Reducing the Use of Sugar by School Lunch Cooks in Public Schools

Although Brazil is the largest producer and one of the world's largest consumers of sugar, research on sugar consumption is still a weak point among health indicators and there are no population studies to investigate the sugar intake in Brazilian population. Available data have shown reduction in the consumption of refined sugar (-37% between 1996 and 2003) but significant increase in consumption of soft drinks (400%), which constitute the main vehicle for consumption of added sugar. Moreover, studies have shown the adverse effects of excessive consumption of added sugar in dental caries and health, as excess energy intake hence in weight gain. Although several factors are associated with weight gain in adolescents, adults and elders, and several strategies have been released by both Brazil and International Agencies, as the Global Strategy, increased weight gain, particularly in adolescents, has been observed in several countries with large increase in Brazil, justifying specific projects to evaluate which messages, strategies and proposals for intervention would be effective.

• Nutritional education (Other), also known as Use and consumption of sugar, School lunch cooks: A nutritional education program was carried out during seven months of one school year aiming to reduce added sugar in school meals by the school lunch cooks and in their own consumption. All women in the intervention group participated in three sections about sugar consumption and one section on food labeling, as well as recipes competition of with reducing sugar. Printed material and gifts, such as mugs, refrigerator magnets and small purses with the logo of the campaign were given to the participants. All sections of education were delivered in the schools. The activities required 20 to 30 minutes and were facilitated by trained research assistants. Printed instructions and orientations on the facilitation process supported the assistants' efforts.
• Control (Other), also known as General sessions on health issues: The control group received only three one-hour general sessions on health issues.

Primary outcomes

• Sugar intake [10 months]: Reducing added sugar in the schools meals by school lunch cooks and in their sugar intake.

Sex: Female, ages: 18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Women who were working in the function of school lunch cook in the schools.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy, male.

• Rosely Sichieri, PhD, Principal investigator, Rio de Janeiro State University