Exploring Sugary Drink Consumption and Perceptions among Primary-School-Aged Children and Parents in Australia

By:
Zenobia Talati, Jessica Charlesworth, Katlyn Mackenzie, Thomas McAlpine, Gael Myers, Caroline Miller, Liyuwork M. Dana, Moira O’Connor, Barbara A. Mullan, Helen G. Dixon​
Date:
2024
Resource type:
Blogs/news/opinion
Link:

This study examined sugary drink consumption among Australian children aged 4–11 and their parents. Surveying 1,611 parent–child pairs, the research revealed that parental consumption was the strongest predictor of children’s sugary drink intake, outweighing children's own perceptions of healthiness and taste. The findings stress the need for family-based education programs to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in children, addressing both parental behavior and perceptions.

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