A school based programme to reduce carbonated drink consumption reduced obesity in children
Q Does a school based educational programme aimed at reducing consumption of carbonated drinks prevent excessive weight gain in children?
METHODS
Design:
cluster randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
unclear allocation concealment.
Blinding:
unblinded.
Follow up period:
1 year.
Setting:
6 junior schools in the UK.
Participants:
644 children 7–11 years of age (mean age 9 y, 50% boys) in 29 classes. Each class formed a cluster.
Intervention:
school based educational programme (intervention) (15 clusters, n = 325) or no intervention (14 clusters, n = 319). The intervention comprised four 1 hour sessions (1 each term) that focused on discouraging consumption of carbonated drinks. Teachers assisted in sessions and reinforced the message during lessons. The first session focused …
