Preventing childhood obesity by reducing consumption of carbonated drinks: cluster randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if a school based educational programme aimed at reducing consumption of carbonated drinks can prevent excessive weight gain in children.


METHODS
Cluster randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Six primary schools in southwest England.


METHODS
644 children aged 7-11 years.


METHODS
Focused educational programme on nutrition over one school year.


METHODS
Drink consumption and number of overweight and obese children.


RESULTS
Consumption of carbonated drinks over three days decreased by 0.6 glasses (average glass size 250 ml) in the intervention group but increased by 0.2 glasses in the control group (mean difference 0.7, 95% confidence interval 0.1 to 1.3). At 12 months the percentage of overweight and obese children increased in the control group by 7.5%, compared with a decrease in the intervention group of 0.2% (mean difference 7.7%, 2.2% to 13.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
A targeted, school based education programme produced a modest reduction in the number of carbonated drinks consumed, which was associated with a reduction in the number of overweight and obese children.
James
Janet
J
Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Dorset BH7 7DW. janet.james@rbch-tr.swest.nhs.uk
Thomas
Peter
P
Cavan
David
D
Kerr
David
D
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*