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Parents are Top Influence on Soft-Drink Consumption Among Kids

September 10, 2004

Flavored, carbonated drinks have been around for about two hundred years. And their popularity continues to grow—overtaking more nutritious beverages among some age groups, especially children and adolescents.

In a recent study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers from the University of Minnesota surveyed 560 children ages 8 to 13 years old on how often they drank soft drinks and the factors that influence soft drink consumption.

Among other findings, researchers found:

• Parental soft drink intake has a stronger influence than children’s peers
• Approximately 30 percent of children reported drinking soft drinks daily and 85 percent reported they usually drink regular, not diet soft drinks
• The odds of drinking soft drinks almost daily was twice as likely for those who watched television 3.5 hours or more a day than those who watched less television
• The availability of soft drinks at home and the availability of soft drink vending machines in school were both strongly associated with children’s soft drink consumption.

Research has shown that parents are primary role models for kids and that includes their eating habits, too. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are consuming and encourage foods and beverages that are packed with nutrients. As your best guideline, be sure soft drinks are not crowding out water and other nutritious beverages like fruit juices and milk.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team