Availability Of Soft Drinks Research Articles

Associations between household food environment and daily intake of regular and diet soft drinks per BMI status of European children: Feel4Diabetes Study.

The objective of this study was to investigate how the availability of food in the household environment is associated with a daily intake of regular and diet soft drinks in European children, considering BMI status. This cross-sectional study utilised baseline data from 12 211 schoolchildren participating in the Feel4Diabetes European lifestyle modification intervention. Sociodemographics, soft drink intake and household food availability data were collected using parent-completed questionnaires. Anthropometry was recorded, and children were classified into BMI categories according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis controlled for children's sex, mother's BMI, and educational level, frequent household availability of fruit juice (sugar added), regular soft drinks and salty snacks compared to less frequent were positively associated with daily regular soft drink intake in children, regardless of BMI group (ORs range 1.59-6.69). Conversely, frequent availability of fruit juice (no added sugar) was inversely related to regular soft drink intake in both BMI groups, as was the availability of fresh fruit in the overweight/obesity group, and the availability of diet soft drinks in the underweight/normal-weight (ORs range 0.31-0.54). In conclusion, habitual household availability of selected energy-dense foods/beverages was positively associated with a daily intake of regular soft drinks in European children, regardless of BMI status. Contrastingly, household availability of fresh fruit, fruit juice (no added sugar) and diet soft drinks were inversely associated with regular soft drink intake. Programmes focusing on reducing children's soft drink intake should consider reducing the availability of sugar-added beverages in the household food environment and encouraging water consumption, as a practical, healthier alternative suggestion.

Can food parenting practices explain the association between parental education and children's food intake? The Feel4Diabetes-study.

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of food parenting practices (FPP), including home availability of different types of foods and drinks, parental modelling of fruit intake, permissiveness and the use of food as a reward in the relationship between parental education and dietary intake in European children. Single mediation analyses were conducted to explore whether FPP explain associations between parents' educational level and children's dietary intake measured by a parent-reported FFQ. Six European countries. Parent-child dyads (n 6705, 50·7 % girls, 88·8 % mothers) from the Feel4Diabetes-study. Children aged 8·15 ± 0·96 years were included. Parental education was associated with children's higher intake of water, fruits and vegetables and lower intake of sugar-rich foods and savoury snacks. All FPP explained the associations between parental education and dietary intake to a greater or lesser extent. Specifically, home availability of soft drinks explained 59·3 % of the association between parental education and sugar-rich food intake. Home availability of fruits and vegetables was the strongest mediators in the association between parental education and fruit and vegetable consumption (77·3 % and 51·5 %, respectively). Regarding savoury snacks, home availability of salty snacks and soft drinks was the strongest mediators (27·6 % and 20·8 %, respectively). FPP mediate the associations between parental education and children's dietary intake. This study highlights the importance of addressing FPP in future interventions targeting low-educated populations.

Market heterogeneity and the distributional incidence of soft-drink taxes: evidence from France

Abstract Market heterogeneity may affect the distributional incidence of nutritional taxes if households sort by income across markets with different characteristics. We use scanner data to analyse the distributional incidence of the 2012 French soda tax on Exact Price Indices that measure consumer welfare from the price and availability of soft-drinks at a local level. While the average pass-through was small—about 45 per cent—, tax incidence was significantly higher in low-income and less-competitive markets. Market heterogeneity ultimately has substantial distributional effects: it accounts for at least 33 per cent of the difference in welfare variation between low- and high-income consumers.

