Crystal Smit

Chapter 6 128 The general objective of this dissertation was to investigate the effects of the Share H 2 O social network intervention to motivate healthy drinking behaviors in influence agents and their peers. This general objective was approached with four specific research aims. The current chapter first provides a brief summary of the main findings followed by a discussion and reflection. Subsequently, general limitations are discussed, along with recommendations for future research and intervention practices. This chapter concludes with the five most important take away messages for researchers as well as practitioners. SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FINDINGS Aim 1 (Chapter 2)—Investigate whether a social network intervention grounded in self-determination theory improves children’s consumption behaviors • The Share H 2 O social network intervention was effective in increasing children’s water consumption and decreasing their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) compared to children who did not receive the intervention. • The intervention had an effect only on children’s reported intake and not on their intentions to drink more water in the near future. Aim 2 (Chapter 3)—Gain more insight into the role of intrinsic motivation in predicting healthy drinking behaviors compared to other dominant theoretical predictors • Intrinsic motivation was the most important predictor of long-term changes in water consumption of children. • Intention to drink more water did not predict long-term changes in children’s actual water consumption. • Of the various types of social norms investigated, only parental descriptive norms predicted long-term changes in water consumption.