What's in Your Drink? Poster Educates Families About Sugar Content and Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

ObjectiveDrinking sugar-sweetened beverages is a risk factor for developing childhood obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study investigated the impact of an educational poster in pediatric offices on family's knowledge of sugar content in beverages and assessed awareness of NAFLD. DesignPreclinic visit surveys asked patients’ caregivers about the sugar content in beverages and awareness of NAFLD. Postclinic visit surveys assessed improvement in knowledge of sugar content and willingness to change dietary habits. SettingOutpatient visits in a single center in Houston between September and November 2019. ParticipantsOne hundred and forty-nine caregivers were surveyed, and patients’ median age was 5.5 years (range, 0–18 years) with 57% males. InterventionEducational posters displayed the sugar content of common beverages in each clinic room. Main Outcome MeasuresOutcomes measured included pre-post clinic visit change and predictors of change in (1) knowledge of sugar content in beverages and (2) intent to change beverage consumption. Baseline awareness of NAFLD and associated predictors were also assessed. AnalysisLogistic regression identified factors associated with an intended change in beverage consumption, change in survey score, and NAFLD awareness. ResultsIncreased knowledge of sugar content with median scores of 25% preclinic to 50% postclinic (P < 0.001). Eighty-eight percent of caregivers were very/moderately likely to provide their children fewer sugar-sweetened beverages. Sixty percent of caregivers were aware of NAFLD, but only 32.8% were concerned. Conclusions and ImplicationsPosters in clinics increased awareness of the sugar content in beverages, and most caregivers reported intent to decrease children's sugary beverage consumption.