diabetes
  • Primary shopper for the household
  • Have access to a smartphone or computer to place online orders
  • Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the past year or income eligible (annual household income =< 130% of the federal poverty line)
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Agree to share itemized grocery receipts during the study (12 months)
  • Willing to order groceries online
  • English or Spanish speaker
  • Informed consent

Who cannot join

None listed.

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Angela Trude, PhD contact

212-988-5456

at5285@nyu.edu

Susam Ramos Deulofeutt contact

srd389@nyu.edu

About this study

Official title: OPT-TEEN: Optimization Trial to Empower sElection of Nutritious Foods

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic youth compared to their White peers. Although prediabetes can rapidly progress, youth who maintain or lose weight are able to revert the condition. Youth-led online Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPP) show promise for improving healthy behaviors, but alone does not address systemic barriers, such as affordability, availability, and accessibility of healthy foods, hindering adoption of lifestyle changes. Low-income Black and Hispanic youth are more likely to live in communities with low access to affordable and healthy foods, that protect against T2D. Online grocery shopping has the potential to improve access by addressing transportation barriers. However, delivery fees and digital literacy may unintentionally widen inequities. To address these gaps, this proposal will leverage existing national programs (USDA's Online Purchasing Pilot and online-DPP) to test three experimental components (Youth-led Online DPP, Financial Incentive, Instant Shoppable List). This work will aim to 1) conduct formative research to gather barriers, facilitators of fruit, vegetable, and legume (FVL) purchase and consumption among ethnically diverse, low-income families with youth (12-17 years old); 2) determine the combination of intervention components that maximizes the effect on household purchase and youth consumption of FVL and sugar. A multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) on a 23 factorial randomized, controlled study will estimate both individual and interactive effects of each intervention component. This research will generate new knowledge about behavioral, social, cultural, environmental, and policy factors that influence healthy eating, which can be used to address disparities in obesity and T2D among low-income youth.

Read the detailed description

OPT-TEEN will utilize the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST), a highly efficient methodological approach for intervention development, partnering with the private sector (Instacart) to leverage strategies from the public sector (SNAP) and test three experimental components designed to reduce barriers to online healthy food selection. These three components consist of 1) an online youth-led advocacy health promotion program (youth-led wellness program), 2) a weekly financial incentive match of up to $10 for purchasing fruits, vegetables, and legumes (FVL) online, and 3) weekly instant shoppable grocery lists featuring tailored meal suggestions using SNAP-Ed recipes. To promote equity in enrollment and support digital literacy, all participants will receive a baseline package during the 12-week intervention period, informed by a prior pilot study demonstrating that waiving delivery fees enabled more equitable participant enrollment and online grocery uptake, which includes waived online delivery fees, a tutorial video and setup call addressing digital literacy, a monthly service fee waiver (3 in total), and a monthly $5 stipend applied toward service fees (3 in total). A sample of 200 families with youth ages 12 to 17 who are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and living in low-income urban communities across New York City will be randomized to receive a specific combination of these experimental components for 12 weeks, with component effects tested immediately post-intervention and behavioral maintenance evaluated in the absence of the intervention (no fee waivers or experimental components) at 9 months post-intervention. Prior to implementation, formative research will be conducted to ensure cultural tailoring and youth relevance by holding 25 to 30 in-depth interviews with Bronx-serving policymakers, community-based organization (CBO) leaders, caregivers, and older youth (ages 18 to 22) with lived experience in the Bronx. These interviews will guide the development of all intervention materials and research procedures structured around six key dimensions of the Ecological Validity Model: language (wording and tone feedback on materials), persons (recruitment strategies and "buy-in" factors), metaphors (symbols and sayings that resonate), content (grocery items to address food insecurity and cultural appropriateness), methods (evaluation of text messages, online surveys, and delivery), and context (assessing barriers to participation and protocol adherence). Additionally, the team will conduct 2 to 3 focus group discussions with Bronx youth ages 12 to 22 to gather specific, targeted feedback on the youth-led advocacy health promotion program.

