Childhood Obesity: Psychosocial factors influencing the use of sugar sweetened beverages in preschoolers

Non-Hispanic black children consume greater amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and are at disproportionately high risk for obesity and other SSB-related health problems. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the ability the Expanded Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explain caregivers’ intention to serve sugar-sweetened beverages to non-Hispanic black preschoolers. A sample of 165 caregivers of low-income non-Hispanic black children preschoolers residing in the New Orleans metropolitan area completed a written questionnaire. Multiple regression with path analysis confirmed the relationships of past behavior, attitude and subjective norm, but not perceived behavioral control (PBC) with intention. Behavioral and normative beliefs had indirect effects on intention and direct effects on attitude and subjective norm. Control beliefs had neither a significant indirect effect on intention nor a significant direct effect on perceived behavioral control. After removing PBC, the model accounted for 58.7% of variance in intention. Believing there are no major disadvantages associated with daily SSB consumption was the most significant predictor of positive attitude towards serving SSBs to preschoolers. Parents of young children and doctors both significantly predicted subjective norm. Nurses and other health care professionals can use these findings to tailor behaviorally-based obesity prevention programs at the individual, family, and community-based levels.