Family Meals and Neighborhood Food Resources Influence on Intake of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Added Sugars among Parents and Adolescents in Rural Counties

Abstract

Purpose: Determine the influence that family meals; neighborhood food resources; and store selection within a weekly travel pattern has on dietary outcomes. Design: A cross-sectional survey with real time assessment of weekly travel patterns Setting: Four counties in Kentucky and Ohio, United States in fall 2013 Subjects: Adolescents, ages 13-18, and a primary caregiver who conducted at least 25% of the food shopping Measures: To measure family meals, eating out behaviors, and dietary intake (n=154) a phone survey was used. A sub-sample of adolescents and primary care givers (n=75) wore a global positioning system (GPS) device and completed a travel log to identify travel patterns and food resources accessible in their daily lives. Analysis: To test for individual level effects on dietary outcomes, linear regression was used Results: Parents who consumed fast-food for dinner 1 time per week consumed 14.18 tsp more of added sugar compared to those who never consumed fast-food for dinner. Adolescents whose parents purchased fast-food for dinner at least one day or more on the weekends consumed more added sugars and sugars from SSB. Lastly, those with convenience stores in their travel pattern consume more added sugars from SSB. Conclusion: Family meals remain a critical strategy for improving dietary intake. At the same time focusing on what is being served and where the food is being purchased from for the family meal is vital to improving intake.