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.

Percepções de escolares e merendeiras sobre alimentação escolar: uma análise por grupos focais / Perceptions of schoolchildren and lunch ladies about school meals: a focus groups analysis

Resumo Introdução: O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) destaca-se por ser um dos maiores programas do mundo de alimentação escolar, contemplando o Direito Humano à Alimentação Adequada a estudantes brasileiros. Entretanto, alguns estudos têm observado baixa aceitabilidade e adesão à alimentação escolar. Objetivo: Analisar a percepção de merendeiras e escolares acerca da aceitabilidade e adesão à alimentação escolar. Metodologia: Pesquisa qualitativa realizada através de grupos focais com merendeiras de três escolas e escolares do sexto ao nono ano de escola pública de Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os grupos focais foram realizados utilizando-se roteiros semiestruturados e gravados em áudio e vídeo, posteriormente transcritos e analisados por Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: Foram identificados seis temas: autoconhecimento, adesão, aceitabilidade, preparo e distribuição da alimentação escolar, cardápio e ambiente. Conclusão: O emprego de esforços na melhoria da infraestrutura e aspecto do ambiente alimentar, com a aquisição de utensílios adequados, alteração no modelo de serviço de distribuição e no modo de preparo das refeições, resultando em cardápios variados, são estratégias que podem contribuir para melhorar a adesão e aceitabilidade à alimentação escolar. Essas mudanças favorecem a promoção de saúde no espaço escolar, com foco em políticas públicas saudáveis.

Abstract Introduction: National School Feeding Program (PNAE) stands out for being one of the largest school feeding programs in the world, contemplating the Human Right to Adequate Food for Brazilian students. However, some research works have observed low acceptability and adherence to school meals. Objective: To analyze the perception of school lunch ladies and students about acceptability and adherence to school meals. Methodology: Qualitative research carried out through focus groups with lunch ladies from three schools and students from the sixth to the ninth grade of a public school in Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The focus groups were carried out using semi-structured scripts and recorded in audio and video, later transcribed and analyzed by Content Analysis. Results: Six themes were identified: self-knowledge, adherence, acceptability, preparation and distribution of school meals, menu and environment. Conclusion: The use of efforts to improve the infrastructure and aspect of the food environment, with the acquisition of adequate utensils, change in the distribution service model and in the way of preparing meals, resulting in varied menus, are strategies that can contribute to improve adherence and acceptability to school meals. These changes favor the promotion of health in the school environment, focusing on healthy public policies.

Efetividade de intervenção multicomponente na adesão e aceitabilidade à alimentação escolar: ensaio randomizado de base escolar de múltiplos braços em Sumidouro - RJ / Effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention on adherence and acceptability to school meals: a multi-arm, school-based randomized trial in Sumidouro - RJ