Do junk food bans in school really reduce childhood overweight? Evidence from Brazil

Childhood overweight and obesity have increased alarmingly in recent decades all over the world, particularly in middle-income countries like Brazil, Mexico and China. In response to the obesity epidemic, several states and governments have introduced restrictions on sales of high-calorie low-nutrient-dense foods and beverages in schools. However, most school canteens around the world continue to offer such unhealthy products. The lack of clear evidence about the impacts of junk food/beverage availability on childhood overweight potentially contributes to delaying the application of regulatory policies. In fact, sales of junk food represent an important source of revenues for schools, especially in contexts of budgetary pressure. Based on a representative sample of Brazilian middle school students, this article takes advantage of local initiatives that began in 2001 aimed at banning sales of junk food and beverages in schools. Among other effects, instrumental variables estimates show that in-school soft drink availability increases male BMI and overweight risk. As expected, the impacts tend to be stronger on non-poor students. No effect was found for girls, probably because of voluntary substitutions with healthier foods to control total calorie intakes and limit weight gain. Alarmingly, in-school junk food/beverage availability is positively correlated with overall junk food/beverage consumption and negatively correlated with overall healthy food intakes. In conclusion, this article provides clear evidence that banning sales of unhealthy products in schools is a useful tool to fight against the worldwide increase in childhood overweight, even in middle-income countries.

Soft Drink Consumption and its Influence on BMI and Academic Performance among Selected School Children in Dhaka City of Bangladesh

Soft drink refers to sugar-sweetened beverages that contain a natural or artificial flavoring. Daily soft drinks consumption in children is an unhealthy lifestyle behavior that demands special attention to maintain their healthy lives. The present study was aimed to examine the consumption of soft drink and its influence on BMI, and academic performance among selected school children in Dhaka City of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was nested among 600 randomly selected young school-aged children (6-17 years, both boys and girls) from the six English Medium schools in Dhaka city of Bangladesh. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect the data using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were done using SPSS 20.0. Results showed that about 48% of the school children consumed soft drinks regularly. Raised weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) was higher among regular soft drink consumers compared to their counterparts (p<0.05). Study revealed that girls (49%) consumed more artificial color soft drinks than boys (30%). On bivariate analysis, the availability (p<0.01) and accessibility of soft drinks (p<0.01), peer influence (p<0.01), low price (p<0.01) and advertisement (p<0.01) were established to be significant determinants for soft drink consumption among the young school students. Study findings showed that academic performance was better among non-consumers of soft drinks (p<0.001). The overall consumption of soft drinks is alarming among school children and its influence on increasing BMI and decreasing academic performance. The high consumption of soft drinks deserve due attention to avoid the development of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, well coordinated health education programs are recommended to minimize the consumption of soft drinks among school children.

Customer Preference Towards Soft Drinks In Chennai

Enthusiasm for soft drinks utilization has expanded after a sensational ascent in admission over late years. Research to date has concentrated principally on general patterns in utilization or on understanding the component by which soda pop utilization might be connected to weight gain. Throughout the years, various investigations have been led into the connections between soda pop admission and therapeutic issues, the aftereffects of which, nonetheless, remain exceptionally challenged. In any case, subsequently, expanding accentuation is being put on the wellbeing properties of soda pops, by both the business and the shoppers, for instance, in the extending zone of utilitarian beverages. Broad enactment has been set up to guarantee that soda pops makers adjust to set up national and universal measures. Shoppers assume that the sodas they purchase are protected and their quality is ensured. This paper gives an expansive diagram of accessible logical learning and refers to various investigations on different parts of sodas and their suggestions for wellbeing security. Specific consideration is given to fixings, including fake flavorings, colorings, and additives and to the lesser known dangers of microbiological and concoction sullying amid handling and capacity. Descriptive research on customer preference towards soft drinks in Chennai. Convenient sampling method is used in this study to collect the sample.1450 samples are recorded. The independent variables used are age, gender, educational qualifications, monthly income, and area. The dependent variables used are soft drinks brands, consumption of carbonate drinks, price of fresh juice, availability of soft drinks. The objective is to understand the factors affecting customer preference towards soft drink. The statistics used are independent sample t test, correlation, chi square test. It is concluded that Therefore the marketeer ought to comprehend the strategies to activate the soft drinks items among the buyers.

