Effects of an intervention aimed at reducing the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages in primary school children: a controlled trial

BackgroundSince sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) may contribute to the development of overweight in children, effective interventions to reduce their consumption are needed. Here we evaluated the effect of a combined school- and community-based intervention aimed at reducing children inverted question marks SSB consumption by promoting the intake of water. Favourable intervention effects on children inverted question marks SSB consumption were hypothesized.MethodsIn 2011-2012, a controlled trial was conducted among four primary schools, comprising 1288 children aged 6-12 years who lived in multi-ethnic, socially deprived neighbourhoods in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Intervention schools adopted the `water campaign inverted question mark, an intervention developed using social marketing. Control schools continued with their regular health promotion programme. Primary outcome was children inverted question marks SSB consumption, measured using parent and child questionnaires and through observations at school, both at baseline and after one year of intervention.ResultsSignificant positive intervention effects were found for average SSB consumption (B -0.19 litres, 95%CI -0.28;-0.10; parent report), average SSB servings (B -0.54 servings, 95%CI -0.82;-0.26; parent report) and bringing SSB to school (OR 0.51, 95%CI 0.36;0.72; observation report).ConclusionsThis study supports the effectiveness of the water campaign intervention in reducing children inverted question marks SSB consumption. Further studies are needed to replicate our findings.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials: NTR3400.