The association of sugar‐sweetened beverage intake during infancy with sugar‐sweetened beverage intake at six years of age (811.16)

Abstract

Sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) intake is associated with adverse health consequences including obesity and dental caries. Due to limited information on associations between SSB intake during infancy and intake of SSBs in childhood, we examined this question using longitudinal data for 1333 U.S. children from the 2005‐2007 Infant Feeding Practices Study II and the 2012 Follow‐up Study at 6 years of age. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for associations of SSB intake during infancy with consuming SSBs 蠅1 time/day at 6 years old after controlling for baseline characteristics. Based on maternal report, one‐fifth of children consumed SSBs at least 1 time/day at 6 years. The adjusted odds of consuming SSBs at 6 years 蠅1 time/day was significantly (p<0.05) higher among infants with any SSB intake during infancy vs. none (aOR=2.22), SSB introduction at <6 months (aOR=2.01) or 蠅6 months (aOR=2.33) vs. never, and mean SSB intake between 10 and 12 months of age (aOR=2.72 for 1‐<2 times/week, and 2.57 for 蠅3 times/week, vs. none). SSB intake during infancy significantly increased the likelihood of consuming SSBs 蠅1 time/day at 6 years of age. Our findings suggest that infancy may be an important time for mothers to establish healthy beverage practices for their children and these findings can be used to inform intervention efforts to reduce SSB intake among children.