A choice architecture intervention targeting school meals and water frequency intake: A school-based randomized trial.

Our aim was to evaluate the impact of choice architecture on school meals and water intake frequency. We conducted a school-based randomized trial in seven elementary municipal public schools (control = 3; intervention = 4) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The interventions group received the following modifications: (1) banner of the daily school meal menu and two superheroes, (2) waterproof tablecloths, (3) posters on healthy eating habits, (4) displays with playful names, (5) new containers for fruits, and (6) colored footprints for one month. Changes in school meals and daily water frequency consumption were evaluated through intention-to-treat analyses, using generalized estimating equations models for repeated measures, considering the classes' cluster effect. Data from 974 students in the fifth and sixth elementary school grades were analyzed (control = 356; intervention = 618). At baseline, 47.1% of students were female, with a mean age of 12 years (SD = 1.4), 39.2% reported daily consumption of school meals, and 45.7% consumed water from the school drinking fountain three or more times a day. We observed an increase in the odds of daily water intake in the intervention group compared to the control (OR = 1.4 95% CI = 1.1-1.9), no changes in the school meals (OR = 1.2 95% CI = 0.9; 1.6). Low-complexity strategies based on choice architecture applied in the school environment can be promising in increasing water intake frequency among elementary students in public schools. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered on the Clinicaltrials.gov platform under the number NCT03136016. Access: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03136016.

Dietary patterns of Brazilian adults in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVES: To identify dietary patterns among Brazilian adults based on the National Dietary Surveys (INA - Inquéritos Nacionais de Alimentação) in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018, and to verify in the second period the adherence to the patterns according to sociodemographic factors and Brazilian regions. METHODS: We analyzed the first of two days of adults' food consumption (19-59 years) in INA data from 2008-2009 (n = 21,630) and 2017-2018 (n = 28,901). Dietary patterns were derived by exploratory factor analysis from 19 food groups, considering the complexity of the sample design. We evaluated the factor scores according to sex, age group, region, per capita income, and education for the INA data in 2017-2018. RESULTS: We identified three patterns in the two surveys: (1) "traditional", characterized by rice, beans, and meat; (2) "breads and butter/margarine", characterized by breads, oils, and fats (including margarine/butter) and, coffee and teas in 2008-2009; and (3) "western", characterized by sodas, pizzas, snacks, flour, pasta, and sweets in 2017-2018. The "traditional" pattern had greater adherence among men, residents of the Midwest region and individuals with incomplete primary education. "Bread and butter/margarine" pattern had greater adherence among males, individuals aged between 40 and 59 years, from the Southeast region, and with income between 1 and 2 minimum wages per capita. Male individuals, aged between 19 and 39 years, from the South region, with per capita income greater than two minimum wages, and education level equal to or greater than primary education showed greater adherence to the "western" pattern. CONCLUSION: The dietary patterns identified in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018 were similar, and we observed the maintenance of the "traditional" pattern, which includes rice, beans, and meat. Adherence to the dietary patterns varies according to sex, age group, region, per capita income, and education level.

Dietary patterns of Brazilian adults in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018 / Padrões alimentares de adultos brasileiros em 2008-2009 e 2017-2018

