Unfortunately, we were not able to measure a change in the consumption of other sugary drinks because the identical question was not asked Ku-0059436 manufacturer before and after the campaign. Our study adds to the evidence base about the positive impact of a nutrition-related media campaign on knowledge and behavioral intentions. Notably, it addresses the gap in the peer-reviewed literature about the effectiveness of campaigns focused on sugar in soda and other sugary drinks.

We are aware of only two published studies about media campaigns focused on sugary drinks (Jordan et al., 2012 and Barragan et al., 2014). The Jordan et al.’s study presents the results of a pre-campaign survey that was conducted to determine the most effective message content. Results indicated that intention to eliminate SSB consumption click here at mealtime is driven by both positive and negative beliefs. This is consistent with our finding of an association between attitudes about childhood obesity and intentions to reduce the amount of soda or sugary drinks offered to a child. In the Barragan et al.’s study, more than 60% reported likely or very likely to reduce their daily consumption of SSBs as a result

of seeing the campaign, which is between the 51% in our study that reported they would reduce the amount of soda or sugary drinks they consumed as a result of the ads and the 78% that reported they would reduce the amount of such drinks they would offer to a child. Other studies have shown that nutrition-related media campaigns can successfully increase knowledge, change attitudes,

and change nutrition behaviors (Orr et al., 2010, Wakefield et al., 2010, Pollard et al., 2008, Gordon et al., 2006 and Beaudoin et al., 2007), but none of these were about beverages with added sugars. Our study is subject to several limitations. First, the study did not use a true pre-post design, and thus was unable to measure change before and after the campaign on most measures except self-reported soda unless consumption. A second limitation is that a post-only comparison of outcomes between those aware and not aware of the campaign does not fully take into account individuals with a priori favorable attitudes and behaviors who might have been more likely to pay attention to the campaign. Third, the data presented on soda and sugary drink consumption were collapsed into 2 categories, “never” and “at least one,” and represented the dichotomous states of abstinence and not abstinence rather than the level of consumption. Fourth, the media survey relied on self-reported data. As a result, respondents may have under-reported some behaviors that may be considered socially unacceptable or unhealthy such as soda consumption, or there was recall bias. Fifth, the survey was conducted only in English. Approximately 20% of the residents of Multnomah County speak a language other than English at home; however, the survey administrator reported only 4 refusals based on language.