title: Ability of a mass media campaign to influence knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about sugary drinks and obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the impact of a mass media campaign that was designed to educate residents about the amount of added sugars in soda and other sugary drinks, as well as the health impacts of consuming such drinks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The campaign was implemented in Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon in 2011 and included paid and unpaid media on the web, television, billboards, and transit. A telephone survey (n=402) measured campaign awareness, attitudes toward obesity, knowledge about health problems of excessive sugar, and behavioral intentions and behaviors around soda and sugary drink consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 80% of people who were aware of the media campaign intended to reduce the amount of soda or sugary drinks they offered to a child as a result of the campaign ads. Those who were aware of the campaign were more likely to agree that too much sugar causes health problems (97.3% vs. 85.9%). There was no significant change in self-reported soda consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Media campaigns about sugary drinks and obesity may be effective for raising awareness about added sugars in beverages, increasing knowledge about health problems associated with excessive sugar consumption, and prompting behavioral intentions to reduce soda and sugary drink consumption.
authors: Program Design and Evaluation Services, Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, 827 NE Oregon Street, Suite 250, Portland, OR 97232, USA. Electronic address: myde.boles@state.or.us.
authors: Myde
authors: M
authors: Boles
authors: Multnomah County Health Department, Community Wellness & Prevention, 10317 E. Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97216, USA. Electronic address: adelle.adams@multco.us.
authors: Adelle
authors: A
authors: Adams
authors: Multnomah County Health Department, 426 SW Stark Street, Portland, OR 97204, USA. Electronic address: amy.gredler@multco.us.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Gredler
authors: Multnomah County Health Department, 426 SW Stark Street, Portland, OR 97204, USA.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Manhas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001628:Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009922:Oregon; D017678:Sex Distribution; D061108:Social Media; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019422:Dietary Sucrose
keywords: Mass media campaign; Public health; Sugar-sweetened beverages; Sugary drinks