Evaluation of a drinking water availability intervention in New York City schools

Background: Sugary drink intake is associated with obesity, thus getting children accustomed to drinking water rather than sugary drinks may help address childhood obesity. NYC placed water jets (cooled tap-water dispensers) in school cafeterias. We assessed the impact on students' water consumption and attitudes.

Methods: We used a difference-in-differences design. Ten intervention schools slated for water jets were matched with ten comparison schools based on size, grades, and student demographics. Data were collected during 2010-2011 through direct observation of cafeterias, in-class student surveys, and staff interviews. Factors measured included implementation, utilization of water jets, water and other beverage consumption, and students' perceptions of drinking water.

Results: We collected 2,899 student surveys and observed thousands of students. Water jets increased the proportion of students observed drinking water at lunch in the intervention schools, from 8% to 22% of all students in attendance on the day of measurement; while there was only a slight increase (6% to 9%) in the comparison schools (14% vs. 3%, p<0.05), an 11% difference.. On surveys, students reporting “usually” drinking water at lunchtime increased from 32% to 43% in water jet schools vs. 32% to 34% in the comparison schools (11% vs. 2%, p<0.05), a 9% difference. Findings related to the impact of these changes on milk and other beverage intake and perceptions about drinking water will also be presented.

Conclusions: Water jets almost tripled the proportion of students observed drinking water during school lunches and significantly increased the proportion reporting water intake at lunch.