title: A Brief Educational Intervention Increases Knowledge of the Sugar Content of Foods and Drinks but Does Not Decrease Intakes in Scottish Children Aged 10-12 Years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve children's knowledge of the sugar content of food and beverages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cluster-randomized, controlled trial with 268 children (aged 10-12 years) from 14 primary schools in Aberdeen, Scotland. The intervention group received 2 interactive classroom sessions about sugar. A questionnaire to assess knowledge was completed at baseline and 4, 10, and 34 weeks postintervention. Dietary intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire at baseline and on weeks 10 and 34.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, the intervention group demonstrated greater knowledge of sugar than did the control group (P < .001), which was sustained at week 34 (P < .001). Dietary intakes of sugar did not change postintervention. Pre-intervention children underestimated the sugar content of fruit-based beverages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children's knowledge of sugar in food and beverages is limited but can be improved through a simple educational intervention. Further intervention would be needed to encourage a change in dietary intake.
authors.affiliation: Learning Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address: 8063.t.l.griffin.1@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Tania L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.affiliation: Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McNeill
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lorna S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Aucott
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jennie I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Macdiarmid
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates
keywords: children; cluster-randomized controlled trial; knowledge; sugar