Effectiveness of a peer-led, school-based intervention to promote healthy food choices in adolescents
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN62287542 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN62287542 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | REC/21/0051 |
| Sponsor | Ulster Univeristy |
| Funders | Department for the Economy, Generating Excellent Nutrition In UK Schools Network (GENIUS) |
- Submission date
- 08/11/2021
- Registration date
- 01/12/2021
- Last edited
- 03/12/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The transition from childhood to adolescence is recognised as a nutritionally vulnerable time as adolescents begin to become more independent when making their food choices. Evidence highlights that many UK adolescents fail to meet the dietary recommendations, with inadequate consumption of fruit, vegetables and fibre and excessive sugar intakes. Promoting positive dietary choices within this age group is of primary importance to reduce the risk of future ill-health, as poor eating habits established during adolescence tend to track into adulthood. Adolescents spend a significant proportion of their time in school. Therefore, schools are a favourable environment to promote healthy food choices in adolescents as they provide access to a large proportion of this population. The aim of this study is to investigate whether adolescents (aged 11-12 years) can improve their food choices over a period of 12 weeks by taking part in a school-based, peer-led intervention.
Who can participate?
Mixed-gender Year 8 pupils (aged 11-12 years), Year 13 pupils (aged 16-17 years) and school stakeholders in mainstream post-primary schools in Northern Ireland who operate a ‘CRBCunningham’ Cashless Canteen System.
What does the study involve?
The intervention will run for a period of 12 weeks. Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups depending on their school.
In the schools allocated to group one (intervention), Year 13 pupils (aged 16-17 years) are recruited as peer leaders to assist in making adaptations to the canteen environment to promote healthy food choices to Year 8 pupils (aged 11-12 years) at lunchtime over a 12-week period. Year 13 pupils (aged 16-17 years) are asked to complete a questionnaire at the beginning of the intervention. The school allocated to group two (control) will continue with their normal canteen routine practices over the 12-week period. In both groups, Year 8 pupils purchasing data records in the canteen at lunchtime are collected at baseline (week 0) and weekly throughout the 12-week intervention and the Year 8 pupils complete a questionnaire at baseline (week 0) and at the end of the intervention. In the schools allocated to group one, a subsample of Year 8 pupils will participate in focus groups, a subsample of Year 13 pupils will take part in focus groups or interviews and school stakeholders will participate in interviews.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits if allocated to group one (intervention):
Year 8 pupils have the opportunity to receive regular low-cost rewards throughout the 12-week period and be entered into a draw to receive larger prizes at week 6 and week 12 of the intervention. Year 13 pupils have the opportunity to receive a £20 voucher and a certificate.
Benefits if allocated to group two (control):
Year 8 pupils have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw to receive larger prizes.
Risks:
There are no direct risks associated with participating in this study.
Where is the study run from?
Ulster University, Coleraine (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2020 to June 2022
Who is funding the study?
Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Generating Excellent Nutrition In UK Schools (GENIUS) Network (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. Prof Alison Gallagher
am.gallagher@ulster.ac.uk
2. Dr Alyson Hill
aj.hill@ulster.ac.uk
3. Dr Lauren Devine
lauren.devine@ucd.ie
Contact information
Public
Ulster University
Cromore Rd
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-6160-1051 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)7517448675 |
| lauren.devine@ucd.ie |
Public
Ulster University
Cromore Rd
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
United Kingdom
| ORCID ID |
0000-0003-3134-2794 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0) 2870124128 |
| aj.hill@ulster.ac.uk |
Scientific
Ulster University
Cromore Rd
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
United Kingdom
| ORCID ID |
0000-0003-2109-3472 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0) 28 7012 3178 |
| am.gallagher@ulster.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre interventional pilot feasibility cluster randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Cluster randomised trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Effectiveness of a peer-led, school-based intervention to promote healthy food choices in adolescents: a pilot feasibility study |
| Study objectives | Intervention participants will improve their food choices in the school canteen at lunchtime. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 28/09/2021, Ulster University Research Ethics Committee (Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Country Antrim, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland; +44 (0)28 9036 6700; researchgovernance@ulster.ac.uk), ref: REC/21/0051 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Public health nutrition in post-primary schools. |
| Intervention | This study is a pilot feasibility cluster randomised-controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a school-based, peer-led intervention to promote healthy food choices in adolescents in the school canteen at lunchtime. Year 8 pupils (aged 11-12 years), Year 13 peer leaders (aged 16-17 years) and school stakeholders will be recruited from three post-primary schools (intervention group) and Year 8 pupils (aged 11-12 years) will be recruited from one post-primary school (control group) across Northern Ireland and the intervention will take place for a period of 12 weeks. Participants will be randomised at school-level to participate in the intervention group (n=3 schools) or the control group (n=1 school) using MINIM software. In the schools allocated to group one (intervention), Year 13 pupils (aged 16-17 years) are recruited as peer leaders to assist in making adaptations to the canteen environment to promote healthy food choices to Year 8 pupils (aged 11-12 years) at lunchtime over a 12-week period. Year 13 pupils (aged 16-17 years) are asked to complete a questionnaire at the beginning of the intervention. The school allocated to group two (control) will continue with their normal canteen routine practices over the 12-week period. In both groups, Year 8 pupils purchasing data records in the canteen at lunchtime are collected at baseline (week 0) and weekly throughout the 12-week intervention and the Year 8 pupils complete a questionnaire at baseline (week 0) and at the end of the intervention. In the schools allocated to group one, a subsample of Year 8 pupils will participate in focus groups, a subsample of Year 13 pupils will take part in focus groups or interviews and school stakeholders will participate in interviews. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Food choices in the school canteen at lunchtime measured using the cashless canteen purchasing data records at baseline (week 0), week 1 - week 12 |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Dietary knowledge measured using a questionnaire at baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks) |
| Completion date | 30/06/2022 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Mixed |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 325 |
| Total final enrolment | 532 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Mainstream post-primary schools in Northern Ireland who operate a 'CRB Cunningham' cashless canteen system. 2. Year 8 pupils (11-12 years). 3. Year 13 pupils (16-17 years). 4. School stakeholders (Senior staff members/ teachers/ caterers). |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Post-primary schools in Northern Ireland that do not operate a 'CRB Cunningham' cashless canteen system. 2. Non-mainstream post-primary schools. |
| Date of first enrolment | 29/09/2021 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/05/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland
Study participating centre
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract results | 05/09/2023 | 03/12/2024 | No | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Thesis results | 31/10/2023 | 03/12/2024 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
03/12/2024: Links to a thesis and an abstract added.
29/07/2024: The contact was updated.
07/12/2023: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2023 to 31/12/2024.
13/01/2023: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/12/2022 to 31/12/2023.
23/06/2022: The total final enrolment was added.
05/04/2022: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 29/04/2022 to 31/05/2022.
2. The overall trial end date has been changed from 31/05/2022 to 30/06/2022 and the plain English summary has been updated to reflect this change.
17/11/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by Ulster University.
