Abstract
BackgroundBoth the prevalence of childhood obesity and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have increased globally. The present review describes interventions that reduce the consumption of SSBs in children and determines whether this leads to subsequent changes in body fatness.MethodsThree databases were searched from 2000 to August 2013. Only intervention control trials, ≥6 months in duration, which aimed to reduce the consumption of SSBs in >100 children aged 2–18 years, and reporting changes in body fatness, were included. The quality of selected papers was assessed.ResultsEight studies met inclusion criteria. Six interventions achieved significant (P < 0.05) reductions in SSB intake, although this was not always sustained. In the two interventions providing replacement drinks, significant differences in body mass index (12- or 18-month follow-up) were reported (P = 0.001 and 0.045). The risk of being overweight/obesity was reduced (P < 0.05) in three of the five education programmes but in one programme only for girls who were overweight at baseline and in one programme only for pupils perceived to be at greater risk at baseline. In the one study that included both provision of water and education, the risk of being overweight was reduced by 31% (P = 0.04) in the intervention group.ConclusionsThe evidence suggests that school-based education programmes focusing on reducing SSB consumption, but including follow-up modules, offer opportunities for implementing effective, sustainable interventions. Peer support and changing the school environment (e.g. providing water or replacement drinks) to support educational programmes could improve their effectiveness. Home delivery of more suitable drinks has a big impact on reducing SSB consumption, with associated reductions in body weight.
Highlights
Childhood obesity is a major public health problem in many countries across the world
Trials, published in English from 2000 onwards, were included in this review if they met certain criteria: (i) the trial involves ≥100 healthy children, including healthy weight, overweight and obese participants, aged between 2–18 years; (ii) the intervention includes a focus on reducing consumption of sugary drinks; (iii) control data are available for comparison; (iv) the results report on the change in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) AND changes in body fatness; and (v) the study comprises an intervention study period of ≥6 months in duration
Interventions targeting the consumption of sugarsweetened beverages The present review identified eight studies which met the strict inclusion criteria (Fig. 1) and included interventions focused on reducing the consumption of SSBs with data on changes in body fatness reported (Table 1)
Summary
Childhood obesity is a major public health problem in many countries across the world. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Dietetic Association Both the prevalence of childhood obesity and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have increased globally. The present review describes interventions that reduce the consumption of SSBs in children and determines whether this leads to subsequent changes in body fatness. Intervention control trials, ≥6 months in duration, which aimed to reduce the consumption of SSBs in >100 children aged 2–18 years, and reporting changes in body fatness, were included. In the one study that included both provision of water and education, the risk of being overweight was reduced by 31% (P = 0.04) in the intervention group. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that school-based education programmes focusing on reducing SSB consumption, but including follow-up modules, offer opportunities for implementing effective, sustainable interventions. Home delivery of more suitable drinks has a big impact on reducing SSB consumption, with associated reductions in body weight
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