Students of the 6. Grade Clinical Trial
Official title:
Impact on Drinking Behaviour in Sixth-grade Students Through Changing the School Environment
This study evaluates the effect of changes in the range of drinks offered in vending machines in schools on the sugar intake of pupils via drinks.
Children and adolescents consume a considerable amount of liquid in the form of sugary
drinks. A high sugar diet associated not only with the increase in overweight children, but
also with type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
In many schools, cold drink vending machines with different fillings are available offering
various sugary drinks.
Participating schools will be randomised in a ratio of 1:1:1 into three groups. In one
intervention group, the vending machines will be re-equipped to contain 60% drinks containing
a maximum of 6.7g sugar/100ml, 20% drinks containing more than 6.7g sugar/100ml and 20%
water. In the second intervention group, the vending machines offer 80% water, 20% products
with a maximum of 6.7g sugar/100ml. In the control group, the range of products offered by
the vending machines remains unchanged. Information of the students drinking habits, total
fluid intake and sugar intake in the form of food and drinks will be collected. In addition,
data such as body height, body weight, physical activity and socio-democratic or
socio-economic data will be accumulated. The sales figures of the drinks in the vending
machines will be recorded and information about the surroundings of the schools (fast food
chains, supermarkets, etc.) will be collected.
The survey of students and data collection will be repeated three times. In a sub-study,
demographic data and the frequency of consumption of sugared beverages and water are
collected from 2 focus groups. In addition, participants will complete a questionnaire on
general attitudes towards sugary drinks or water, obstacles to and incentives for reducing
sugar consumption by liquids or increasing water consumption.
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