O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar possui papel fundamental na promoção da alimentação saudável de milhões de escolares em todo o Brasil. Entretanto, pesquisas nacionais apontam baixa adesão e aceitabilidade à alimentação escolar na rede pública de ensino. Intervenções baseadas em arquitetura de escolhas e padronização de técnicas gastronômicas têm sido implementadas com o intuito de melhorar este cenário e estimular o desenvolvimento de hábitos alimentares saudáveis. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a efetividade de intervenção multicomponente na adesão e aceitabilidade à alimentação escolar. Um ensaio randomizado foi conduzido com alunos do 4o ao 9o ano de 3 escolas públicas da rede municipal de ensino da cidade de Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro, em 2019. As escolas participantes foram alocadas aleatoriamente em três grupos: uma escola no grupo controle (sem intervenção), uma escola no grupo intervenção 1 (modificações ambientais e inclusão de sistema de autosserviço) e uma escola no grupo intervenção 2 (modificações ambientais, inclusão de sistema de autosserviço e adição de novas preparações no cardápio). A escola do grupo intervenção 1 recebeu intervenções ambientais baseadas nos princípios da arquitetura de escolhas, que consistiram em: elaboração de cartazes e displays com mensagens e imagens motivacionais para promoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis e incentivo ao consumo da alimentação escolar; implementação de toalhas com imagens coloridas de alimentos in natura nas mesas do refeitório; alocação das frutas servidas na alimentação escolar em posição de destaque, em uma barraca de frutas; posicionamento de um banner com o cardápio das preparações diárias na entrada do refeitório; e aplicação de pegadas no chão que, de forma lúdica, direcionavam os escolares ao refeitório. Além disso, foi implementado o sistema de autosserviço, com a incorporação de um balcão térmico de distribuição de alimentos no refeitório. A escola do grupo intervenção 2 recebeu as mesmas intervenções da escola do grupo intervenção 1, com a adição da padronização de técnicas gastronômicas para alterações nas preparações culinárias que fizeram parte dos cardápios no ano letivo de 2019, além da elaboração de novas preparações a partir da identificação das percepções acerca dos motivos da não adesão à alimentação escolar relatadas em grupos focais realizados com merendeiras e escolares. A adesão à alimentação escolar (≥3 vezes na semana) foi avaliada por meio de questão inserida em questionário aplicado em três momentos (linha de base, 1o seguimento [após 5 meses de intervenção] e 2o seguimento [após 8 meses de intervenção]). Foram realizadas análises longitudinais por meio da aplicação de modelos lineares generalizados que levam em conta as medidas repetidas e os dados ausentes de desfecho dos participantes. Também foram realizadas análises do tipo piecewise, permitindo a identificação dos parâmetros no intervalo 1 (linha de base-1o seguimento) e no intervalo 2 (1o seguimento-2o seguimento). Foi observado aumento da adesão à alimentação escolar na escola intervenção 1 vs. escola controle (RR=1,20; p-valor=0,0166) e maior aumento na escola intervenção 2 vs. escola controle (RR=1,27; p-valor=0,0041). Foi possível observar também aumento da adesão na escola intervenção 1 vs. escola controle no intervalo 1 e intervalo 2 (RR=1,18; p-valor=0,0146 e RR=1,14; p-valor=0,0424, respectivamente), e maior aumento da adesão na escola intervenção 2 vs. escola controle no intervalo 1 (RR=1,22; p-valor=0,0095) e no intervalo 2 (RR=1,20; p-valor=0,0070). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa na variação da adesão entre as escolas intervenção 2 e 1. A aceitabilidade à alimentação escolar foi avaliada por meio da aplicação de teste de aceitabilidade referente ao cardápio servido nas escolas antes das intervenções e, aos demais cardápios, após o início das intervenções, através do uso da escala hedônica facial e verbal. Para as análises longitudinais, foram empregados modelos lineares generalizados, que levam em conta as medidas repetidas e os dados ausentes de desfecho dos participantes. Observou-se aumento significativo no índice de aceitabilidade nos grupos de preparações à base de carne bovina e doces entre os participantes da escola intervenção 1 (RR=1,36; p-valor=0,0008 e RR=3,99; p-valor=<,0001, respectivamente) e da escola intervenção 2 (RR=1,34; p-valor=0,0029 e RR=2,22; p-valor=<,0001, respectivamente), quando comparados aos da escola controle ao longo do tempo. O incremento na aceitabilidade das frutas foi maior entre os participantes da escola intervenção 2, quando comparados aos da escola intervenção 1 (RR=1,60; p-valor=0,0052). Redução da aceitabilidade de preparações à base de feijão foi observada entre escola intervenção 2 e as escolas intervenção 1 e controle (RR=0,60; p-valor=0,0003 e RR=0,57; p-valor=0,0013, respectivamente). Os resultados alcançados sugerem que intervenções multicomponentes baseadas em modificações ambientais de baixo custo e complexidade, e em modificações nos aspectos sensoriais das refeições oferecidas na alimentação escolar através da inserção de técnicas gastronômicas, podem ser efetivas para promover o aumento da adesão e aceitabilidade à alimentação escolar e, consequentemente, auxiliar na elaboração de políticas públicas voltadas à promoção da alimentação saudável.

