Spill-proof Beverage Container Usage among Young WIC-enrolled Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Dental Public Health
• Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited research exists on spill-proof beverage container (SPBC) usage among young children.
• Understanding beverage consumption habits is crucial for preventing early childhood caries, especially in high-risk populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between daytime SPBC use for sugared beverages and caries risk.
• To explore relationships with socioeconomic status and other factors in children aged 12–49 months enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of baseline data from 415 Iowa WIC-enrolled children.
• Mothers completed questionnaires on socioeconomic status and child's beverage consumption.
• Dental examinations assessed caries using d1d2.3 criteria; logistic regression analyzed SPBC use for sugared beverages.

Main Results:

• Only 4% of children used SPBCs for sugared beverages at night, compared to 70% during the day.
• Daytime SPBC use for sugared drinks was less common in older children (P<.001).
• African American children were less likely to use SPBCs for sugared beverages compared to Hispanic (P>.001) and Caucasian (P=.001) children.

Conclusions:

• Iowa WIC children predominantly use SPBCs for sugared beverages during daytime hours.
• Younger children, and those of Hispanic or Caucasian ethnicity, showed a higher likelihood of using SPBCs for sugared beverage consumption.