Healthy eating determinants and dietary patterns in European adolescents: the HELENA study

ABSTRACTBackground/Objectives: To assess dietary patterns (DPs) in European adolescents and to examine their relationship with healthy eating determinants.Subject/Methods: A total of 2205 European adolescents, aged 12.5–17.5 years, were measured. A self-reported questionnaire was completed and dietary intake was measured by 24 h-dietary recalls. Principal component analysis was performed to obtain DPs. Analyses of covariance was used to examine the associations.Results: Four DPs for boys and six DPs for girls were obtained. Boys with healthier DPs, i.e. “plant-based” and “breakfast”, had lower availability of soft drinks at home, higher perception of benefits of healthy eating and higher awareness of what is a healthy diet. Girls with healthy DPs (“Mediterranean”, “plant-based”, “healthy breakfast”) had significantly higher fruits and lower soft drinks availability, higher perception of benefits, lower perception of barriers for a healthy eating and higher awareness of what is a healthy diet.Conclusion: Healthier DPs were related with availability of healthy foods, perceived benefits and awareness of the diet. In contrast, those with other patterns had lower availability of fruits and higher availability of soft drinks at home, no perception of the benefits of healthy eating and they were aware that their diet was not healthy.

Attitude towards soft drinks and its consumption pattern: a study of Gen Y consumers of India

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the consumption patterns and attitudes towards soft drinks among Indian youth.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was used to investigate consumption patterns, attitudes, and socio-demographic profiles of college-attending respondents between the ages of 18 and 30. Cluster analysis and factor analysis were undertaken to obtain a better understanding of the attitudes among young consumers towards soft drinks. A logistic regression model was used as a predictor to distinguish between frequent and non-frequent soft drink consumers.FindingsIndian youths preferred diet drinks and fruit juices more than regular soft drinks. Soft drinks were mostly consumed as distinct drinks (not as substitutes) and on specific occasions. Easy availability of soft drinks at the locations closure to consumers was a critical factor in determining consumers’ purchase and consumption level. Attitude towards the utility and nutritional dimensions of soft drinks had a positive and significant influence on the frequency of consumption.Practical implicationsTo remain competitive, soft drinks’ companies need to focus more on healthy products and those that are refreshing and relaxing.Social implicationsRegulating the availability of soft drinks in and around educational institutions will affect consumption of soft drinks and reduce diseases.Originality/valueOnly a few studies investigating consumption patterns and attitudes among Indian youth towards soft drinks. This study attempts to fill the gap.

Association of individual and neighborhood factors with home food availability: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

ObjectiveTo examine the association of the availability of home healthy and unhealthy foods and drinks (fruits, dark green vegetables, soft drink, salty snack and fat‐free/low‐fat milk) with individual and neighborhood factors using a nationally representative sample from 2001–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsData from the 2001–2006 waves of the continuous NHANES was merged with the 2000 census and other neighborhood data sources constructed using geographic information system (GIS). Associations of individual and neighborhood factors and home food availabilities were assessed using multilevel random‐intercept logistic regression models taking study design, weights, and covariates into account.ResultsThe analysis included 4353 adult participants aged 19–65 years who had home food availability data. Both family income‐to‐needs ratio and neighborhood tract socioeconomic status (SES) scores were positively associated with home fruit, dark green vegetable and fat‐free/low‐fat milk availabilities (Ps<0.05). Participants having a college degree or above were more likely to have home fruits (P=0.0007) and fat‐free/low‐fat milk (P<0.0001) available and less likely to have home salty snack (P=0.017) and soft drinks (P<0.0001) available relative to those without a college degree. Soft drink availability was not associated with family income‐to‐needs ratio and neighborhood tract SES scores. BMI was positively associated with fat‐free/low‐fat milk availability in the home (P=0.005) but was not associated with the availabilities of other examined foods or drinks.ConclusionsThe availabilities of home healthy and unhealthy foods and drinks are mainly associated with SES at individual and neighborhood level.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant R01CA140319– 01A1

Caries and dental erosion: are Soroti children and adolescents at risk from increased soft-drink availability in Uganda?