Being tested
Video Tutorial, Delivery Fee Waiver, Youth-led Wellness Program, Financial Incentive, Grocery List with Instant Shoppable SNAP-Ed Recipes
Keywords
MOST, Healthy eating, Online grocery purchase, SNAP

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Video TutorialBehavioural

    At the onset of the intervention, all participants will receive tutorial videos via text, covering Instacart account setup, online item selection, and SNAP-eligible stores, aiming to improve digital literacy in grocery shopping. The video was developed by the research team, reviewed by SNAP-Ed partners, and available in English and Spanish. Despite being considered helpful during the pilot, nearly half of the participants reported not receiving or watching the tutorial video. To address this, the research team will call all participants within the trial's first week to provide technical assistance, including step-by-step instructions on redemption of the free delivery membership. Phone follow-ups were well-received during the pilot. Also, an intervention package will be mailed to all participants as material to be referred to in the calls and throughout the intervention.

  • Delivery Fee WaiverBehavioural

    All participants will receive a 12-week Instacart+ Membership e-gift card, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total) and a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) eliminating the online delivery fee for orders >$10.

  • Youth-led Wellness ProgramBehavioural

    The participants who are 12 to 17 years of age and are randomized to this component will participate in an online WhatsApp peer-led advocacy group focused on health promotion. Over the 12 weeks, different themes will be covered on a weekly basis with participants receiving engagement prompts 2 to 3 times a week and weekly activities with the aim to increase knowledge and self-efficacy, fostering sustainable behavior change in nutritional habits. All messages and activities are evidence-based and use the Social Cognitive Theory Model.

  • Financial IncentiveBehavioural

    Participants randomized to this component (alone or in combination with another experimental condition) will receive $1 for each dollar spent on fresh, frozen, or canned FVL loaded onto Instacart Fresh Funds, verified based on the submitted online grocery receipt or data from Instacart. The incentive applies to online purchases only and will not be earned for in-store transactions. A maximum weekly matched incentive will be set to $10, following the local FV incentive NYC ("Get the Good Stuff"). Fresh Funds earned, supported by Instacart Health, is an infrastructure integrated with retailer payment systems. Incentives will only be used for purchases of healthier foods (FVL) predetermined by the research team, as it has been used by FV prescription programs.

  • Grocery List with Instant Shoppable SNAP-Ed RecipesBehavioural

    Participants randomized to this component will receive weekly SNAP-Ed-based meal plans with instant shoppable grocery lists tailored to household size, dietary, and cultural preferences. All recipes will emphasize FVL-based eating patterns with Hispanic cuisine influences that have FVL as primary ingredients. Grocery lists organized by store department and recipe, will reflect the nearest available in-store unit. For example, if one recipe calls for 1 cup of flour, a small flour bag will be added to the list. Weekly meal plans will be shared via text as a photo and mailed as hard copies, with instant shoppable lists generated through Instacart's List feature as a hyperlink. Links to the instant shoppable list will be shared via text. Upon clicking, grocery items will be pre-filled automatically in the participant's online shopping cart. Participants can modify items and quantities before checking out.

