Beverage intake in low-income parent–child dyads

Beverage consumption adds to daily energy intake and often exceeds the recommended amount for discretionary energy. Previous research has shown that children are consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in greater frequency and the relationship between parent–child dyads in beverage consumption is meaningful due to the parental influence on the development of beverage consumption behaviors. In particular, low-income families are at greater risk for obesity and higher levels of SSB consumption. The current investigation assessed habitual beverage intake among low-income parent–child dyads (N = 95) with children between the ages of 9–17 years. The sample (46% African American; 45% Caucasian) had a mean body mass index (BMI) for the parents of 31.8 ± 8.9 kg/m2, while the mean BMI percentile for age and gender for the children was 70.3 ± 31.3. Both parents and children consumed fewer nutrient-dense beverages and more energy-dense beverages than the recommended amount. The mean daily energy intake from beverages was 451 ± 236 kcal for the parents and 457 ± 237 kcal for the children. Correlations between parent–child dyad intake was also evident, identifying parents as potential role models and gatekeepers of the home food environment. Future interventions to prevent childhood obesity in low-income populations should address beverage intake, particularly SSB consumption, and determine the degree to which this behavior is learned behavior in the home.

► Both low-income parents and children consumed greater amounts of energy dense, nutrient poor beverages than recommended.
► Parents and children also consumed lower amounts of more healthful beverages.
► Correlated parent–child beverage consumption demonstrates a shared social and physical home environment.
► More empirical data is needed to explore beverage intake behaviors in low-income populations.