Evaluating the implementation and customer acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverage reduction initiative in thirty Australian aquatic and recreation centres

Abstract

Objective: To assess the feasibility of implementation, and customer perspectives of, a sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) reduction initiative across YMCA Victoria aquatic and recreation centres. Design: Two data sources were used to assess implementation and customer acceptability. Photo audits were used to assess the type of drinks available for purchase six months prior to initiative implementation and 6 months after, in 30 centres. Change in the range of SSBs targeted for removal, non-targeted SSBs, as well as drinks classified as red’ (limit), ‘amber’ (choose carefully) and ‘green’ (best choice), were reported. Customer surveys were conducted in three centres to assess acceptability and awareness of the initiative. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was used to analyse customers’ perspectives of the initiative. Setting: 30 aquatic and recreation centres in Victoria, Australia Participants: 806 customers Results: Post-implementation, 87% of centres had removed targeted SSBs. ‘Red’ drinks reduced by an average of 4.4 drink varieties compared to pre-implementation (11.9 varieties) and ‘green’ drinks increased by 1.4 varieties (3.2 varieties pre-implementation). Customers were largely unaware of the SSB-reduction initiative (90%) but supported YMCA Victoria in continuing the initiative (89%), with many believing it would support children in making healthier choices. Conclusions: Implementation of an initiative that limited SSB availability across a large number of aquatic and recreation centres was feasible and considered acceptable by customers. Customers frequently mentioned the importance of protecting children from consuming SSBs.

Understanding Enablers and Barriers to the Implementation of Nutrition Standards in Publicly Funded Institutions in Victoria

“…Evaluations of changes in foods and drinks available as a result of full or partial guideline implementation in small samples of Victorian publicly funded institutions have illustrated positive changes to food environments and food purchases [22,23]. For example, 33% of Victorian YMCAs (Young Men's Christian Association) included in an evaluation had removed all sugar-sweetened beverages from their aquatic and recreation centres in 2015 [22], and implementing the HCGs in vending machines across three hospitals resulted in a 56% decrease in sales of unhealthy drinks [23]. However, there is no statewide data on guideline implementation or evaluation [24], and these are likely to be low based on evidence from across Australian jurisdictions [11,25,26].…”

Evaluation of the introduction of a healthy food and drink policy in 13 community recreation centres on the healthiness and nutrient content of customer purchases and business outcomes: An observational study

“…The policy used an interpretive traffic light system and set a target of >50% of menu items to be classified ‘green’ (best choice), <10% to be classified ‘red’(limit), with the remaining items to be classified as ‘amber’ (choose carefully) [ 9 ]. A previous mixed methods study focusing on the sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) reduction aspect of the policy in centres managed by this organisation, found that 89% of customers surveyed (n = 806) supported maintenance of the policy [ 11 ]. The full introduction of this policy allowed for evaluation of its impact on business outcomes, and the healthiness and nutrient contents (both food and drink items) of customer purchases, in a natural experiment setting.…”