Parental Influences on Sugar Sweetened Beverages intakes among Preschoolers in New Orleans

Background

Sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major contributor to childhood obesity. Parental influences may affect SSBs intake among children. This study aimed to examine whether parents’ knowledge, attitudes and behavioral patterns of SSBs are associated with SSBs intake among pre-school children in New Orleans.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted among 51 pairs of parents and children from four day-care centers in the greater New Orleans area. Information on children’s SSBs intake, parents’ knowledge, attitudes and behavioral patterns of SSBs were collected through survey questionnaires. Chi-square tests were used for the analysis.

Results

14% of children had≥2 times of soda per week. 49% of children had≥2 times per week of sweetened fruit drinks. 15% of children had≥2 times of sport drinks per week. There were significant associations between parental consumption of SSBs in all categories (sodas, sweetened fruit drinks and sport drinks) and children’s consumption (all P-value <.01). Parents’ attitudes on SSBs were significantly associated with children’s soda intake (p=0.0004) and marginally associated with children’s sweetened fruit drink intake (p=0.07).

Conclusion

Parental behavioral and attitudes on SSBs may affect SSBs intake among pre-school children. Opportunities exist to alter parents’ attitudes and behaviors towards SSBs in order to decrease children's SSBs consumption.