An initial field study to investigate dental caries and dental erosion in children and adolescents in the community of Soroti, Uganda. A stratified two-stage cluster sample of 84 children (ages 8-10) and adolescents (ages 16-19) were recruited. A survey was undertaken to assess the state of determinants of oral health, oral hygiene practices, and soft-drink and sweetened-tea consumption. Intra-oral photographs were taken and reviewed to measure Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and dental erosion. A significant difference was observed in DMFT between children and adolescents (3.7 ± 2.7 versus 2.1 ± 2.4 p=.02). A trend of lower erosion scores was seen in children compared to adolescents. Greater frequency of sweetened-tea consumption over soft-drinks was noted in both groups. This study did not reveal any relationship between different levels of cariogenic beverage consumption and DMFT or dental erosion in this sample group.

Factors associated with high consumption of soft drinks among Australian secondary-school students.

To examine demographic and behavioural correlates of high consumption of soft drinks (non-alcoholic sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks excluding energy drinks) among Australian adolescents and to explore the associations between high consumption and soft drink perceptions and accessibility. Cross-sectional self-completion survey and height and weight measurements. Australian secondary schools. Students aged 12-17 years participating in the 2012-13 National Secondary Students' Diet and Activity (NaSSDA) survey (n 7835). Overall, 14 % of students reported consuming four or more cups (≥1 litres) of soft drinks each week ('high soft drink consumers'). Demographic factors associated with high soft drink consumption were being male and having at least $AU 40 in weekly spending money. Behavioural factors associated with high soft drink consumption were low fruit intake, consuming energy drinks on a weekly basis, eating fast foods at least once weekly, eating snack foods ≥14 times/week, watching television for >2 h/d and sleeping for <8 h/school night. Students who perceived soft drinks to be usually available in their home, convenient to buy and good value for money were more likely to be high soft drink consumers, as were students who reported usually buying these drinks when making a beverage purchase from the school canteen/vending machine. High soft drink consumption clusters with other unhealthy lifestyle behaviours among Australian secondary-school students. Interventions focused on reducing the availability of soft drinks (e.g. increased taxes, restricting their sale in schools) as well as improved education on their harms are needed to lower adolescents' soft drink intake.

DietaryPatternsofEuropeanChildrenandTheir ParentsinAssociationwithFamilyFood Environment:ResultsfromtheI.FamilyStudy.

The aim of this study was to determine whether an association exists between children’s and parental dietary patterns (DP), and whether the number of shared meals or soft drink availability during meals strengthens this association. In 2013/2014 the I.Family study cross-sectionally assessed the dietary intakes of families from eight European countries using 24-h dietary recalls. Usual energy and food intakes from six- to 16-year-old children and their parents were estimated based on the NCI Method. A total of 1662 child–mother and 789 child–father dyads were included; DP were derived using cluster analysis. We investigated the association between children’s and parental DP and whether the number of shared meals or soft drink availability moderated this association using mixed effects logistic regression models. Three DP comparable in children and parents were obtained: Sweet & Fat, Refined Cereals, and Animal Products. Children were more likely to be allocated to the Sweet & Fat DP when their fathers were allocated to the Sweet & Fat DP and when they shared at least one meal per day (OR 3.18; 95% CI 1.84; 5.47). Being allocated to the Sweet & Fat DP increased when the mother or the father was allocated to the Sweet & Fat DP and when soft drinks were available (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.80; 4.28 or OR 4.26; 95% CI 2.16; 8.41, respectively). Availability of soft drinks and negative parental role modeling are important predictors of children’s dietary patterns.

Screen-based sedentary time: Association with soft drink consumption and the moderating effect of parental education in European children: The ENERGY study.