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES To identify dietary patterns among Brazilian adults based on the National Dietary Surveys (INA - Inquéritos Nacionais de Alimentação) in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018, and to verify in the second period the adherence to the patterns according to sociodemographic factors and Brazilian regions. METHODS We analyzed the first of two days of adults' food consumption (19-59 years) in INA data from 2008-2009 (n = 21,630) and 2017-2018 (n = 28,901). Dietary patterns were derived by exploratory factor analysis from 19 food groups, considering the complexity of the sample design. We evaluated the factor scores according to sex, age group, region, per capita income, and education for the INA data in 2017-2018. RESULTS We identified three patterns in the two surveys: (1) "traditional", characterized by rice, beans, and meat; (2) "breads and butter/margarine", characterized by breads, oils, and fats (including margarine/butter) and, coffee and teas in 2008-2009; and (3) "western", characterized by sodas, pizzas, snacks, flour, pasta, and sweets in 2017-2018. The "traditional" pattern had greater adherence among men, residents of the Midwest region and individuals with incomplete primary education. "Bread and butter/margarine" pattern had greater adherence among males, individuals aged between 40 and 59 years, from the Southeast region, and with income between 1 and 2 minimum wages per capita. Male individuals, aged between 19 and 39 years, from the South region, with per capita income greater than two minimum wages, and education level equal to or greater than primary education showed greater adherence to the "western" pattern. CONCLUSION The dietary patterns identified in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018 were similar, and we observed the maintenance of the "traditional" pattern, which includes rice, beans, and meat. Adherence to the dietary patterns varies according to sex, age group, region, per capita income, and education level.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS Identificar padrões alimentares entre adultos brasileiros a partir dos Inquéritos Nacionais de Alimentação (INA) 2008-2009 e 2017-2018, verificando, nesse último período, a aderência aos padrões de acordo com fatores sociodemográficos e regiões brasileiras. MÉTODOS Foram analisados dados do primeiro de dois dias de consumo alimentar de adultos (19-59 anos de idade) entrevistados nos INA 2008-2009 (n = 21.630) e 2017-2018 (n = 28.901). Os padrões alimentares foram derivados por análise fatorial exploratória a partir de 19 grupos de alimentos, considerando a complexidade do desenho amostral. Para o INA 2017-2018, os escores fatoriais foram avaliados de acordo com sexo, faixa etária, região, renda per capita e escolaridade. RESULTADOS Foram identificados três padrões nos dois inquéritos: (1) "tradicional", caracterizado por arroz, feijão e carnes; (2) "pães e manteiga/margarina", caracterizado por pães, óleos e gorduras (incluindo margarina/manteiga) e, em 2008-2009, café e chás; e (3) "ocidental", caracterizado por refrigerantes e pizzas e salgados, além de farinhas e massas e doces em 2017-2018. O padrão "tradicional" teve maior aderência entre homens, moradores da região Centro-Oeste e indivíduos com ensino fundamental incompleto. Para o padrão "pães e manteiga/margarina", observou-se maior aderência entre o sexo masculino, indivíduos com idade entre 40 e 59 anos, da região Sudeste e com renda entre 1 e 2 salários-mínimos per capita. Indivíduos do sexo masculino, com idades entre 19 e 39 anos, da região Sul, com renda per capita maior que dois salários-mínimos e escolaridade igual ou maior que o ensino fundamental foram os que apresentaram maior adesão ao padrão "ocidental". CONCLUSÃO Os padrões alimentares identificados em 2008-2009 e 2017-2018 foram similares, com manutenção do padrão "tradicional", que inclui arroz, feijão e carnes. A adesão aos padrões varia de acordo com sexo, faixa etária, região, renda per capita e escolaridade.

Impacto de intervenção baseada em arquitetura de escolhas no consumo de alimentação escolar e de água: ensaio randomizado de base escolar / Impact of an intervention based on choice architecture in school feeding and water intake: school-based randomized trial

Considerar o contexto e o ambiente em que os indivíduos realizam suas escolhas é uma possível estratégia para melhorar escolhas alimentares. A partir do conceito de arquitetura de escolhas, têm sido sugeridas intervenções que influenciem positivamente as decisões dos indivíduos, promovendo assim hábitos alimentares saudáveis. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o impacto de uma intervenção baseada em arquitetura de escolhas aplicada em refeitórios e bebedouros escolares sobre o consumo da alimentação escolar e de água. Foi conduzido um ensaio comunitário randomizado em sete escolas públicas (três do grupo controle e quatro do grupo intervenção) do município de Duque de Caxias/RJ no ano de 2017, com escolares do quinto e do sexto ano. As escolas do grupo intervenção foram expostas a alterações no ambiente escolar baseadas em estratégias de arquitetura de escolhas que incluíram: (1) confecção de um banner colorido para o cardápio diário da alimentação escolar, posicionado na parte externa do refeitório; (2) colocação de toalhas de mesa impermeáveis no refeitório; (3) confecção de displays e cartazes com frases e imagens de incentivo a hábitos alimentares saudáveis; (4) alocação de recipientes grandes e transparentes para as frutas permanecerem em destaque no refeitório; (5) elaboração de dois personagens super-heróis para incentivo ao consumo de água, frutas e verduras e; (6) inclusão de pegadas coloridas no chão que direcionavam ao refeitório e ao bebedouro escolar. A fim de avaliar o efeito da intervenção, após um mês de exposição, sobre a taxa de variação no tempo do consumo da alimentação escolar, do consumo diário de água e do consumo diário de água no bebedouro escolar, foram realizadas análises longitudinais, por intenção de tratamento, utilizando modelos de equações de estimação generalizadas para medidas repetidas. Ao todo, foram analisados dados de 982 escolares (grupo controle=363; grupo intervenção=619). Na linha de base, cerca de 46,9% dos escolares eram do sexo feminino, com idade média de 12 anos, 39,3% relataram consumo diário da alimentação escolar, 54,9% consumiam cinco ou mais copos de água ao dia e 45,7% consumiam água no bebedouro escolar três ou mais vezes ao dia. Houve aumento significativo na chance de aumentar o consumo diário de água no bebedouro escolar no grupo intervenção quando comparado ao grupo controle (OR= 1,42 IC95%= 1,05; 1,93). Para as demais variáveis de desfecho, o efeito não foi significativo. No que diz respeito ao consumo de água, estratégias de baixo custo e complexidade, baseadas no conceito de arquitetura de escolhas, podem ser promissoras para a promoção do seu consumo no ambiente escolar.

