Presented at the 19th annual Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum at The Ohio State University. March 26, 2014.

1. Evaluationofbeveragepracticesamongcommunityorganizationsparticipating
intheGrowingHealthyKids-ColumbusCoalition
Hashiguchi E.R., Kennel J.A., Pirie P.L., Smathers C.A.
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
1. Ludwig DS, Peterson KE, Gortmaker SL. Relation between consumption of
sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational
analysis. Lancet 2001;357:505-8.
2. Wang, YC, Bleich SN, Gortmaker, SL. Increasing caloric contribution from sugar-
sweetened beverages and 100% fruit juices among US children and
adolescents, 1988-2004. Pediatrics 2008; 121:e1604-14.
3. Ziegler P, Briefel R, Clusen N, Devaney B. Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study
(FITS): development of the FITS survey in comparison to other dietary survey
methods. J Am Diet Assoc 2006; 106:S12-27.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Cheryl Graffagnino, MS, RD, LD and Jamie Turner, MPH,
Columbus Public Health; Carolyn Gunther, PhD, OSU
OSU EXTENSION FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Growing Healthy Kids
Columbus Coalition
METHODS
Representatives from GHKCC organizations (n=38),
including hospitals, schools, health departments, and
recreational, non-profit, and social service agencies,
were invited to participate in an online survey.
The survey consisted of 41 closed-ended questions that
assessed the organization’s 1) existing policies related to
beverage type availability; 2) offerings (availability) of
free water as well as beverages for purchase; 3) efforts
to promote water consumption; 4) awareness of
educational materials available through the GHKCC; and
5) target population being served.
Survey responses were analyzed using frequency
statistics at the group level. The design and content of
the survey was approved by the Institutional Review
Board (IRB) in January 2014
Twenty-eight of the 38 organizations completed the
survey (74% response rate). A majority of respondents
(78%) indicated the organization has public vending
machines, and 85% said vending machines include SSBs.
Regarding the implementation of beverage standards
policies, guidelines, etc.), 43% of organizations did not
have any policy in place concerning pricing, stocking,
location, or times of operation for their vending
machines (Figure 1). The same beverage policies were
lacking in 62% of organizations who offered beverages
through on-site food service operations (Figure 2). Most
organizations lack policies related to advertising SSBs
(77%, Figure 3) or serving SSBs at events (67%).
Nearly all respondents (93%) reported water was freely
available to both employees and customers (Figure 4).
Specificpopulationsweretargetedwitheffortstoincreasewater
consumptionbylessthanhavetheorganizations(Figure5).
Organizations(%)
Beverage Policy Standards
Figure 1. Vending Machine Beverage Policy
Organizations(%)
Beverage Policy Standards
Figure 2. Food Service Beverage Policy
Organizations(%)
Figure 3. Policy Limiting SSB Advertisement
Beverage Policy Standards
The purpose of this study was to assess written policies
and practices related to provision and encouragement of
beverages among organizations affiliated with the
GHKCC, a local collaboration of early childhood
organizations.
ABSTRACT
High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)
increases risk for childhood obesity. The Institute of
Medicine recommends decreasing SSB intake as a strategy
for reducing childhood obesity. Recent public health
campaigns have encouraged provision of free drinking
water to the public to deter SSB consumption.
The purpose of this study was to assess written policies
and practices related to beverages among organizations in
the Growing Healthy Kids Columbus Coalition (GHKCC), a
local collaboration of early childhood organizations.
In January 2014, researchers recruited a representative
from each GHKCC organization to participate in an online
survey consisting of 41 closed-ended questions.
Twenty-eight of the 38 organizations (74% response rate)
completed the survey. Almost all respondents (93%)
reported water is freely available to both employees and
customers. A majority of respondents (78%) indicated the
organization has public vending machines, and 85% said
vending machines include SSBs. Most organizations lack
policies related to advertising SSBs (77%) or serving SSBs
at events (67%) , and more than half lack policies to limit
endorsing SSBs and serving SSBs at special events.
BACKGROUND
Data from large-scale longitudinal studies have shown
that energy intake from SSBs significantly increased over
the past three decades2. In 2002, The FITS study found
that 44% of children ages 19-24 months consumed sugar
sweetened beverages at least once per day.3 For every
additional 12 ounce sugary drink consumed a child’s
likelihood of developing obesity increases by 60%.1 The
Institute of Medicine recommends decreasing SSB intake
as a strategy for reducing childhood obesity. Recent public
health campaigns have encouraged provision of free
drinking water to decrease SSB consumption.
Figure 4. Availability of Free Water
Organizations(%)
Access to Water
Organizations(%)
Target Population
Figure 5. Promotion of Water Consumption
TheresearchstudyfoundthatmostGHKCCorganizations
makewaterfreelyavailabletoemployeesandtothepeople
theyserve. Morethanhalfoftheorganizations lacked
writtenpolicyovertheadvertisementofSSBsandbeverage
policystandardsforon-sitevendingandfoodservice.Future
researchneedstobecarriedouttofocusonenvironment
changesandSSBdrinkingbehaviors.
OBJECTIVE
RESULTS