Parental perspectives towards sugar-sweetened beverages and polices: a qualitative study

Impact of Obesogenic Environments on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Preschoolers: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Beijing

The excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been proven to be critical for obesity among preschoolers. This study aimed to describe the SSB consumption rates among preschoolers in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, China, and to explore the association between obesogenic environmental determinants and consumption. We applied a stratified cluster sampling method and recruited 3057 primary caregivers of preschoolers in June 2019 to participate in the survey. The caregivers reported their children’s consumption rates of six categories of SSBs and their exposure rates to SSB-related obesogenic environments. The associations between them were tested using multivariate logistic regression models. The mean (SD) age of the children was 5.6 (0.6) years and nearly half (48.3%) were girls. About 84.5% of the children had consumed SSBs over the past three months, and sugar-sweetened milk beverages had the highest consumption rate. Higher exposure to advertisements for the corresponding SSB categories in children, higher frequency rates of consuming SSBs and of taking children to fast-food restaurants in caregivers, and lower frequency rates of reading the Nutrition Facts Panels by caregivers were associated with higher SSB consumption rates among children (p < 0.05 in all of the SSB categories investigated, except for the Nutrition Facts Panel reading behaviors for the sports and energy beverages). SSB consumption among preschoolers is of concern, and comprehensive policy actions and education are urgently needed.

Perspectives of Adult Singaporeans toward Potential Policies to Reduce the Consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages-A Cross-Sectional Study

Excessive consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) is of growing concern, and several countries are implementing measures to reduce SSB consumption. Understanding perceptions towards SSB policies is crucial to prioritize policy actions and to effectively frame public communication. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a sample of 754 adult Singaporeans to examine support towards 10 hypothetical policies to reduce SSB consumption. Policy scenarios were presented to participants and support was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Opinions about policies were elicited by asking participants "What other thoughts do you have about this policy?". We used logistic regression to examine determinants of policy support, and thematic analyses to understand opinions about policies. We observed good public support for a variety of SSB policies. In general, less restrictive policies such as traffic light labels (85.0% agreed/strongly agreed) and free access to water at eateries (77.1%) were better supported as compared to restrictive policies such as portion-size restrictions (64.5%) and taxation (55.0%). There was limited variation by age, ethnicity, income, physical activity and body mass index. Concerns about policies largely centered on loss of personal autonomy and economic implications for businesses. Nevertheless, participants also recognized that policies could support healthier beverage consumption by increasing awareness and enabling informed decision making. Findings from this study provide insights into consumer's perceptions of SSB policies, and can inform public health advocacy and government action in this area.