The National School Feeding Program plays a key role in promoting healthy eating for millions of schoolchildren throughout Brazil. However, national surveys indicate low adherence and acceptability to school meals in the public school system. Interventions based on choices architecture and standardization of gastronomic techniques have been implemented aiming to improve this scenario and encourage the development of healthy eating habits. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention in adherence and acceptability to school meals. A randomized trial was conducted with students from 4th to 9th grade from 3 public schools of Sumidouro, a city located in Rio de Janeiro, in 2019. The participating schools were randomly allocated into three groups: one school in the control group (no intervention), another school in the intervention group 1 (environmental modifications and addition of a self-service system) and other one in the intervention group 2 (environmental modifications, addition of a self-service system and inclusion of new dishes in the menu). The school from the intervention group 1 received environmental interventions based on the principles of choices architecture, which consisted of: creation of posters and displays with motivational messages and images to promote healthy eating habits and encourage the consumption of school meals; implementation of tablecloth with colorful images of fresh food on the cafeteria tables; allocation of fruits in a prominent position, in a fruit stand; placement of a banner with the daily menu at the cafeteria's entrance; and application of footprints on the floor that, in a playful way, directed students to the cafeteria. Moreover, a self-service system was implemented through the addition of a thermal food distribution counter in the cafeteria. The school from intervention group 2 received the same interventions as the school from intervention group 1, plus the standardization of gastronomic techniques for changes in the dishes that were part of the menus in 2019, and also the creation of new ones, based on the perceptions about the reasons for non-adherence to school meals reported in focus groups carried out with lunch ladies and schoolchildren. Adherence to school meals (≥3 times a week) was assessed through a question inserted in a questionnaire applied at three different moments (baseline, 1st follow-up [after 5 months of intervention] and 2nd follow-up [after 8 months of intervention]). Longitudinal analyzes were performed through the application of generalized linear models that take into account repeated measures and missing participant outcome data. Piecewise analyzes were also performed, allowing the identification of parameters in interval 1 (baseline - 1st follow-up) and in interval 2 (1st follow-up - 2nd follow-up). An increase in adherence to school meals was observed in the intervention school 1 vs. control school (RR=1.20; p-value=0.0166) and greater increase in intervention school 2 vs. control school (RR=1.27; p-value=0.0041). It was also observed an increase in adherence in the intervention school 1 vs. control school in interval 1 and interval 2 (RR=1.18; p-value=0.0146 and RR=1.14; p-value=0.0424, respectively), and greater increase in adherence in intervention school 2 vs. control school in interval 1 (RR=1.22; p-value=0.0095) and in interval 2 (RR=1.20; p-value=0.0070). There was no statistically significant difference in the variation of adherence between intervention 2 and 1 schools. The acceptability of school meals was evaluated by applying an acceptability test referring to the menu served in schools before the interventions and, to the other menus, after the beginning of the interventions, through the use of facial and verbal hedonic scale. For the longitudinal analyses, generalized linear models were used, taking into account repeated measures and missing outcome data from the participants. There was a significant increase in the acceptability index in the groups of preparations based on meat and sweets among participants in the intervention school 1 (RR=1.36; p-value=0.0008 and RR=3.99; p- value=<.0001, respectively) and intervention school 2 (RR=1.34; p-value=0.0029 and RR=2.22; p-value=<.0001, respectively), when compared to the control school over time. The increase in fruit acceptability was greater among participants in the intervention school 2, when compared to those in the intervention school 1 (RR=1.60; p-value=0.0052). Reduction in the acceptability of bean-based preparations was observed between intervention 2 school and intervention 1 and control schools (RR=0.60; p-value=0.0003 and RR=0.57; p-value=0.0013, respectively). The results suggest that multicomponent interventions based on low cost and complexity environmental modifications, and also on changes in the sensory aspects of meals offered at school through the use of gastronomic techniques, can be effective in increasing adherence and acceptability to school meals, assisting in the creation of public policies aimed at promoting healthy eating.

Feasibility in meeting nutrient amounts of the National School Feeding Program and its relationship with the menu cost. / Viabilidade no atendimento às normas do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar e sua relação com custo dos cardápios.

We evaluated the feasibility of the menu adequacy regarding the nutritional constraints established by the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) and its relation to the cost. Each menu accounted for a given food combination within each food group. A diet optimization model comprising each set of foods was designed to obtain food quantities in order to meet the exigences of the PNAE at the lowest cost (menus with 20% and 30% of dietary reference intake for energy, macronutrients, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A and C, also restrictions for sodium, saturated and trans fats, and added sugar). There was no feasible solution that accommodated all nutrient targets. Limiting components were calcium, sodium, and carbohydrates; but the menus were adequate for the other nutrients. There was a positive correlation between the menu cost and the frequency of meat and fruits, and a negative correlation with the contents of sodium and carbohydrates, and with the frequencies of rice and beans. The probability of obtaining carbohydrate adequacy was close to zero when the meat frequency was higher than one serving per week. In conclusion, it is unlikely to obtain menus that meet all the requirements of the PNAE.