Study groups in NCT07815015
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Youth-led Wellness Group + Financial Incentive + Shoppable ListExperimentalOnline grocery delivery fee waiver, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study. Plus: 1) youth will participate in an online peer-led advocacy group focused on health promotion; 2) weekly match-up to $10 as a financial incentive for purchasing FVL online targeting loss aversion; 3) weekly instant shoppable grocery lists of culturally tailored meal suggestions using SNAP recipes targeted at impulse purchases.
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver; Behavioral: Youth-led Wellness Program; Behavioral: Financial Incentive; Behavioral: Grocery List with Instant Shoppable SNAP-Ed Recipes
Youth-led Wellness Program + Financial IncentiveExperimentalOnline grocer delivery fee waiver, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study. Plus: 1) youth will participate in an online peer-led advocacy group focused on health promotion; 2) weekly match-up to $10 as a financial incentive for purchasing FVL online targeting loss aversion;
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver; Behavioral: Youth-led Wellness Program; Behavioral: Financial Incentive
Youth-led Wellness ProgramExperimentalOnline grocer delivery fee waive, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study. Plus: 1) youth will participate in an online peer-led advocacy group focused on health promotion.
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver; Behavioral: Youth-led Wellness Program
Financial Incentive + Shoppable ListExperimentalOnline grocer delivery fee waiver, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study. Plus: 1) weekly match-up to $10 as a financial incentive for purchasing FVL online targeting loss aversion; 2) weekly instant shoppable grocery lists of culturally tailored meal suggestions using SNAP recipes targeted at impulse purchases.
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver; Behavioral: Financial Incentive; Behavioral: Grocery List with Instant Shoppable SNAP-Ed Recipes
Youth-led Wellness Program + Shoppable ListExperimentalOnline grocer delivery fee waiver, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study. Plus: 1) youth will participate in an online peer-led advocacy group focused on health promotion; 2) weekly instant shoppable grocery lists of culturally tailored meal suggestions using SNAP recipes targeted at impulse purchases.
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver; Behavioral: Youth-led Wellness Program; Behavioral: Grocery List with Instant Shoppable SNAP-Ed Recipes
Shoppable ListExperimentalOnline grocer delivery fee waiver, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study. Plus: 1) weekly instant shoppable grocery lists of culturally tailored meal suggestions using SNAP recipes targeted at impulse purchases.
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver; Behavioral: Grocery List with Instant Shoppable SNAP-Ed Recipes
Financial IncentiveExperimentalOnline grocer delivery fee waiver, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study. Plus: 1) weekly match-up to $10 as a financial incentive for purchasing FVL online targeting loss aversion.
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver; Behavioral: Financial Incentive
Delivery fee waived onlyActive comparatorOnline grocer delivery fee waiver, a monthly one-time use service fee waiver (3 in total), a monthly one-time use $5 stipend (3 in total) and a tutorial video addressing digital literacy will be constant components, meaning that it will be available to all participants in the study.
Receives: Behavioral: Video Tutorial; Behavioral: Delivery Fee Waiver

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Household Purchase of Fruit, Vegetable, and Legumes

    Change in household purchase of fruits, vegetables, and legumes (online and in-store) from baseline will be assessed via itemized grocery receipts obtained via text messages mid-intervention (6-week), post-intervention (12-week), and maintenance (12 months).

    Measured: 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 12 months

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Youth Consumption of Fruit, Vegetable, and Legumes

    Change in consumption of fruits and vegetables from baseline will be assessed via self-reported questionnaires utilizing the Block Food Frequency (FFQ) questionnaire for youth reported online at baseline, 12-week from baseline and 12-months from baseline.

    Measured: 12 weeks and 12 months

  2. Parent/Caregiver Consumption of Fruit, Vegetable, and Legumes

    Change in consumption of fruits and vegetables from baseline will be assessed via self-reported questionnaires utilizing the Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ) for adults reported online at baseline and 12-weeks from baseline.

    Measured: 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 Sep 2026
  2. Study start1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
200 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07815015
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB-FY2026-11088
Acronym
OPT-TEEN
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
20 Aug 2026
Last updated
11 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: At this time, there are no plans to share IPD due to limitations related to participant privacy, the sensitive nature of the data collected, and constraints in the informed consent process that do not allow for broad data sharing. While the investigators support data transparency, any future sharing would require additional ethical review and participant re-consent to ensure privacy protections are upheld.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Video Tutorial, Delivery Fee Waiver and Youth-led Wellness Program in people with Food Insecurity and Healthy Eating, run by New York University.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Angela Trude, PhD (212-988-5456, at5285@nyu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Household Purchase of Fruit, Vegetable, and Legumes (time frame: 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Sep 2026.

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