EVALUATING INTERVENTIONS FOR HEALTHIER FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION AT INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Reducing unhealthy diets has been highlighted by the World Health Organization as a strategy to combat the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have assessed the effectiveness of interventions relating to sugar-sweetened beverage taxation and dietary quality improvement in Asia. My thesis aims to evaluate interventions implemented at an institution of higher learning (IHL) in Singapore to understand their effectiveness in (i) improving beverage choices and (ii) out-of-home dietary quality of Singapore adults. A randomized crossover trial was conducted using 21 beverage vending machines to assess the impact of tax and subsidy framed messages on sales of high- and lower-sugar beverages. In addition, a nationally implemented government programme to improve out-of-home dietary quality was evaluated at an IHL using a cluster randomized-controlled trial. Insights gained from my thesis can help inform policy on the implementation of the sugar-sweetened beverage taxation and food environment improvement interventions.