Improving availability, promotion and purchase of fruit and vegetable and non sugar-sweetened drink products at community sporting clubs: a randomised trial

Abstract

BackgroundAmateur sporting clubs represent an attractive setting for health promotion. This study assesses the impact of a multi-component intervention on the availability, promotion and purchase of fruit and vegetable and non sugar -sweetened drink products from community sporting club canteens. We also assessed the impact the intervention on sporting club revenue from the sale of food and beverages.MethodA repeat cross-sectional, parallel group, cluster randomized controlled trial was undertaken with amateur community football clubs in New South Wales, Australia. The intervention was conducted over 2.5 winter sporting seasons and sought to improve the availability and promotion of fruit and vegetables and non sugar-sweetened drinks in sporting club canteens. Trial outcomes were assessed via telephone surveys of sporting club representatives and members.ResultsEighty five sporting clubs and 1143 club members participated in the study. Relative to the control group, at follow-up, clubs allocated to the intervention were significantly more likely to have fruit and vegetable products available at the club canteen (OR = 5.13; 95% CI 1.70-15.38), were more likely to promote fruit and vegetable selection using reduced pricing and meal deals (OR = 34.48; 95% CI 4.18-250.00) and members of intervention clubs were more likely to report purchase of fruit and vegetable (OR = 2.58 95% CI; 1.08-6.18) and non sugar -sweetened drink (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.09-2.25) products. There was no significant difference between groups in the annual club revenue from food and non-alcoholic beverage sales.ConclusionThe findings demonstrate that the intervention can improve the nutrition environment of sporting clubs and the purchasing behaviour of members.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12609000224224.

At-a-glance - "A tough sell": findings from a qualitative analysis on the provision of healthy foods in recreation and sports settings

“…In this intervention, resources were provided to an intervention group to help them change the food and beverage environment within sporting clubs, while the control group received no support. No significant differences in annual revenues were observed following the intervention between the control and intervention sporting clubs, 24 indicating that the intervention group did not lose revenue as a result of selling healthier options. This has also been found in research from Alberta.…”

“…22 Consistent with other Canadian studies, participants perceived healthy foods to be more expensive to purchase, prepare and store, and overall less marketable than unhealthy foods. 2,4,5,23 Emerging evidence from a recent intervention study challenges this perception 24 . In this intervention, resources were provided to an intervention group to help them change the food and beverage environment within sporting clubs, while the control group received no support.…”

Aperçu - Un changement difficile à faire accepter : constats d’une analyse qualitative de l’offre d’aliments sains dans les installations récréatives et sportives

“…Les stratégies de promotion de la santé susceptibles de facili ter la mise en oeuvre de ces lignes directrices sur l'alimentation saine devraient aussi inté grer un soutien social, par exemple de la formation, des ressources et des stratégies qui augmentent la disponibilité et la promo tion des aliments sains tout en limitant la commercialisation et la publicité des ali ments malsains 2,26 . Des données récentes révèlent que les interventions faisant appel à une combinaison de ces stratégies ont un retentissement plus important sur les choix et les comportements en matière d'alimen tation saine 17,24 . Il est clair que, pour pro mouvoir des options alimentaires saines dans les IRS, une approche multidimen sionnelle est essentielle, en raison de la complexité des changements de normes sociales 21,27 .…”

“…Les données d'une étude d'intervention récente remettent en question cette perception 24 . Dans cette étude, des ressources ont été allouées à un groupe d'intervention afin qu'il change l'environnement alimentaire (nourriture et boissons) dans les clubs sportifs, tandis qu'un groupe témoin ne recevait aucun soutien.…”

“…Dans cette étude, des ressources ont été allouées à un groupe d'intervention afin qu'il change l'environnement alimentaire (nourriture et boissons) dans les clubs sportifs, tandis qu'un groupe témoin ne recevait aucun soutien. Aucune différence significative dans les revenus annuels n'a été observée à la suite de l'intervention entre les clubs du groupe témoin et ceux du groupe expérimental 24 , ce qui signifie que le groupe expérimental n'a pas subi de perte de revenus en raison de la vente de produits plus sains. Des constatations simi laires sont ressorties d'une recherche en Alberta 23 .…”