Five-Year Trends in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Mothers, Teenagers, Children From SNAP-Ed Eligible Households Indicate Increased Intake Among Children

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Previously we reported improved dietary intake from 2015 to 2017 for fruits and vegetables, water, and Healthy Eating Index-2015 scores for mothers, teenagers, and children from households eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Education Program-Education (SNAP-Ed). Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSBs) consumption was unchanged during this three-year period across age groups. Our objective was to now examine trends in SSB intake with data from 2018 and 2019. Methods Cross-sectional surveys of mothers and their teenager or child were conducted from 2015 to 2019. Respondents were randomly sampled from households with reported incomes ≤185% of the federal poverty level. A study introduction letter in English or Spanish was sent to sampled households. Next, bilingual staff confirmed by phone household eligibility, the youngest mother (or caregiver), and one teenager (12 to 17 years) or child (5 to 11 years). During the subsequent interviews, staff administered the Automated Self-administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) in English or Spanish. The quantity and size of each reported food or beverage item was determined by asking mothers to reference pictures in a portion-size booklet or measuring cups or spoons previously mailed to each household. The procedures were replicated to obtain 24-hour dietary information from the teenager or child. Daily SSB intake was converted to ounces and regressed on year of survey with the covariates age, education for mothers, and gender for children. Significance of difference between means was adjusted by Bonferroni. Results Participants over the five-year period were 22,827 mothers, 5855 teenagers, and 10,778 children. Most (64.2%, 69.2%, and 67.9%) survey participants were Latinx. The trend for SSB intake for children was significant, with ounces per day increasing from 5.7 in 2017 to 7.3 in 2018 and 7.9 in 2019 (P = 0.0055). Conclusions A previous study found that, despite improvements across dietary behaviors, SSB intake was unchanged among mothers and children from SNAP-Ed eligible households. This follow-up study adds two years of data and findings indicate that children's SSB intake has increased. Findings suggest a need for interventions and policy work addressing children's SSB intake. Funding Sources California Department of Social Services.