To consider the context and environment in which individuals make their choices is a possible strategy for improving food choices. Based on the concept of choice architecture, interventions focused on positively influencing individual's decisions have been suggested to promote healthy food habits. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of an intervention based on choice architecture applied in school cafeterias and drinking fountains on the consumption of school feeding and water. A randomized community trial was conducted in seven public schools (three in the control group and four in the intervention group) in the municipality of Duque de Caxias/RJ in 2017, with fifth and sixth grade students The schools in the intervention group were exposed to changes in the school environment based on choice architecture strategies that included: (1) elaboration of a colorful banner for the daily school feeding menu, positioned outside the cafeteria; (2) placing waterproof tablecloths in the cafeteria tables; (3) manufacture of displays and posters with phrases and images to encourage healthy food habits; (4) allocation of large transparent containers with fruits to draw attention to it in the cafeteria; (5) elaboration of two superheroes characters to encourage the consumption of water, fruits and vegetables, and; (6) inclusion of colored footprints on the floor that led to the cafeteria and the school drinking fountain. In order to evaluate the effect of the intervention, after one month of exposure, on the time variation rate of school feeding, total daily water consumption and daily water consumption in the school drinking fountain, longitudinal analyzes were performed, considering groups intention to treat, using generalized estimating equations models for repeated measures. Data from 982 students were analyzed (control group = 363; intervention group = 619). At baseline, about 46.9% of all students were female, with an average age of 12 years, 39.3% reported daily consumption of school feeding, 54.9% consumed five or more glasses of water a day and 45.7% consumed water at the school drinking fountain three or more times a day. There was a significant increase in the odds of increasing daily water consumption in the school drinking fountain in the intervention group when compared to the control group (OR = 1.42 95% CI = 1.05; 1.93). It wasn't observed significant effects for further outcome variables. Regard water consumption, low cost and low complexity strategies based on choice architecture can be promising to improve water consumption in the school environment.

Papass clinical trial protocol: a multi-component school-based intervention study to increase acceptance and adherence to school feeding.

BACKGROUND: One of the largest school feeding programs in the world is the National School Feeding Program of Brazil. However, results from the 2012 National School Health Survey indicated that only 22.8% of 9th grade students in Brazilian public school system consumed school meals. The literature presents few studies aiming to promote healthy food consumption in the school environment from interventions, which found inconclusive results. Thus, this study aims to present a protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-component school-level interventions to increase adherence and acceptance to school feeding. METHODS: School-based multi-component clinical trial with students from 4th-9h grade from 3 municipal schools of Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2019. The study design will be parallel, with 3 arms: Control group (without intervention); Intervention group 1 (changes in school environment) and Intervention group 2 (changes in menu and school environment). Interventions in the environment will be based on the principles of choices architecture and, the modification in the dishes that make up the menus offered to the students, on the factors that contribute to poor adherence and acceptance to school feeding, identified by focus groups. Adherence to school feeding will be assessed through a specific question in the questionnaire directed to the frequency of consuming school meals in the week, applied by researchers in three moments. Acceptance will be assessed from the acceptability test application with dishes served to students during the year. Statistical analyses will be performed using generalized linear models, which will be used to assess the impact of the intervention, and will include 3 main variables: intervention, time and the intervention x time interaction. DISCUSSION: This study will investigate if the impact of the implementation of interventions in the environment and in the dishes served to students may increase adherence and acceptance to school feeding. Positive results could show the effect of implementing interventions throughout Sumidouro's public school system, as well as throughout the country, aiming to improve the consumption of school meals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, RBR-7mf794. Date of registration: December 27, 2018.