The development and evaluation of an
intervention for healthier canteens in Dutch
recreational football clubs: research
protocol of a cluster randomized controlled
trial.
Research protocol for the Healthy Football Canteen intervention aimed at the prevention of
overweight and obesity by promoting healthy eating behavior among young adolescents aged 10 to 14
years old in The Netherlands.
Date: 22/12/2022
ABSTRACT
, Background: Overweight and obesity are undeniable public health problems. In recent years,
adolescents in The Netherlands have shown a significant increase in overweight. Modifying the food
environment can positively influence people's eating behavior and reduce the risk of overweight and
obesity. Recreational football clubs are important settings for interventions focusing on changing
eating behavior. The aim of this study protocol is to describe the design, implementation, and process
evaluation of the ‘Healthy Football Canteen’ (HFC) program, that aims to encourage healthy food
purchase behavior to prevent overweight and obesity in the long run. The target group of the
intervention is young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years old, as this is an important age in the
development of eating behavior. The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the effectiveness of
the HFC-program on the self-reported purchase behavior of young adolescents aged 10-14 at football
club canteens.
Methods/design: This cluster randomized controlled trial with randomization at club level will be
conducted in the region of Rotterdam Rijnmond, and consists of an intervention and a control group.
A baseline measurement will be performed prior to the intervention. The primary outcome ‘self-
reported purchase behavior of young adolescents’ will be assessed using a questionnaire. The Canteen
Scan tool and in-depth interviews with stakeholders will be used to evaluate the trial process and
implementation.
Intervention: The HFC-program is based on an existing intervention: ‘The Healthy School Canteen’,
and adjusted to the context of a football canteen. It will consist of three components: 'offer', 'policy’
and ‘appearance'. ‘Offer’ includes that, among other things, fruits, vegetables and at least one
healthier choice in each product group are offered. ‘Policy’ means for example including the guideline
in the club policy. An example of ‘appearance’ is: only prominently displaying healthier options.
Discussion: The findings of this exploratory study can be used to refine the HFC-program and
potentially improve its implementation. The results can be utilized by researchers looking to study the
use of the HFC-program in other regions. If proven effective, this intervention could be adopted
nationwide.
Keywords: Overweight, obesity, young adolescents, Healthy Canteen, purchase behavior.
INTRODUCTION
2
intervention for healthier canteens in Dutch
recreational football clubs: research
protocol of a cluster randomized controlled
trial.
Research protocol for the Healthy Football Canteen intervention aimed at the prevention of
overweight and obesity by promoting healthy eating behavior among young adolescents aged 10 to 14
years old in The Netherlands.
Date: 22/12/2022
ABSTRACT
, Background: Overweight and obesity are undeniable public health problems. In recent years,
adolescents in The Netherlands have shown a significant increase in overweight. Modifying the food
environment can positively influence people's eating behavior and reduce the risk of overweight and
obesity. Recreational football clubs are important settings for interventions focusing on changing
eating behavior. The aim of this study protocol is to describe the design, implementation, and process
evaluation of the ‘Healthy Football Canteen’ (HFC) program, that aims to encourage healthy food
purchase behavior to prevent overweight and obesity in the long run. The target group of the
intervention is young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years old, as this is an important age in the
development of eating behavior. The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the effectiveness of
the HFC-program on the self-reported purchase behavior of young adolescents aged 10-14 at football
club canteens.
Methods/design: This cluster randomized controlled trial with randomization at club level will be
conducted in the region of Rotterdam Rijnmond, and consists of an intervention and a control group.
A baseline measurement will be performed prior to the intervention. The primary outcome ‘self-
reported purchase behavior of young adolescents’ will be assessed using a questionnaire. The Canteen
Scan tool and in-depth interviews with stakeholders will be used to evaluate the trial process and
implementation.
Intervention: The HFC-program is based on an existing intervention: ‘The Healthy School Canteen’,
and adjusted to the context of a football canteen. It will consist of three components: 'offer', 'policy’
and ‘appearance'. ‘Offer’ includes that, among other things, fruits, vegetables and at least one
healthier choice in each product group are offered. ‘Policy’ means for example including the guideline
in the club policy. An example of ‘appearance’ is: only prominently displaying healthier options.
Discussion: The findings of this exploratory study can be used to refine the HFC-program and
potentially improve its implementation. The results can be utilized by researchers looking to study the
use of the HFC-program in other regions. If proven effective, this intervention could be adopted
nationwide.
Keywords: Overweight, obesity, young adolescents, Healthy Canteen, purchase behavior.
INTRODUCTION
2