AimThe aim of the present study was to explore if children who spend more time on screen-based sedentary behaviors (i.e.TV viewing and computer use) drink more sugar-sweetened soft drinks. The study also assessed whether these associations were independent of individual and home environmental correlates of soft drink consumption and whether they were moderated by parental education.MethodsData were collected from 7886 children participating in the EuropeaN Energy balance Research to prevent excessive weight Gain among Youth (ENERGY) survey conducted in eight European countries. Self-report questionnaires were used. Multilevel linear regression analyses with soft drink consumption as dependent variable, TV viewing and computer use as independent variables and age, gender, parental education, attitude towards soft drinks, self-efficacy, parental modelling, parental rules and home availability of soft drinks as covariates were conducted. Further interactions were tested to explore if these associations were moderated by parental education. Country-specific analyses were conducted.ResultsIn six of the eight included countries, a significant positive association was observed between TV viewing (min/day) and soft drink consumption (ml/day), independent of individual and home environmental correlates of soft drink consumption (B = 0.46 (0.26–0.66) in Greece, B = 0.77 (0.36–1.17) in Norway, B = 0.82 (0.12–1.51) in Hungary, B = 1.06 (0.67–1.46) in Spain, B = 1.21 (0.67–1.74) in Belgium and B = 1.49 (0.72–2.27) in Switzerland). There was no significant association between computer use and soft drink consumption in six of the eight included countries in the final models. Moderation effects of parental education in the association between TV viewing and soft drink consumption were found in Norway and Hungary, the association being stronger among those with low parental education.ConclusionsTV viewing appears to be independently associated with soft drink consumption and this association was moderated by parental education in two countries only. Reducing TV time might therefore favorably impact soft drink consumption.

Family health climate scale (FHC-scale): development and validation

BackgroundThe family environment is important for explaining individual health behaviour. While previous research mostly focused on influences among family members and dyadic interactions (parent-child), the purpose of this study was to develop a new measure, the Family Health Climate Scale (FHC-Scale), using a family-based approach. The FHC is an attribute of the whole family and describes an aspect of the family environment that is related to health and health behaviour. Specifically, a questionnaire measuring the FHC (a) for nutrition (FHC-NU) and (b) for activity behaviour (FHC-PA) was developed and validated.MethodsIn Study 1 (N = 787) the FHC scales were refined and validated. The sample was randomly divided into two subsamples. With random sample I exploratory factor analyses were conducted and items were selected according to their psychometric quality. In a second step, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using the random sample II. In Study 2 (N = 210 parental couples) the construct validity was tested by correlating the FHC to self-determined motivation of healthy eating and physical activity as well as the families’ food environment and joint physical activities.ResultsExploratory factor analyses with random sample I (Study 1) revealed a four (FHC-NU) and a three (FHC-PA) factor model. These models were cross-validated with random sample II and demonstrated an acceptable fit [FHC-PA: χ2 = 222.69, df = 74, p < .01; χ2/df = 3.01; CFI = .96; SRMR = .04; RMSEA = .07, CI .06/.08; FHC-NU: χ2 = 278.30, df = 113, p < .01, χ2/df = 2.46, CFI = .96; SRMR = .04; RMSEA = .06, CI .05/.07]. The perception of FHC correlated (p < .01) with the intrinsic motivation of healthy eating (r = .42) and physical activity (r = .56). Moreover, parental perceptions of FHC-NU correlated with household soft drink availability (r = -.31) and perceptions of FHC-PA with the frequency of joint physical activities with the child (r = .51). These patterns were found on the intraindividual and interindividual level.ConclusionsTwo valid instruments measuring the FHC within families were developed. The use of different informants’ ratings demonstrated that the FHC is a family level variable. The results confirm the high relevance of the FHC for individuals’ health behaviour. The FHC and the measurement instruments are useful for examining health-related aspects of the family environment.

School soft drink availability and consumption among U.S. secondary students.

