# A novel sugar-sweetened beverage reduction intervention for Native American men

> **NIH NIH R56** · ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP · 2021 · $195,316

## Abstract

Project Summary
 In the United States, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is the largest single food source of calories.
The intake of SSB is disproportionately high among Native Americans (NA). There are strong and consistent
data documenting relationships among high SSB consumption and numerous health issues (e.g. obesity,
diabetes, cancers, heart disease); NA bear a disproportionate burden of all of these health issues, particularly
NA men.
 NA health must be considered within a broader historical context of colonialism that has contributed to
the existing social determinants of health landscape in which NAs live. Incorporating this historical context is
critical to meaningfully address health inequities within NA populations. Yet few studies have integrated NA
values with social determinants of health, historical context, and dietary change using a tribally-guided,
culturally-appropriate approach.
 We will target the major dietary risk factor of SSB, in addition to noticeable gaps in understanding the
role of colonialism in NA health behavior inequities. Developed and tested by this research team, SIPsmartER
is an SSB intervention that reduced SSB intake by 227kcal (-326,-127) per day in a rural, predominately White
and female population from baseline to 6 months. We propose to adapt and integrate SIPsmartER within the
traditional NA activity of lacrosse through a theoretical framework that connects NA historical context with
health inequities to create SIPsmartER Lacrosse. Among NA, lacrosse is an ancestral activity associated with
well-being. Our tribal leaders have asked for a dietary intervention that would target multiple health conditions
while acknowledging social determinants of health. These leaders suggested building on the game of lacrosse,
as this activity engages NA men regularly.
 We will adapt SIPsmartER into SIPsmartER Lacrosse. We will develop a theoretical framework that
links the historical consequences of colonialism with current inequities in NA health outcomes, including SSB
intake. We will then use a cluster RCT that targets 60 men nested within six lacrosse teams from two rural
reservations/territories from the Seneca Nation of Indians. The overall goal is to the examine the preliminary
efficacy of SIPsmartER Lacrosse in a 2 group (SIPsmartER Lacrosse vs. alternative treatment control) by 3
assessment (Baseline, 6-month, 18-month) design. Specific Aim 1: Create an evidence-based culturally
appropriate SSB intervention for NA men that integrates their unique historical context in adapting SIPsmartER
to SIPsmartER Lacrosse. Specific Aim 2: Implement and determine the initial efficacy of SIPsmartER
Lacrosse to reduce SSB consumption.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10264122
- **Project number:** 5R56NR019498-02
- **Recipient organization:** ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP
- **Principal Investigator:** Rodney C Haring
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $195,316
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10264122

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10264122, A novel sugar-sweetened beverage reduction intervention for Native American men (5R56NR019498-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10264122. Licensed CC0.

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