315 - Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among Hispanic Parents

Background: Hispanics and Latinos are the second-largest racial group, and dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease ( Fleming, et all, 2018). Sugary drinks contain added sugars, provide little nutritional value, and increase dental disease risk. ( Munsell, et al, 2015). Water, milk, and early brushing with fluoridated toothpaste are protective against caries. (Levy et al, 2003).  Many parents provide sugary drinks and mistakenly believe some are healthy, highlighting the need for parent education ( Munsell et al, 2015).

Purpose: This study examined the knowledge and attitudes of caregivers of school-aged Hispanic children towards sugar sweetened beverages.   

Methodology: A 24-item questionnaire was administered to caregivers of children aged 4–12 years served at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Patient caries risk was determined using AAPD guidelines.

Results: A total130 parents/guardians completed the survey; most were married (67%), mothers (83%) and worked full time (53%) while few had high school education or less (39%). Children were primarily insured by Medicaid (76%) and attended public schools (53%). Fifty-eight percent were classified as high-caries risk (HCR) while 24% were low-caries risk (LCR), with lower caregiver education more common in the HCRgroup (50%) than LCR group(32%). Plain water, milk, 100% juice, fruit drinks/iced teas, and regular/diet sodas were the most frequently consumed beverages, with bottled water preferred over tap(P=.009). HCR children consumed fruit drinks/iced teas significantly more often (P=.037). LCR children consumed less soda, although not statistically significant;their parents consideredsoda more harmful than did parents of high-CR children (P=0.127). Caregivers in both groups identified sugar content as their main concern and nutritional value as the most important factor in beverage selection.Milk, 100% juice and sodas were more often provided at home than in school (P <.001, P=.027 and P=.005, respectively)for HCR children but not for LCR children.

Conclusion: Despite caregivers’ expressed preference for healthy beverages, sugar-sweetened beverage intake remains elevated among HCR children. Targeted education is needed to improve dietary choices and reduce caries risk in Hispanic children.