Abstract

LIMA, João et al. The sugar you eat when you drink: impact of an awareness strategy. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2016, n.4, pp.18-22. ISSN 2183-5985.  https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2015.0404.

Introduction: Obesity is one of the more serious health problems worldwide. Finding solutions to the designated epidemic of the twenty-first century persists, and the relationship between the consumption of sweetened beverages and body weight became a relevant issue. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of an awareness strategy about the content of simple sugars present on a range of drinks available in the cafeteria. Methodology: The sales of a range of beverages were analyzed, before and after intervention. The intervention was based on the exposure of a framework with drinks and the representation of the amount of simple sugars, in sugar, under the motto “The sugar that you eat when you drink”. An analysis of proportion of sales, with a confidence interval of 95% was performed. Results: After statistical analysis of the ratios was observed a statistically significant reduction in the number of units sold of soft drinks, coca-cola and carbonated drinks. In addition, there was an increase in the number of units sold, with statistical significance, of fruit nectars, tea / infusions and chocolate milk. Conclusions: The intervention in the cafeteria of the Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo de Coimbra was successful with an effective reduction in sales of sweetened beverages.

Keywords : Sugar; Sweetened Beverages; Awareness strategy; Obesity.

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