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) such as soft drinks has been associated with significantly increased energy intake and body weight. One strategy used to reduce soft drink consumption among adolescents has been reducing availability in schools; however, research is limited on associations between availability of soft drinks in school and student consumption. This study examines associations between regular and diet soft drink availability in schools and student consumption using data from 329 secondary schools and 9284 students. Data were obtained from two sources: (1) nationally representative cross-sectional samples of students in Grades 8, 10, and 12 from U.S. public and private schools in 2010 and 2011 in the Monitoring the Future study and (2) administrators of the same schools in the Youth, Education, and Society study. Multilevel modeling conducted in 2012 examined associations between school availability and student consumption controlling for student sociodemographics and school characteristics. In the total sample of more than 9000 students, regular and diet soft drink availability in school was not related to student consumption of these beverages in multivariate models. Yet, among African-American high school students, school regular and diet soft drink availability was significantly related to higher daily consumption (both before and after controlling for student and school factors). Although removal of soft drinks from schools may not result in significantly lower overall student consumption, such actions may result in significant decreases in soft drink consumption for specific student groups.

A National Evaluation of the Impact of State Policies on Competitive Foods in Schools

Since 2003, many states have introduced policies to improve the nutritional content and restrict the availability of competitive foods, which are foods offered outside of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. This article evaluates the impact of 2 types of state-level policies on the availability of competitive foods in a national sample of schools. Annual state-level data on limits, which restrict the time or venue of competitive foods sales, and standards, which regulate the nutrient content of competitive foods, was obtained from the Trust for America's Health and mapped to a national sample from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study who were in fifth grade in 2004 and eighth grade in 2007. A logistic regression model with child fixed effects tested the association between policy enactments and changes in reported availability of competitive foods in schools. The analyses controlled for child and school characteristics. Nineteen states introduced a standard or a limit between 2004 and 2007. After adjusting for child and school characteristics, standards were associated with lower child-reported availability of soft drinks (16.5%, p < .001), low-nutrient snacks (22.0%, p < .05), and sweets (18.1%, p < .001). The impact of limits was not statistically significant. Standards introduced between 2004 and 2007 were associated with a decline in the availability of soft drinks, low-nutrient snacks, and sweets as reported by a national sample of children. School compliance with state competitive food policies may increase over time. Research on the impact of existing state policies could inform the development of a national policy to regulate competitive foods in schools.

The relationship between parental education and adolescents' soft drink intake from the age of 11–13 years, and possible mediating effects of availability and accessibility

The present study examined the prospective relationship between parental education and adolescents' soft drink intake over 20 months, and possible mediating effects of adolescents' availability and accessibility of soft drinks at home. A total of 866 adolescents, with data on two time points in the Norwegian HEalth In Adolescents (HEIA) cohort study (2007-9), were included in the analyses. Data on intake and determinants of soft drinks were collected from adolescents and both parents by questionnaires. Mediation analyses using linear regression investigated the total and direct effects of parental education on adolescents' soft drink intake from the age of 11-13 years. In order to investigate prospective relationships, two models were set up to measure the (1) prediction and (2) change in consumption over 20 months. Possible mediation effects of availability and perceived accessibility at home were further examined in both models. The results showed that a lower level of parental education predicted a higher intake of soft drinks among adolescents after 20 months, and that higher perceived accessibility of soft drinks reported by adolescents and mothers explained 39 % of the total effect. No relationship was observed between parental education and the change in adolescents' intake of soft drinks over 20 months. Interventions aimed at families with low parental education should target the perceived accessibility of soft drinks at home in order to diminish social differences in adolescents' soft drink consumption.

Does the availability of snack foods in supermarkets vary internationally?

