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What proportion of preschool-aged children consume sweetened beverages?

Jen Nickelson1, Jeannine C Lawrence, Jason M Parton

  • 1Assistant Professor, (jnickelson@ches.ua.edu), Department of Health Science, University of Alabama, PO Box 870311,Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0311.

The Journal of School Health
|January 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Childhood sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake increases with age. Early interventions are crucial, as parental self-efficacy is linked to consumption patterns in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health Interventions
  • Childhood Obesity Prevention

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern in the US.
  • Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a key target for obesity prevention strategies.
  • Parental influence is critical for SSB consumption in children aged 5 years and younger.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among children aged 5 years and younger.
  • To identify parental factors associated with children's SSB intake.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study utilizing parent-reported data for children aged 5 years and younger.
  • Employed Health Belief Model and Theory of Reasoned Action frameworks.
  • Analyzed SSB consumption patterns and associated parental psychosocial factors.

Main Results:

  • Child age was the strongest predictor of SSB intake.
  • High consumption rates observed for sweetened milk, fruity drinks, sodas, sports drinks, and sweet tea in children aged 3-5 years.
  • Parental self-efficacy was the only significant psychosocial factor associated with fruity drink consumption.

Conclusions:

  • SSB consumption escalates as children age, highlighting the need for early intervention.
  • Interventions should commence before preschool age to effectively curb SSB intake.
  • Further research into parental factors influencing early childhood SSB consumption is recommended.
Abstract

Keywords:
obesityparentspreschoolsoft drinkssweetened beverages

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