Beverage consumption among school‐age children of different race/ethnic backgrounds from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Abstract

Beverage choices are a way to improve children's diets and reduce race/ethnic disparities given their contribution to calorie and nutrient intakes in the U.S. Beverage intakes and associated calories and nutrients were examined using NHANES 2009–2010 for non‐Hispanic white (NHW), non‐Hispanic black (NHB) and Hispanic American (HA) children 6–17 y (n=2,129) with reliable Day 1 24‐hr recalls. NHB (57% of children) are least likely to drink milk and those that do drink 2–3 oz./d less than NHW or HA (p<0.01). While NHW are most likely to drink milk (p<0.01), 30% do not drink any milk. All milk drinkers consume <2 cups/d on average. NHB are most likely to consume fruit drinks (49% vs. 34% HA, 28% NHW; p<0.01), consuming 13.8 oz./d, but are least likely to drink soda (35%; p<0.05). Half of NHW drink soda, and they consume the largest amounts (18.6 oz./d; p<0.05). NHW are least likely to drink 100% fruit juice (24% vs. 44% NHB, 41% HA; p<0.01). For milk drinkers, milk contributes 62–66% of total daily vitamin D, 37–41% of calcium and 22–27% of potassium intakes, while providing 11–12% of calories. For those who drink soda and fruit drinks, these beverages supply 39–46 and 28–36% of added sugar and 9 and 7–9% of calorie intakes, respectively. There is room to improve beverage habits for all race/ethnic groups, which will help improve intakes of nutrients of concern for school‐age kids. Supported by the Dairy Research Institute/National Dairy Council.