BackgroundCross-country differences in dietary behaviours and obesity rates have been previously reported. Consumption of energy-dense snack foods and soft drinks are implicated as contributing to weight gain, however little is known about how the availability of these items within supermarkets varies internationally. This study assessed variations in the display of snack foods and soft drinks within a sample of supermarkets across eight countries.MethodsWithin-store audits were used to evaluate and compare the availability of potato chips (crisps), chocolate, confectionery and soft drinks. Displays measured included shelf length and the proportion of checkouts and end-of-aisle displays containing these products. Audits were conducted in a convenience sample of 170 supermarkets across eight developed nations (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom (UK), and United States of America (US)).ResultsThe mean total aisle length of snack foods (adjusted for store size) was greatest in supermarkets from the UK (56.4 m) and lowest in New Zealand (21.7 m). When assessed by individual item, the greatest aisle length devoted to chips, chocolate and confectionery was found in UK supermarkets while the greatest aisle length dedicated to soft drinks was in Australian supermarkets. Only stores from the Netherlands (41%) had less than 70% of checkouts featuring displays of snack foods or soft drinks.ConclusionWhilst between-country variations were observed, overall results indicate high levels of snack food and soft drinks displays within supermarkets across the eight countries. Exposure to snack foods is largely unavoidable within supermarkets, increasing the likelihood of purchases and particularly those made impulsively.

Family- and school-based predictors of energy balance-related behaviours in children: a 6-year longitudinal study.

To examine family- and school-based predictors of breakfast consumption, soft drink consumption and physical activity (PA) and moderating effects of gender and socio-economic status (SES). Longitudinal study (6-year follow-up), including a questionnaire about dietary and activity behaviour. Fifty-nine Flemish elementary schools. Seven hundred and twenty-seven children (51·9 % girls, 51·9 % high SES, mean age 9·9 (sd 0·4) years at baseline). Having breakfast together with parents (P < 0·001) at age 10 years related to more days of eating breakfast at age 16 years. More parental soft drink consumption (P = 0·04), less soft drink availability at home (P < 0·001) and less parental permissiveness (children received soft drinks from their parents whenever they asked for it and children could take soft drinks whenever they wanted; P = 0·02 and P = 0·001, respectively) at age 10 years related to less soft drink consumption at age 16 years. A more positive parental attitude towards PA (P = 0·009), more parental encouragement (P = 0·002) and a higher rating of PA's benefit 'relaxing' (P < 0·001) at age 10 years related to more PA at age 16 years. Gender and SES did not significantly moderate any of the associations. Only parental factors at age 10 years were associated with breakfast consumption, soft drink consumption and PA at age 16 years. An intervention programme at age 10 years with a strong focus on the modifiable parental factors might lead to healthy behaviour in the long term.

The availability of snack food displays that may trigger impulse purchases in Melbourne supermarkets

BackgroundSupermarkets play a major role in influencing the food purchasing behaviours of most households. Snack food exposures within these stores may contribute to higher levels of consumption and ultimately to increasing levels of obesity, particularly within socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. We aimed to examine the availability of snack food displays at checkouts, end-of-aisle displays and island displays in major supermarket chains in the least and most socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Melbourne.MethodsWithin-store audits of 35 Melbourne supermarkets. Supermarkets were sampled from the least and most socioeconomically disadvantaged suburbs within 30 km of the Melbourne CBD. We measured the availability of crisps, chocolate, confectionery, and soft drinks (diet and regular) at the checkouts, in end-of-aisle displays, and in island bin displays.ResultsSnack food displays were most prominent at checkouts with only five stores not having snack foods at 100% of their checkouts. Snack foods were also present at a number of end-of-aisle displays (at both the front (median 38%) and back (median 33%) of store), and in island bin displays (median number of island displays: 7; median total circumference of island displays: 19.4 metres). Chocolate items were the most common snack food item on display. There was no difference in the availability of these snack food displays by neighbourhood disadvantage.ConclusionsAs a result of the high availability of snack food displays, exposure to snack foods is almost unavoidable in Melbourne supermarkets, regardless of levels of neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage. Results of this study could promote awareness of the prominence of unhealthy food items in chain-brand supermarkets outlets.