Exploration of Sweetened Beverage Intake among Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

BACKGROUND: Obesity affects approximately 10% of US children ≤ 5 years' old. One recommended strategy for preventing obesity is discouraging sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Although SSB intake begins as early as four months' old, little is known about factors associated with parents' choices to provide/not provide SSBs to their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to explore parental factors associated with SSB consumption among children ≤ 5 years'.

METHODS: Parents of infants and children ≤ 5 years' from the university child care center (N=30) completed a 24-item survey assessing their youngest child's SSB intake and parental knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and intentions about SSBs. Data were analyzed to determine if children's SSB intake was associated with demographic, knowledge, and psychosocial variables.

RESULTS: Over half (53.3%) the participants reported their children drink SSBs occasionally or regularly. Older children (toddlers/preschoolers) consumed significantly more SSBs occasionally/regularly than younger children (younger/older infants). Occasional/regular SSB intake was negatively associated with the number of children in the home, perceived benefits of limiting children's SSB intake, and attitudes toward non-sweetened ("healthier") beverages. Occasional/regular SSB consumption was positively associated with attitudes toward SSB.

CONCLUSIONS: Data will be used to explore the acceptance of an intervention designed to change attitudes toward SSB while promoting benefits of limiting children's SSB intake.

LEARNER OBJECTIVES: After attending this session, participants will be able to (1) describe the link between SSB intake and obesity and (2) list parental factors associated with young children's SSB intake.