O estudo avaliou a viabilidade da adequação de cardápios em relação às exigências nutricionais estabelecidas pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) e a relação entre o custo do cardápio. Cada cardápio semanal contou de uma combinação de alimentos dentro de cada grupo. Para cada combinação de alimentos foi elaborado um modelo de otimização de dados para obter as quantidades de cada alimento de forma a atender às exigências do PNAE ao menor custo possível (cardápios com 20% e 30% da ingestão dietética de referência para energia, macronutrientes, cálcio, ferro, magnésio, zinco, vitaminas A e C, além de restrições para sódio, gorduras saturada e trans, e açúcar de adição). Não foi obtida nenhuma solução que acomodasse todas as exigências do PNAE. Os componentes limitantes foram cálcio, sódio e carboidratos; para os demais os cardápios foram adequados. O custo foi diretamente correlacionado com a frequência de carne e frutas, e inversamente com os conteúdos de sódio e carboidratos, e com as frequências de arroz e feijão. A probabilidade de adequação de carboidratos foi próxima de zero quando a frequência de carne foi acima de 1 vez por semana. Concluindo, é pouco provável a obtenção de cardápios que atendam à todas as exigências do PNAE.

Viabilidade no atendimento às normas do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar e sua relação com custo dos cardápios / Feasibility in meeting nutrient amounts of the National School Feeding Program and its relationship with the menu cost

Resumo O estudo avaliou a viabilidade da adequação de cardápios em relação às exigências nutricionais estabelecidas pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) e a relação entre o custo do cardápio. Cada cardápio semanal contou de uma combinação de alimentos dentro de cada grupo. Para cada combinação de alimentos foi elaborado um modelo de otimização de dados para obter as quantidades de cada alimento de forma a atender às exigências do PNAE ao menor custo possível (cardápios com 20% e 30% da ingestão dietética de referência para energia, macronutrientes, cálcio, ferro, magnésio, zinco, vitaminas A e C, além de restrições para sódio, gorduras saturada e trans, e açúcar de adição). Não foi obtida nenhuma solução que acomodasse todas as exigências do PNAE. Os componentes limitantes foram cálcio, sódio e carboidratos; para os demais os cardápios foram adequados. O custo foi diretamente correlacionado com a frequência de carne e frutas, e inversamente com os conteúdos de sódio e carboidratos, e com as frequências de arroz e feijão. A probabilidade de adequação de carboidratos foi próxima de zero quando a frequência de carne foi acima de 1 vez por semana. Concluindo, é pouco provável a obtenção de cardápios que atendam à todas as exigências do PNAE.

Abstract We evaluated the feasibility of the menu adequacy regarding the nutritional constraints established by the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) and its relation to the cost. Each menu accounted for a given food combination within each food group. A diet optimization model comprising each set of foods was designed to obtain food quantities in order to meet the exigences of the PNAE at the lowest cost (menus with 20% and 30% of dietary reference intake for energy, macronutrients, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A and C, also restrictions for sodium, saturated and trans fats, and added sugar). There was no feasible solution that accommodated all nutrient targets. Limiting components were calcium, sodium, and carbohydrates; but the menus were adequate for the other nutrients. There was a positive correlation between the menu cost and the frequency of meat and fruits, and a negative correlation with the contents of sodium and carbohydrates, and with the frequencies of rice and beans. The probability of obtaining carbohydrate adequacy was close to zero when the meat frequency was higher than one serving per week. In conclusion, it is unlikely to obtain menus that meet all the requirements of the PNAE.

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.

Major food groups contributing to sodium intake in school-attending adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Excessive sodium intake is a risk factor for developing systemic arterial hypertension. Increased blood pressure during childhood increases the risk of hypertension in adulthood. Assessing sodium intake across different eating places is important, as the meals offered in different places can influence dietary quality. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the contribution of different food groups to the mean of sodium intake of school-attending adolescents in the city of Niterói, a metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. SUBJECTS: A total of 347 public school students aged between 10 and 18 years participated in the study. METHODS: Food consumption was based on two 24-h dietary recalls. The reported items were grouped into 31 food groups and the percentage of contribution of each food group to total mean sodium intake was estimated. Sodium intake according to eating place was also estimated. RESULTS: The food groups mostly contributing to total sodium intake were rice, beans, savory biscuits, breads, beef, poultry, processed meat, filled cookies, pasta and potatoes. The highest sodium intake within the food groups occurred at home, except for savory biscuits and pizza, which showed a higher sodium intake percentage at school. Savory biscuits were the third-most consumed item contributing to the total sodium intake and were the main source of sodium when consumed at school (48.9%). CONCLUSION: Most sodium intake stemmed from ultra-processed food consumed at school. Therefore, actions to promote healthy eating habits within the school environment are necessary.