Controlled trial of a workplace sales ban on sugar-sweetened beverages

Objective:To examine the effectiveness of a workplace sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) sales ban on reducing SSB consumption in employees, including those with cardiometabolic disease risk factors. Design:A controlled trial of ethnically diverse, full-time employees who consumed SSB heavily (sales ban n 315; control n 342). Outcomes included standardised measures of change in SSB consumption in the workplace (primary) and at home between baseline and 6 months post-sales ban. Setting:Sutter Health, a large non-profit healthcare delivery system in Northern California. Participants:Full-time employees at Sutter Health screened for heavy SSB consumption. Results:Participants were 66 & BULL;1 % non-White. On average, participants consumed 34 & BULL;7 ounces (about 1 litre) of SSB per d, and the majority had an elevated baseline BMI (mean = 29 & BULL;5). In adjusted regression analyses, those exposed to a workplace SSB sales ban for 6 months consumed 2 & BULL;7 (95 % CI -4 & BULL;9, -0 & BULL;5) fewer ounces of SSB per d while at work, and 4 & BULL;3 (95 % CI -8 & BULL;4, -0 & BULL;2) fewer total ounces per d, compared to controls. Sales ban participants with an elevated BMI or waist circumference had greater post-intervention reductions in workplace SSB consumption. Conclusions:Workplace sales bans can reduce SSB consumption in ethnically diverse employee populations, including those at higher risk for cardiometabolic disease.