Infant sugar sweetened beverage and 100% juice consumption: Racial/ethnic differences and links with fathers'...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Public Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and 100% juice before 12 months of age is not recommended.
• Early beverage consumption patterns can influence long-term health outcomes.
• Understanding racial/ethnic disparities in infant beverage intake is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine racial/ethnic differences in SSB and 100% juice consumption among infants at 6 and 12 months of age.
• To investigate the association between fathers' and infants' beverage consumption patterns.
• To inform culturally responsive interventions for promoting healthy infant beverage choices.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal cohort study analyzing data from infants and their parents recruited between 2016-2018.
• Maternal reports of infant beverage consumption (SSB and 100% juice) at 6 and 12 months of age.
• Statistical models adjusted for income, education, race/ethnicity, and maternal beverage consumption.

Main Results:

• At 12 months, 31% of infants consumed 100% juice and 7% consumed SSB.
• Black/African American and Hispanic infants were significantly more likely to consume both 100% juice and SSB compared to non-Hispanic white and Asian infants.
• Infant consumption of 100% juice and SSB at 12 months was associated with high paternal consumption in unadjusted models, but this association diminished after covariate adjustment.

Conclusions:

• Significant racial/ethnic disparities exist in infant consumption of SSBs and 100% juice.
• Interventions should be culturally tailored and target both mothers and fathers to promote healthy beverage habits from infancy.
• Early intervention is critical to address unhealthy beverage consumption patterns and reduce associated health risks.